Orthodox saint
St John the Warrior
St John the Warrior (John the Soldier), Martyr
Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Στρατιώτης · Му́ченикъ Їwа́ннъ Во́инъ · Мученик Иоанн Воин
St John the Warrior is remembered on 30 July (12 August on the Old Calendar). Orthodox Christians pray to St John the Warrior for the exposing of thieves and the recovery of stolen property, finding what has been lost and protection from thieves and robbers.
Feast days
- Feast
- Commemoration (Slavic usage)
- Kept on
- 30 July (12 August on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
The New Calendar is kept by the Greek, Antiochian, Romanian and Bulgarian churches, the OCA and most converts; the Old Calendar by the Russian, Serbian and Georgian churches, Jerusalem and Mount Athos, 13 days later on the civil calendar.
The life of St John the Warrior
St John served as a soldier in the Roman army under Julian the Apostate (361-363). He was secretly a Christian and was sent out to hunt down and kill the faithful. Instead he freed those who had been arrested, warned others of danger, and helped them escape. When the emperor learned of it, John was thrown into prison in Constantinople. After Julian's death in 363 he was released and gave the rest of his long life to his neighbors. He visited the sick, comforted the grieving, and showed mercy to Christians and pagans alike. He reposed in old age. Later he appeared to a devout woman and revealed his forgotten tomb, and his healing relics were placed in the Church of St John the Theologian in Constantinople. In Russia he is deeply loved as a protector of soldiers and a defender of the wronged. Orthodox Christians call on him when something has been stolen or lost, and in every sorrow.
What the faithful ask of St John the Warrior
The faithful pray for
- the exposing of thieves and the recovery of stolen property
- finding what has been lost
- protection from thieves and robbers
- justice for the wronged and offended
- strength for soldiers in battle and those in military service
- comfort in grief and sorrow
- help in difficult circumstances
- deliverance from captivity, wounds and sudden death
- healing of illness
St John the Warrior protects
- from thieves and robbers
- from offenders and those who plot evil
- soldiers from wounds and sudden death
- from enemy captivity
- from cruel misfortunes
Patron of
- soldiers and the Christ-loving armed forces
- the wronged and offended
- those in sorrow and grief
- victims of theft
- prisoners
- all Orthodox Christians as their defender
Miracles
He is remembered for miraculously exposing thieves, and the Church invokes him for the recovery of stolen and lost things.
Long after his repose he appeared to a devout woman, revealed his life and the place of his forgotten tomb, and his relics then healed many ailments.
Where the traditions differ
The OCA says he is commemorated on 29 July in Greek usage and 30 July in Slavic usage. Prayer to him for exposing thieves and finding stolen or lost things is especially Russian and Ukrainian (Little Russian) popular piety.
St John the Warrior: icons and items in our shop
Our diptych pairs St John the Warrior with the Guardian Angel: the patron saint and the angel given at baptism, side by side in one folding icon.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Ask our priest
Our priest can serve a moleben to St John the Warrior for the people and the need you name.
Name days
These names keep their name day on a feast of St John the Warrior:
Prayed to for
Related saints
Questions
When is the feast day of St John the Warrior?
Commemoration (Slavic usage): 30 July (12 August on the Old Calendar).
What do Orthodox Christians pray to St John the Warrior for?
Orthodox Christians pray to St John the Warrior for the exposing of thieves and the recovery of stolen property, finding what has been lost, protection from thieves and robbers, justice for the wronged and offended, strength for soldiers in battle and those in military service and comfort in grief and sorrow.
What is St John the Warrior the patron saint of?
St John the Warrior is the patron of soldiers and the Christ-loving armed forces, the wronged and offended, those in sorrow and grief, victims of theft, prisoners and all Orthodox Christians as their defender.
What does St John the Warrior protect from?
St John the Warrior protects from thieves and robbers, from offenders and those who plot evil, soldiers from wounds and sudden death, from enemy captivity and from cruel misfortunes.
Whose name day is on a feast of St John the Warrior?
The name day of John, Ivan and Ioannis.
Sources
- OCA - Martyr John the Soldier at Constantinople (read 14 October 2026)
- Azbyka Molitvoslov - Молитвы мученику Иоанну Воину (read 14 October 2026)
- Azbyka - Иоанн Воин (житие, тропарь, молитва) (read 14 October 2026)
- Pravoslavie.ru - Как найти пропажу (read 14 October 2026)