“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Ps 90:17): 2. The Ride

I suspect that some stories about miraculous help at the intercession of saints are factually incorrect. (Although, this does not necessarily mean that they are untrue, as there is a great deal of difference between what we presently consider to be facts and the Truth.) I myself have been the subject of such “fake news” at least on one occasion. It was reported on the “world wild web” that a child had been miraculously brought back from the dead by the intercessions of Saint John of Shanghai, and that I, utterly unworthy that I am, was somehow involved. This report was mostly factually incorrect.

There is one story, however, that is definitely worth remembering. Since there were other people involved, each one of them may recall things differently and add other details to this account. But I will write here that which I remember.

The names of the other characters in this story are hardly relevant here, but since I have to call them something, I shall call them Sam and Sima. Sam and Sima live quite far from our Mission dedicated to the memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco. Sima does not drive and relies on Sam for transportation.

October 12 was the Feast of the uncovering of the holy relics of Saint John, and our Mission marked this Feast with Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 13, since on the 12th I was scheduled to serve at a different church, and then had to attend a work-related event in the afternoon.

At the event–in fact, on my way out, that is to say, in the doorway–I unexpectedly and seemingly completely by chance ran into Sam. He seemed glad to see me, and I was certainly glad to see him. We spoke very briefly and one of us mentioned the upcoming service at Saint John’s Mission. I invited him to attend the service but did not expect that he would come, since he told me that he had to work the event until very late and had other plans. Quite late that night, I spoke on the phone with Sima, and he told me the following story.

Sima receives emails from the Mission and knew about the upcoming celebration. Earlier that day, he had spoken with Sam and asked whether they could attend the service. Unfortunately for Sima, Sam said that he already had plans to attend services with his father at a different church that Sunday. Saddened, Sima began to pray asking Saint John to intercede for him in this matter.

Later that evening, Sima received a phone call from Sam who told him that he had run into me at an event that he was working, and that they were definitely going to Saint John’s Mission on Sunday. On Sunday morning, Sima, Sam, and Sam’s father arrived at the Mission before the beginning of the service.

O Holy Hierarch Father John, pray to God for us!

See also: 

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Ps 90:17): 1. The Covering

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Ps 90:17): 3. Saint John

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