Monk
In 1937, the last period of the destruction of the Russian Orthodox Church by the government began, which also affected the monks of Optina Pustyn, who lived in the city of Kozelsk after the closure of the monastery.
Venerable Martyr Euthymius was born in 1870 in the village of Nikolaevsk, Tomsk province. He was married but became a widower and entered the monastery, where he initially stayed at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and then joined Optina Pustyn. On November 20, 1901, he was dressed in a cassock, and on June 4, 1905, he was tonsured into the riasophor. In 1911, he was tonsured into the mantle with the name Euthymius. In 1917, during a temptation, he engaged in a struggle with a wolf, which led to serious injuries. After the monastery was closed in 1923, he lived in Kozelsk, earning a living by helping with household chores and serving in the church. He was arrested on October 30, 1937, and imprisoned in a prison in the city of Sukhinichi. During interrogations, he confirmed that the monks led a monastic way of life, but their lives significantly worsened after the closure of the monastery.
Venerable Martyr Avenir was born in 1879 in the Oryol province. He became a widower and entered Optina Pustyn in 1908, where he was tonsured into the mantle with the name Avenir. He was arrested on October 30, 1937, and imprisoned in Sukhinichi. During interrogations, he confirmed that he lived with other monks and did not engage in counter-revolutionary activities.
Venerable Martyr Savva was born on September 20, 1873, in the Oryol province. He entered Optina Pustyn in 1900 and was tonsured into monasticism in 1910. After the monastery was closed, he lived in Kozelsk, earning a living by sewing and attending church. He was arrested on October 30, 1937, and imprisoned in Sukhinichi. During interrogations, he stated that his life worsened after the closure of the monastery.
Venerable Martyr Mark was born on October 3, 1875, in the Kaluga province. He entered Optina Pustyn in 1899, where he was tonsured into the mantle in 1911. After the monastery was closed, he lived in Kozelsk, earning a living through odd jobs. He was arrested on October 30, 1937, and imprisoned in Sukhinichi. During interrogations, he confirmed that the monks continued to observe monastic traditions.
Martyr Boris was born on July 23, 1886, in the Kaluga province. He worked at a factory, then in the monastery, and later became a church elder. He was arrested on October 28, 1937, and imprisoned in Sukhinichi. During interrogations, he confirmed that he was hostile towards the Soviet government and secretly attended church.
On November 21, 1937, the NKVD troika sentenced the monks Euthymius, Avenir, Savva, Mark, and the layman Boris to execution. They were shot on December 5, 1937, and buried in a common unmarked grave.
