On Tuesday, October 1, our close-knit team of St. John's Giving Hope Foundation volunteers participated in feeding the homeless at Brighton Beach. Feedings take place every week, anyone who wants to help can join us.
This time, among other people, the Lord blessed us to meet two precious souls – Mikhail and Vasily.
Mikhail is from Ukraine, baptized in Orthodoxy. He was hospitalized many times, but unfortunately, he is now in poor condition. After all the rehabilitation, he finds himself in the same place – on the street, continuing to drink. We are constantly trying to support him and motivate him to live a sober life, but so far, he has not heard our calls. The photos show him trying to lift his heavily drunk friend Vasily. He is from Belarus. When we were praying, Vasily sometimes shouted something at random. It was obvious that he was trying to participate. In the end, he managed to get into prayer, for which he expressed gratitude. We hope that they will be able to start a new life.
We ask you to pray for Mikhail and Vasily!
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WE WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH YOU!
Follow the link homelessny.org/en/help
This time, among other people, the Lord blessed us to meet two precious souls – Mikhail and Vasily.
Mikhail is from Ukraine, baptized in Orthodoxy. He was hospitalized many times, but unfortunately, he is now in poor condition. After all the rehabilitation, he finds himself in the same place – on the street, continuing to drink. We are constantly trying to support him and motivate him to live a sober life, but so far, he has not heard our calls. The photos show him trying to lift his heavily drunk friend Vasily. He is from Belarus. When we were praying, Vasily sometimes shouted something at random. It was obvious that he was trying to participate. In the end, he managed to get into prayer, for which he expressed gratitude. We hope that they will be able to start a new life.
We ask you to pray for Mikhail and Vasily!
_________
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WE WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH YOU!
Follow the link homelessny.org/en/help
One of the important elements of rehabilitation in our St. John's Workhouse is spiritual conversations. They are conducted by the people responsible for this. With rare exceptions, conversations take place every day in the evenings. Since one of the lecturers is currently away, only 3 talks took place last week.
During a conversation with Deacon Yevgeny Starostin on Thursday, an excerpt from the Gospel of Mark was discussed, which tells about the calling of disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ. Father Eugene also touched upon the importance of prayer.
On Saturday, Vadim Arefyev raised the topic of the prototype of Christ in the rituals of modern Jews. An interesting thought was expressed about how Jews honor the rite, refusing to understand its Messianic meaning.
Such conversations not only strengthen the brothers in faith and help them get closer to the knowledge of God, but also create an atmosphere of unity and brotherhood, which is so important in rehabilitation.
During a conversation with Deacon Yevgeny Starostin on Thursday, an excerpt from the Gospel of Mark was discussed, which tells about the calling of disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ. Father Eugene also touched upon the importance of prayer.
On Saturday, Vadim Arefyev raised the topic of the prototype of Christ in the rituals of modern Jews. An interesting thought was expressed about how Jews honor the rite, refusing to understand its Messianic meaning.
Such conversations not only strengthen the brothers in faith and help them get closer to the knowledge of God, but also create an atmosphere of unity and brotherhood, which is so important in rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, October 8, a group of students from the New York Film Academy visited our St. John's Workhouse to shoot a story about our work. This is their second visit.
The first time they came was on Sunday. They were inspired by the work we do to serve God and our neighbors – helping homeless people who suffer from drunkenness and drug addiction. Initially, they planned to take a couple of interviews and shoot a short story as an examination work for the university, but eventually did not want to leave us. The equipment they used is provided by the university. For this work, the equipment was given for one time, but the students asked the university management to give it again.
They decided to come again on Tuesday to take part in the evening feeding of the homeless. They filmed different interviews. For example, they met famous boxer Sergei Artemyev, who has an interesting and tragic life story – in 1993, during a fight, he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, was in a state of clinical death, but the Lord brought him back to life. The newspapers even published the news of his death. Sergey often comes to help during feedings and prays with us. We will tell you about this interesting person one day later.
Getting to know these wonderful students was a great joy for us!
We are grateful to them for choosing our Workhouse for their examination work. We wish them to successfully complete their studies and create films that will make people better!
_____________________________
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WE WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH YOU!
Follow the link homelessny.org/en/help
The first time they came was on Sunday. They were inspired by the work we do to serve God and our neighbors – helping homeless people who suffer from drunkenness and drug addiction. Initially, they planned to take a couple of interviews and shoot a short story as an examination work for the university, but eventually did not want to leave us. The equipment they used is provided by the university. For this work, the equipment was given for one time, but the students asked the university management to give it again.
