Presbyter
Saint Martyr Ilya Nikolaevich Chetverukhin was born in 1886 in Moscow. After finishing gymnasium, he entered the historical and philological faculty of Moscow University, where he became interested in spiritual life. In 1906, he met Hieromonk Alexy, who became his spiritual father. Leaving the university, he passed the external exams and entered the Moscow Theological Academy, which he graduated from in 1911. After his ordination, he served in the church at the Ermakovskaya almshouse, which was closed in 1919.
In 1919, Father Ilya became the rector of the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, where, thanks to his efforts, parish life was revived. He heard confessions individually and thoroughly, creating a community attached to the church. In 1923, he was arrested and spent 3 months in Butyrka prison. In 1929, the church was closed, and he began serving in the Church of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea.
In 1930, Father Ilya was arrested again and sentenced to 3 years in a correctional labor camp on the Vyshera River. In the conditions of camp life, his spirit was hardened, and he was ready to die for Christ. Saint Martyr Ilya Chetverukhin perished in a fire in the camp on December 18, 1932.
He was canonized among the saints of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia on March 12, 2002.
