Ioann Getmanenko

Ioann Getmanenko was a Russian archimandrite, born in 1877 in Astrakhan province, abbot of the Skete of St Elias on Athos from 1914 until his death on 25 July 1952. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Grigory Vasilievich in the world, he reached Athos at twenty-⁠three, entered the Skete of St Elias and in December of that year was tonsured into the mantle; on 7 May 1901 he was ordained hierodeacon, then hieromonk. In July 1914, when the ailing abbot Maxim decided to give up the leadership, the brethren chose Ioann. The skete was then in full flourishing. Before his elder he was not an abbot but a simple novice and tried to follow all his spiritual instructions. For this humility and obedience he received from God many gifts: the unceasing Jesus Prayer and the gift of tears. He reposed on 25 July 1952.