Protoiereus
Venerable Andrew Zimin was born on August 14, 1872, into the family of a Transbaikal Cossack. After graduating from the Theological School, he was ordained a priest in 1894 and appointed to the cathedral in Blagoveshchensk, where he was actively engaged in preaching and the educating the youth.
In 1900, he was transferred to the Church of the Nativity of Theotokos in the village of Chernigov, where he continued his ministry, teaching the people, building schools, and preaching the Gospel through the diocesan journal. In 1901, he himself became the bishop of the diocese, increasing the number of churches and parishes in the region.
The saint devoted special attention to the upbringing of children and the strengthening of the Orthodox faith. In 1913, he was awarded for his work during the war.
From 1918 to 1922, the activities of Bolshevik insurgent groups were particularly intense. In 1919, Venerable Andrew was abducted and held captive. On the night of January 18, 1920, his home was attacked, during which he was martyred along with his family.
Shortly before, he had foreseen his death, through a dream that revealed his approaching end. After his repose, a letter was found in which he described all that he had seen.
His body, together with the bodies of his family members, was buried in a common grave near the church in Chernigov, where a memorial with the symbol of the cross was later erected in their honor.
