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[[Image:Ioann tobolsky.jpg|right|thumb|230px|St. John Maximovitch of Tobolsk250px]].
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''John Maximovitch of Tobolsk''', [[Metropolitan]] of Tobolsk and All Siberia, was a pioneer in the development of higher theological education and publication in Russia. He was unpretentious and, as a [[missionary]] to the pagans of Siberia, endeared himself to his flock, preaching the word of God. He is remembered on [[June 10]].
==Life==Saint John was born John Maximovitch in 1651 in the city of NezhinoNezhin. He was the eldest of seven sons born to his father and mother, Maksim Vasilevich and Evphorosynia Maxsimovitch. He attended the [[Kiev Theological Academy|Kiev-Mohyla Collegium]]. After graduating with honors from the academy, he remained there as a teacher of Latin. In 1680, he entered the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Pechersk Caves Lavra]] where he was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] with the name John. Displaying a distinct ability in speaking, the brotherhood entrusted the young John with the obedience of preaching, as he revealed an exceptional talent of eloquence and graceful abilities in which he attached an especial significance to inward religious self-knowledge.
In 1685, the [[monastery]] sent him on a mission to Moscow that resulted in his appointment by [[Patriarch]] Joachim as [[vicar]] of the Bryansk Svensk Monastery, a monastery that was then subordinate to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. In 1695, Theodosius, [[Archbishop]] of Chernigov, elevated [[Hieromonk]] John to [[archimandrite]] and [[abbot]] of the Chernigov Eletsk Monastery and as his successor for the [[cathedra]] seat of Chernigov. After the repose of Abp. Theodosius, Arch. John was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] Bishop of Chernigov on [[January 19]], 1697 by Patr. Hadrian and the council of [[bishop]]s in Uspensky Cathedral in the Kremlin of Moscow.