Monk Martyniy (in the world Matvey Kirichenko, †1865) was born in the settlement of Basevka, in a family of pious and wealthy parents. In 1831, at the age of 31, he entered the brotherhood of the Glinskaya Hermitage, where he began his monastic life under the guidance of the abbot Philaret.
From the very first days of his obedience, he showed zeal for spiritual feats, imitating the elder Theodotus, who became for him an example of self-denial. In 1835, he was enrolled among the novices of the Glinskaya Hermitage and performed various monastic obediences, not neglecting the church rule.
In 1840, with the permission of the spiritual authorities, he was tonsured into monasticism and received the name Martyniy. After the tonsure, he decided to completely detach himself from all earthly things, depriving himself even of what was necessary for life.
Martyniy sought deep humility and subjected himself to humiliations, avoiding any notoriety. He never accepted donations from his own brother, except for wax candles for prayer. He told his brother that it was better to make donations to other monasteries than to the one where he lived.
He tried to avoid idle words and focused on prayer, having memorized the entire Psalter. He read the psalms at any time, even while performing obediences, and this reading became a part of his spiritual life.
In his cell, he had no furniture or dishes, except for a jug of water and a clay plate for food. He ate modestly, often remaining without food, and even on fasting days he refrained from eating until Holy Resurrection.
He tried to hide his feats so as not to provoke envy among the brethren. He often invited the brethren to a meal, preparing pancakes and treating them, while continuing to pray and read the psalms.
He passed away in a state of deep spiritual joy, leaving behind an example of humility and devotion to God.
