John of Shanghai is one of the key figures of the first wave of Russian emigration. Archbishop John, in the world Mikhail Borisovich Maximovich, was born on June 4, 1896, in the village of Adamovka, Izium district of Kharkov province, and passed away on July 2, 1966, in Seattle, Washington, USA. He was a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the Archbishop of Western America and San Francisco. His missionary work was accompanied, according to the testimonies of his admirers, by foresight and miracles.

The activities of Archbishop John were highly regarded not only by Orthodox Christians but also by representatives of other confessions. For example, in Paris, a Catholic priest spoke to his congregation about contemporary miracles and saints, citing John of Shanghai, as Archbishop John was called. In everyday life, he was humble: he wore vestments made of cheap fabric, wore sandals or walked barefoot, giving shoes to those in need. He was a true non-possessor, following the example of St. Nilus of Sora, and was considered a man of God.

The relics of Saint John did not decay and are located in the open tomb of the cathedral in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco.

On July 2, 1994, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia held celebrations for his canonization. In the sermon by Metropolitan Vitaly during the glorification of Archbishop John, words of gratitude were expressed for the fact that Saint John, overcoming weaknesses and frailties, reached the Kingdom of Heaven. The Metropolitan expressed hope that Saint John, knowing the sorrow of Russia, would help with his intercession.