From: Miracles of the Mother of God, Printed in Romanian in 1820 at Neamț Monastery

“In a certain city there was a man named John, very devout and rich, but his mind was so heavy that he could not by any means learn a prayer, nor say a prayer according to the commandment of the Christians. That's why he went to a monastery and giving away everything he had, he became a monk so that the brothers could teach him tp pray.

 So, because of the great wealth he possessed, he was received with love and everyone said Psalms and prayers to him, but he could learn nothing. Then a skilful brother of good deeds, reading to him all the prayers, one by one, asked him which of them seemed the most beautiful, in order to teach him, he said that this one: "Rejoice,O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace " he liked best.

 Therefore, putting in a lot of effort, after a long time he learned the angelic worship, that is, this one: "Rejoice,O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace.." 

 And he was filled with such joy and exultation that he had learned that angelic worship, that he seemed to have found a treasure of great value. And all the time he said no other word, but this: "Rejoice,O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace.." Wherefore all the brethren gave him a nickname, saying, "Rejoice, Mary," in which he rejoiced much, and he always prayed to the Virgin, saying that angelic devotion with incomparable joy and gaiety.

 And this he always said until the time when his happy soul left him.

And after they had chanted the service for him according to the order, they buried him in a special place, because his holy relics spread a fragrance, which did not diminish after they covered him, but daily increased. And the brothers smelled an unspeakably good smell.

So when they commemorated him for nine days, they saw a glorious miracle and were afraid. That is, a very beautiful lily sprang from his grave, and on each leaf were written these words in golden flowers: "Rejoice, blessed art thou o Virgin Theotokos" And the sweet fragrance of that lily was unlike any earthly flower.

 And the abbot said to the brothers: My beloved! From this wonderful thing we can know what great holiness this blessed man had and how much love for our Virgin Mary! Well, it is appropriate to look at the root of this lily, to understand with what gifts he is rewarded who loves the eternal Virgin Mary with all his heart.

 And digging the grave they saw how the lily grew from the pious man's mouth and they were afraid. And when the abbot ordered the holy relics to be removed, they saw that in his heart was the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, and they were greatly frightened.

 So taking that holy lily with litanies and incense, they placed it in the place of honor, together with the holy relics. And everyone honored him and venerated him, for the love of the Virgin".

From: Miracles of the Mother of God, Printed in Romanian in 1820 at Neamț Monastery