GENERAL CONFESSION OF FATHER JOHN OF KRONSTADT. MEMORIES OF CONTEMPORARIES

GENERAL CONFESSION OF FATHER JOHN OF KRONSTADT. MEMORIES OF CONTEMPORARIES 

There were so many people who wanted to confess to Father John that it was physically impossible to fulfill this desire. It must be said that St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Kronstadt, during the service of Father John, was so crowded that there was no place for the apple to fall, and yet the cathedral contained from 5 to 7 thousand people. 

Therefore, whether or for the greater power of the Sacrament of Repentance, Father John produced in the St. Andrew’s Cathedral common confessions of all those present, as was the case in the first centuries of Christianity. 

I heard from those who participated in the general confession that it was something amazing. This is how my friend, now deceased, former director of the Tiflis office of the State Bank Konstantin Zvyagin described this to me:

In his youth, he was an officer in the horse-mountain artillery and went to the Pamirs. Then, with the rank of captain of horse artillery, he participated twice in the embassies sent by Emperor Alexander III to Emperor Menelik II, Negus of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), and lived in Ethiopia for a long time. He spent his youth and mature age violently. Having decided to marry a girl from a good and pious family under the age of 40, he went to visit  Father John in Kronstadt and took part in a common confession.

All the people in the cathedral quite frankly, not hesitating the masses of the people, shouted their sins, not excluding the most terrible, and moreover shouted very loudly, so that, if possible, Fr. John could hear. Zvyagin shouted too. There was a moan in the cathedral, sweat was rolling not from the heat, but from the shock experienced. Everybody literally wept without the slightest withdrawal, and together with these cries and moans, human souls were wondrously purified, as a piece of gold was purified in the furnace of fire.

“Involuntarily they drew my attention to themselves,” writes one woman, “two gentlemen standing behind bars in front of me: one gray-haired, the other young, both elegantly and smartly dressed; at first the old one listened to Father John with a condescending look, and the young one simply with a smile, but as Father John continued speaking, the expression on their faces became serious and focused; It ended in that both of them directly fell on their knees and wept tearfully, covering their faces with their hands ... 

Father John stood on the pulpit before the image of the Savior and fervently prayed, asking the Lord for merciful forgiveness to the whole mass of penitent and crying people. He looked at us with his deep gaze, and suddenly ... large tears rolled down his face.

He cried for us ... He cried for the filth of our sins ... Where is the best evidence of holy, gospel love for one's neighbor? .. Isn't this love deep, comprehensive, grieving, suffering and sincere tears washing the sins of his neighbor? .. Yes, Father John wept, combining his tears with our tears, and, like the true good shepherd of the flock of Christ, he grieved his soul for the sheep! .. 

And at this very moment the excitement of the sobbing people reached its highest degree! The great cathedral was filled with moans, cries and sobs; it seemed the whole temple was shaking from the continuous cries of the people! 

Awesome picture! Majestic and at the same time soothing spectacle, clearly demonstrating how strong is faith in God and the great spirit of the Russian people, erected to the good feat of repentance by the inspired instructions of a wise shepherd! ..

But among the cries came the voice of Father John, asking the people to settle down. Obedient to his voice, we fell silent and looked at his face with joyful hope. ” 

- Did you repent? Would you like to improve? - Father John loudly asked the quivering crowd. 

- Repent, Father! We wish to correct! Pray for us! - unanimously, sincerely, the crowd responded and humbly bowed their heads, waiting for forgiveness and resolution from sins, through their spiritual father, who has the power from the Lord to bind and absolve human sins. 

The deathly silence was settled when Father John, standing on the ambo, raised the stole and stretched it forward, as if covering the heads of those present and read the permissive prayer.

Joyful, freed from heavy burdens, the people sighed freely, with tears of joy looked at the good shepherd shining with spiritual triumph, who managed to stir up the salutary shameful souls to repentance and wash away their tears of the polluted souls. 

Communion of numerous people lasted more than two hours. Having received the sacrament from the hands of the saint, Zvyagin, yes, and probably all, returned home completely renewed, cleansed of all the many years of filth of sin that had darkened their souls. Zvyagin entered into marriage and began to lead a righteous lifestyle. It was rare to meet such friendly and happy spouses. 

I.K. Sursky "Father John of Kronstadt"