Archbishop
Archbishop Anthony (Nikolai Mikhailovich Bystrov) was born on October 11, 1858, in the village of Nyuba, Vologda Province. He graduated from the Vologda Theological Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1882. After the death of his wife, he took monastic vows under the name Anthony in 1888 and served in the monasteries of the Vologda Diocese. On January 17, 1910, he was consecrated as Bishop of Velsk, vicar of the Vologda Diocese. In March 1921, he became the Bishop of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory.
During the difficult years of the Civil War and the schism in the Church, Vladyka Anthony actively helped those in need, organizing assistance for prisoners and exiles. He collected funds and food for the starving, responding to the call of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon.
On December 27, 1922, he was exiled to the Narym region for three years. Upon his return in early 1926, he continued his charitable work. On October 7, 1926, he was arrested again, accused of counter-revolutionary activities, but was soon released thanks to support.
On February 4, 1927, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop of the entire Northern region. On January 23, 1931, he was arrested again, and the poor conditions of his detention undermined his health. He passed away on July 16, 1931, in a prison hospital. His body was buried in the Vologda cemetery and later reinterred at the Ilyinsky cemetery with the honors that his parishioners could provide.
