Presbyter
Saint John Georgievich Steblin-Kamensky was born on October 26, 1887, in Saint Petersburg. His father, Georgy Georgievich, was the director of the Maritime Ministry's office and a senator. His mother, Olga Alexandrovna, had a significant influence on his spiritual upbringing. After her death in 1902, Ivan graduated from gymnasium and entered the Naval Cadet Corps, which he completed in 1908. He served in the navy, where he received several awards for bravery. In 1917, he resigned from the navy due to health reasons.
From 1919, he began serving in the Holy Trinity Church in Petrograd, where he decided to become a priest. In 1920, he was ordained as a deacon, and in 1923, as a priest. In 1924, he was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment in the Solovetsky concentration camp. After his release, he continued his ministry in Voronezh, where he enjoyed great authority among the faithful.
In 1928, new persecutions against the Church began, and in 1929, he was arrested again. He was accused of agitation against the Soviet government and spreading anti-Soviet rumors. On August 16, 1929, he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in the Solovetsky concentration camp. In 1930, he was arrested again and, after interrogations, sentenced to death by shooting.
On August 2, 1930, Priest John Steblin-Kamensky was shot along with other clergymen and laypeople, remaining faithful to his faith until the end.
