Archimandrite
Lev Fomich Stasevich was born on March 20, 1884, in Targorud, as the only child in a peasant family. At the age of 15, he became a secretary in the court, and after his father's death, he entered the Kholm Seminary. After graduating from the seminary in 1910, he became a novice at the Yablochinsky Onuphrius Monastery, where he was tonsured in 1912 and ordained as a hierodeacon, and in 1913 as a hieromonk. In 1922, he was appointed the abbot of the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery in Suzdal, which was closed in 1923. Father Leonty restored the services in the parish church, attracting many believers.
In 1930, he was arrested on a denunciation and sentenced to three years in a concentration camp. After his release in 1933, he served in Borodino. In 1935, he was arrested again and sentenced to three years for 'anti-Soviet activities.' In the camp, he worked as a paramedic, enduring suffering with humility. In 1938, he returned to Suzdal, where he continued to serve despite the closure of churches.
In 1947, he was appointed the abbot of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Vorontsovo, and in 1950, he was arrested again and sentenced to ten years in prison. Released in 1955, he was appointed the abbot of the Church of Archangel Michael in Mikhailovsky. Father Leonty, known for his kindness and humility, welcomed many people, heard confessions, and prayed for them.
On February 7, 1972, he served his last liturgy, and on February 9, he passed away. His relics are located in the Church of Archangel Michael in Mikhailovsky. He was canonized in 1999 as a locally venerated saint of the Ivanovo Diocese and was included in the ranks of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in 2000.
