Archbishop
In the world, Ivan Vasilievich Uspensky was born on November 12, 1872, in the village of Naruksovo, Nizhny Novgorod province, into a priest's family. In 1892, he graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary and entered the Moscow Theological Academy, where he decided to become a monk. In 1897, he was tonsured into monasticism with the name Faddey and was ordained as a hieromonk.
He initially taught at the Smolensk Theological Seminary, then became the rector of the Ufa and Olonets seminaries. In 1908, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Vladimir-Volynsky. In 1917, after the occupation of Volhynia, the administration of the diocese passed to him. He was arrested and exiled beyond the borders of Ukraine, then arrived in Moscow, but a new arrest hindered his appointment.
In 1923, he was appointed Archbishop of Astrakhan, where he united the clergy around him without resorting to administrative measures. He lived modestly, giving everything to those in need. In 1926, after the arrest of Metropolitan Sergius, he was forced to leave Astrakhan and was detained in Kuznetsk. In 1928, he was appointed to the Tver diocese.
In Tver, he was beloved by the faithful, demonstrating spiritual beauty and healing people. In 1936, the authorities deprived him of registration and forbade him to serve, but he continued to perform services. In 1937, mass arrests began, and on December 20, he was arrested. In prison, he courageously endured torture and did not admit guilt.
On December 31, 1937, he was executed. His body was buried without a coffin, but later the remains were transferred to a coffin. The memory of the saint has been preserved among the faithful, and on October 26, 1993, his holy relics were found, which are located in the Ascension Tver Cathedral. He was glorified in the rank of saints, new martyrs and confessors of Russia on February 23, 1997.
