John the Russian took part in the Russo-Turkish war of 1710-1713. During Prut’s campaign, along with other soldiers, he was captured by the allies of the Turks by the Tatars. In captivity, John refused to convert to Islam, courageously endured cruelty, humiliation and beatings, remaining faithful to Christianity. At night, he secretly went to the rock church of St. George, where he read prayers on the porch. He died at the age of 40. Because of his loyalty to Christianity, because of his righteousness, he is revered as a man of God. The incorruptible relics of the Saint are carefully kept in Greece in the church in honor of John the Russian.
The initiative to create a sculpture in his honor belongs to businessman Gennady Bugay, and the image of John the Russian was embodied in bronze by the Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, sculptor Sergey Oleshnya.
The opening ceremony of the monument in Krasnodar was held on the day of the memory of the holy warrior. Representatives of the public, authorities and clergy attended.
– Our city has one more visible defender. I think that with the appearance of this image, people will learn more about the feat of the Holy Warrior Righteous John the Russian. Today, when a special military operation is underway, the history of the resistance and spiritual strength of the saint acquires a special meaning, – said Metropolitan Gregory of Ekaterinodar and Kuban.