They decided to come again on Tuesday to take part in the evening feeding of the homeless. They filmed different interviews. For example, they met famous boxer Sergei Artemyev, who has an interesting and tragic life story – in 1993, during a fight, he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, was in a state of clinical death, but the Lord brought him back to life. The newspapers even published the news of his death. Sergey often comes to help during feedings and prays with us. We will tell you about this interesting person one day later.
Getting to know these wonderful students was a great joy for us!
We are grateful to them for choosing our Workhouse for their examination work. We wish them to successfully complete their studies and create films that will make people better!
_____________________________
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WE WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH YOU!
Follow the link homelessny.org/en/help
HOW ST. NICHOLAS SAVED THE SAILORS
(from the archive of the St. John of Kronstadt Workhouse in New York)
It was December. We were just starting to rehabilitate the homeless. Rosa, a kind girl took us to Sea Breeze Park in New York to show us how drunk Russian homeless guys sleep there under the snow. We picked up two people. The first was Oleg Ryzhiy ("the Red"), which was his last name, hair color, and nickname. The second was Vyacheslav, if memory serves me right. Both guys were sailors in the past, so we were able to get them into a shelter for lost sailors in Manhattan. And so, while we were taking them there, Vyacheslav told us the following story:
"One day our ship got into a terrible storm. The ship was gripped and shaking like never before. The team realized that one more moment and we would say goodbye to our lives! Suddenly, when everyone was already aware of the inevitability of imminent death from the raging water, we, without agreeing, fell to our knees and started praying to St. Nicholas. Something like "you help the sailors, you can calm the sea, help us!". Despite the fact that the whole team were not religious. As soon as we shouted these few words, suddenly there was silence, and the ship quietly sailed on"
A wonderful story - just like in the Gospel. Unfortunately, we have lost contact with Vyacheslav and do not know where is he now. Oleg came back several times and lived with us in the Workhouse for a while.
Visit us: homelessny.org/en/help
(from the archive of the St. John of Kronstadt Workhouse in New York)
It was December. We were just starting to rehabilitate the homeless. Rosa, a kind girl took us to Sea Breeze Park in New York to show us how drunk Russian homeless guys sleep there under the snow. We picked up two people. The first was Oleg Ryzhiy ("the Red"), which was his last name, hair color, and nickname. The second was Vyacheslav, if memory serves me right. Both guys were sailors in the past, so we were able to get them into a shelter for lost sailors in Manhattan. And so, while we were taking them there, Vyacheslav told us the following story:
"One day our ship got into a terrible storm. The ship was gripped and shaking like never before. The team realized that one more moment and we would say goodbye to our lives! Suddenly, when everyone was already aware of the inevitability of imminent death from the raging water, we, without agreeing, fell to our knees and started praying to St. Nicholas. Something like "you help the sailors, you can calm the sea, help us!". Despite the fact that the whole team were not religious. As soon as we shouted these few words, suddenly there was silence, and the ship quietly sailed on"
A wonderful story - just like in the Gospel. Unfortunately, we have lost contact with Vyacheslav and do not know where is he now. Oleg came back several times and lived with us in the Workhouse for a while.
Visit us: homelessny.org/en/help
St. John House
HOW ST. NICHOLAS SAVED THE SAILORS (from the archive of the St. John of Kronstadt Workhouse in New York) It was December. We were just starting to rehabilitate the homeless. Rosa, a kind girl took us to Sea Breeze Park in New York to show us how drunk Russian…
Brother Oleg. One of our first beloved brothers since 2002
All the local news exploded about a homeless woman burned alive on the New York subway.
We want to tell the world that in May 2022, Workhouse brother Yura (George, Altar helper) was burned alive.
He was a wonderful man. He was a graduate of the Historical Faculty of Kiev University. He wrote a diploma on Ecumenical Councils. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the temptation of drinking alcohol, reached a terrible madness, a malfunction of the central nervous system - he could not hold a spoon in his hands, so the Brethren had to feed him. He recovered very quickly in our Workhouse and led a sober life for many years (about 8 year), he helped in the temple. Then, unfortunately, he went into a breakdown and couldn't get out of it, no matter how hard we tried to protect him - we pulled him out many many times. And then a tragedy happened and he was burned alive.
We pray for Brother George, may the Lord forgive his sins and have mercy on him!
_
Visit us: homelessny.org/en/help
We want to tell the world that in May 2022, Workhouse brother Yura (George, Altar helper) was burned alive.
He was a wonderful man. He was a graduate of the Historical Faculty of Kiev University. He wrote a diploma on Ecumenical Councils. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the temptation of drinking alcohol, reached a terrible madness, a malfunction of the central nervous system - he could not hold a spoon in his hands, so the Brethren had to feed him. He recovered very quickly in our Workhouse and led a sober life for many years (about 8 year), he helped in the temple. Then, unfortunately, he went into a breakdown and couldn't get out of it, no matter how hard we tried to protect him - we pulled him out many many times. And then a tragedy happened and he was burned alive.
