The Holy New Martyr John was born in 1891 in the city of Bezhetsk, in Tver. He was raised in the family of a priest. In 1915, he graduated from the Theological School and became a chanter at the cathedral of the city of Ostashkov. After the death of his father in 1917, he returned to Bezhetsk, where he worked as a teacher. However, soon afterward, he gave up teaching, and in 1921 he became a priest. He served in the village of Zaluzhanie until 1929, when the church was closed.
Despite the threats he received, he continued serving the Church, for which he was arrested in 1931 and sentenced to five years of forced labor. While in the labor camp, he continued writing letters to his relatives, encouraging and strengthening their spirit. He reposed in 1934 after contracting tuberculosis.
The Holy New Martyr James was born on June 8, 1896, in Bezhetsk and was the younger brother of John. From his early childhood, he had a deep love for reading spiritual books and spending time in the church. He graduated from the Theological School of Bezhetsk and later from the Theological School of Tver. In 1923, he was ordained a priest and served in various churches, enduring the persecutions taking place during that period. In 1938, he was arrested on charges of anti-Soviet propaganda. He reposed in prison, remaining faithful to his faith and to his love for God.
