Presbyter
Saint Alexei Molchanov was born in 1878. He served as a priest at the church in Valki, in the Lyskovsky District of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
In July 1937, following the arrest of the Metropolitan of the Gorky region, there began mass persecutions and executions of clergy and faithful believers. On 26 July 1937, Fr. Alexei was arrested, charged with participating in a counter-revolutionary organization and engaging in anti-Soviet propaganda. He courageously proclaimed his innocence and firmly rejected the false testimony brought against him.
Also arrested in connection with the same case were Deacon John Moskov, Deacon Benjamin Vladimirovsky, as well as the faithful Elizabeth Sidorova. Despite the absence of any evidence and the brutal torture forced upon them, all four steadfastly denied the accusations. They were subsequently sentenced to death and executed.
The Holy New Martyr Alexei Molchanov fell asleep in the Lord on 20 November 1937.