We pray for Brother George, may the Lord forgive his sins and have mercy on him!
_
Visit us: homelessny.org/en/help
Instructions from St. Philaret Drozdov
1. Keep quiet about what you know.
2. Whatever you hear, keep quiet.
3. Don't interfere in other people's conversations.
4. Answer questions, but don't say much.
5. Think about what you want to do in private with prayer, and don't tell it to the others until you've done it.
6. Don't tell people their flaws.
7. If someone has hurt your pride or reproached you, be patient and keep quiet.
8. If someone is unfair to you, say it quietly and calmly.
9. Don't speak harshly or get excited.
10. Look at everything "as God wills! All is His Holy Will!" Always remember God, the Mother of God, and pray.
1. Keep quiet about what you know.
2. Whatever you hear, keep quiet.
3. Don't interfere in other people's conversations.
4. Answer questions, but don't say much.
5. Think about what you want to do in private with prayer, and don't tell it to the others until you've done it.
6. Don't tell people their flaws.
7. If someone has hurt your pride or reproached you, be patient and keep quiet.
8. If someone is unfair to you, say it quietly and calmly.
9. Don't speak harshly or get excited.
10. Look at everything "as God wills! All is His Holy Will!" Always remember God, the Mother of God, and pray.
3 IMPORTANT NEW YEAR PRAYER REQUESTS!
1) Let's thank God for the past year, for all the sorrows and joys.
Glory to You, God, glory to You!
2) Let us sincerely ask God for forgiveness for all our sins, may He forgive us in His Mercy!
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!
3) Let us ask for His guidance in the coming year, so that He will help us, guide us and be with us in all our affairs, so that we may walk in His holy Commandments!
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!
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Your St. John's Workhouse in New York
homelessny.org/en/
1) Let's thank God for the past year, for all the sorrows and joys.
Glory to You, God, glory to You!
2) Let us sincerely ask God for forgiveness for all our sins, may He forgive us in His Mercy!
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!
3) Let us ask for His guidance in the coming year, so that He will help us, guide us and be with us in all our affairs, so that we may walk in His holy Commandments!
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!
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Your St. John's Workhouse in New York
homelessny.org/en/
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Anthony Hopkins' Christmas message about his journey to sobriety!
Today we celebrate the memory of our New York Workhouse Patron Saint!
An extraordinarily touching story by an artisan about his spiritual rebirth and healing from alcoholism thanks to St. John of Kronstadt:
"I was about 22-23 years old at that time. Now I'm an old man, but I remember well how I saw Father John for the first time. I had a family, two kids. I was working and drinking. The family was starving. The wife begged from people. We lived in very poor conditions. One day I came home not very drunk and saw that a young priest was sitting, holding my son in his arms and saying something to him very kindly. The child listened seriously. It seemed to me that Father John was like Christ in the picture "The Blessing of the Children".
I wanted to swear at first: that all sorts of people are wandering around here... But this father's gentle and serious eyes stopped me: I felt ashamed.… I lowered my eyes, he was looking straight into my soul. He started talking. I can't tell you everything he said. He said that I have a paradise in my room, because where children are, it's always warm and nice, and that there's no need to change this paradise for tavern smoke.
He didn't blame me, no, he was justifying everything. But I didn't even think about justifying myself. He left, and I sat there in silence.… I didn't cry, although my heart felt like it was about to burst into tears. My wife was watching… And since then, I've become a man..."
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homelessny.org/en/help
An extraordinarily touching story by an artisan about his spiritual rebirth and healing from alcoholism thanks to St. John of Kronstadt:
"I was about 22-23 years old at that time. Now I'm an old man, but I remember well how I saw Father John for the first time. I had a family, two kids. I was working and drinking. The family was starving. The wife begged from people. We lived in very poor conditions. One day I came home not very drunk and saw that a young priest was sitting, holding my son in his arms and saying something to him very kindly. The child listened seriously. It seemed to me that Father John was like Christ in the picture "The Blessing of the Children".
I wanted to swear at first: that all sorts of people are wandering around here... But this father's gentle and serious eyes stopped me: I felt ashamed.… I lowered my eyes, he was looking straight into my soul. He started talking. I can't tell you everything he said. He said that I have a paradise in my room, because where children are, it's always warm and nice, and that there's no need to change this paradise for tavern smoke.
He didn't blame me, no, he was justifying everything. But I didn't even think about justifying myself. He left, and I sat there in silence.… I didn't cry, although my heart felt like it was about to burst into tears. My wife was watching… And since then, I've become a man..."
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homelessny.org/en/help