![[Saint John of Tobolsk]](saintjc7.jpg "jpg image of Saint John of Tobolsk; please do not write to ask about the image")
Archbishop of Chemigov. Worked to educate the clergy, and taught the faithful himself. He used the image of a sunflower which turns its face to follow the sun, even when cloudy; the faithful should do the same with God, even when we don't see him directly.
During a near-fatal illness, John received a vision of Saint Theodosius who told him to celebrate the Mass; he did so the next day in his quarters, and was completely healed.
Metropolitan in 1711, assigned to Tobolsk, Siberia. Established schools, missions, and courses in icon painting, and ministered to prisoners. Sent money to the poor and widows; disguised as a beggar, he would toss money in their windows and advise "accept this in the name of Jesus Christ." John hated idleness in himself, and was constantly moving from one task to another, praying all the time.
10 June 1715 of natural causes tradition says he knew of the date in advance, going to confession and then having a feast for the local poor before dying at prayer buried in the cathedral at Tobolsk body incorrupt
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate Orthodox America Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson