John II (Novgorod)

John II of Novgorod, wooden sculpture, 1559

John II of Novgorod ( Russian Иоанн Новгородский , monk name Elija ( Илия ); † September 7, 1186 ) was Archbishop of Novgorod and Pskov (1165-1186). He is venerated as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church . Remembrance day is September 7th .

Life

Our Lady of the Sign in St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod, first half of the 12th century

Johann was born in Novgorod as the son of the priest Nikolai and his wife Christina. With his brother he tried to found a small monastery.

In 1163 he was elected Bishop of Novgorod. In 1165 he was raised to the rank of Archbishop of Novgorod and Pskov. In 1170 he is said to have saved Novgorod from being conquered by Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky by praying to the icon of the praying Virgin . In 1172 he reached a peace treaty with this in Vladimir.

Through his initiative and that of his brother Gabriel, several new churches were built in Novgorod. In 1185 he became a monk. He died in 1186 and was buried in the Novgorod Cathedral of St. Sophia . His successor was Gabriel.

In 1439 Johann was appointed a local saint by Archbishop Euphymius II . In 1547 Metropolitan Makarius of Moscow made him saint of the entire Russian Orthodox Church.

In 1919 his grave was closed. In 1990 it was reopened for worship.

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Remarks

personal data
SURNAME	Johann II.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	John II of Novgorod (full name); Иоанн Новгородский; Elijah; Илия
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Archbishop of Novgorod and Pskov (1165–1186)
DATE OF BIRTH	11th century or 12th century
DATE OF DEATH	September 7, 1186