Bishop
Saint Martyr Makary (Gnevushev), Bishop of Oryol and Sevsk, was born in 1858. He had a higher theological education and served as a priest. He became known as a spiritual and national figure, being a missionary of the Kiev diocese. After becoming a widower, he was offered the episcopal ordination as Bishop of Vyazma, which took place in January 1917. Upon arriving in Vyazma, His Grace settled in the Holy Spirit Monastery. In May of the same year, he was sent into retirement as 'incompatible with the spirit of the times.'
In the summer of 1918, he was arrested by the Bolsheviks and subjected to humiliation. On September 4 (17 N.S.) 1918, he was taken away with a group of 14 people and executed by firing squad. While praying with his prayer beads in hand, he blessed each one, saying: 'Depart in peace.' When it came to his turn, a soldier, trembling with fear, heard His Grace's words: 'My son, let not your heart be troubled, and do the will of Him who sent you.' This soldier later ended up in a mental hospital, where every night he saw in his dreams the slain saint, who blessed him.
He was canonized among the ranks of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Jubilee Archpastoral Council in August 2000 for public veneration.
