The holy
Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev was the first bishop to be tortured and slain by
the Communists at the time of the Russian Revolution.
Basil
Nikephorovich Bogoyavlensky was born in the province of Tambov of pious parents
on January 1, 1848. His father, a priest, was later murdered. The young Basil
graduated from the Theological Academy in Kiev in 1874, and taught in the
Tambov seminary for seven years before he was ordained to the holy priesthood.
His wife
died in 1886, and their only child died shortly thereafter. The bereaved
widower entered the Kozlov Monastery in Tambov and was given the name Vladimir.
In 1888 he was consecrated bishop of Staraya Rus, and served as a vicar bishop
of the Novgorod diocese. In 1891 he was assigned to the diocese of Samara. In
those days people of his diocese suffered from a cholera epidemic and a crop
failure. Bishop Vladimir devoted himself to caring for the sick and suffering,
inspiring others to follow his example.
In 1892
he became Archbishop of Kartalin and Kahetin, then in 1898 he was chosen as
Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna. He served fifteen years in this position.
Metropolitan
Vladimir was distinguished by his compassion for the poor, and for widows and
orphans. He also tried to help alcoholics and those who had abandoned the
Church. The Metropolitan was also interested in the education of children in
school, especially those who were studying in the theological schools.
In 1912,
after the death of Metropolitan Anthony, he was appointed Metropolitan of
Petrograd, administering that diocese until 1915. Because he disapproved of
Rasputin, Metropolitan Vladimir fell out of favor with the Tsar, and so he was
transferred to Kiev. On November 5, 1917 he announced that St Tikhon (April 7)
had been elected as Patriarch of Moscow.
The
"Ukrainian Congress" was also calling for an autonomous Ukraine and
for the creation of a Ukrainian Church independent from the Church of Russia.
Metropolitan Vladimir suffered and grieved because of this question, warning
that such a division in the Church would allow its enemies to be victorious.
However, at the end of 1917, a Ukrainian Dominion was formed, and also a
separate Ukrainian church administration ("rada") led by the retired
Archbishop Alexis Dorodnitzin. This uncanonical group forbade the commemoration
of Patriarch Tikhon during church services, and demanded that Metropolitan
Vladimir leave Kiev.
In
January 1918 the civil war came to Kiev, and the two forces vied for control of
the city. Many churches and monasteries were damaged by the cannon fire. The
Bolsheviks seized the Kiev Caves Lavra on January 23, and soldiers broke into
the churches. Monks were taken out into the courtyard to be stripped and
beaten. At six thirty on the night of January 25, five armed soldiers and a
sailor came looking for Metropolitan Vladimir. The seventy-year-old hierarch
was tortured and choked in his bedroom with the chain of his cross. The
ruffians tortured the Metropolitan and demanded money.
When they
emerged, the Metropolitan's cell attendant approached and asked for a blessing.
The sailor pushed him aside and told him, "Enough bowing to these
blood-drinkers. No more of it." After blessing and kissing him, the
Metropolitan said, "Good-bye, Philip." Then he walked calmly with his
executioners, just as if he were on his way to serve the Liturgy.
Metropolitan
Vladimir was driven from the monastery to the place of execution. As they got
out of the car, the holy martyr asked, "Do you intend to shoot me
here?"
"Why
not?" they replied.
After
praying for a short time and asking forgiveness for his sins, Metropolitan
Vladimir blessed the executioners, saying, "May God forgive you."
Then several rifle shots were heard.
In the
morning, some women came to the gates of the Lavra and told the monks where the
Metropolitan's body could be found. He was lying on his back, with bullet
wounds near his right eye and by his right collarbone. There were also several
cuts and gashes on the body, including a very deep chest wound. The hieromartyr
was carried into the Lavra church of St Michael, where he had spent his last
days at prayer.
In
Moscow, the All-Russian Church Council was in session when word came of
Metropolitan Vladimir's death. Patriarch Tikhon and his clergy performed a
Memorial Service for the New Martyr Vladimir. A commission was formed to
investigate the circumstances of Metropolitan Vladimir's murder, but it was
unable to carry out its duties because of the Revolution. The Council decided
that January 25, the day of his death, would be set aside for the annual
commemoration of all of Russia's martyrs and confessors killed by the Soviets.
The holy
New Martyr Vladimir of Kiev was glorified by the Orthodox Church of Russia in
1992. On the Sunday closest to January 25 (the day of Metropolitan Vladimir's
martyrdom) we also observe the Synaxis of Russia's New Martyrs and Confessors.
Source: www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/01/holy-new-martyr-vladimir-metropolitan.html
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