The Holy Spirit illuminates with His strength all the missionary work of the True Faith; and the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco is one of its greatest saints. The 20th century never ceases to surprise us. The grace we receive from our God is so great that we also see it present in our parish missions.

For San Juan de Shanghai Mission in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, the Holy Trinity gave evident signs of God’s actions, leaving a true feeling of undeserved grace. In life, the mission’s Heavenly patron was in Shanghai, Paris, San Francisco, and many other place, but his presence is now strongly felt in this missionary arena in Nicaragua, where not too long ago, there was nowhere to turn for those seeking Orthodoxy.

The message that St. John gives us today is to persevere in spiritual care, a necessary condition in the community where we all pray for each other and ask Christ Who loves of mankind for forgiveness for our sins. A community that is born in undivided communion with the whole Orthodox Church, with our beloved hierarchs, priests, deacons, and all those who commit their lives to the salvation of souls. We are a community in and through the Church.

On Saturday, June 6, the mission gathered for its patronal feast, and the faithful came together as a community to thank God for the Protection of the Holy Hierarch John, for his missionary force.

Parishioners, headed by parish rector Priest Daniel Valle, ask God, that His will be accomplished in their midst, and that one day they will achieve their desire of having the first Orthodox temple in the city of Matagalpa.

Through the prayers of the Holy Hierarch John, Archbishop of Shanghai & San Francisco, the Wonderworker, may the Lord have mercy on us and save us!