Michael Deineka, presbyter

Saint Martyr Michael was born on November 7, 1894, in the city of Borzna, Chernihiv province. After finishing the church-parish school, he entered the psalmist courses at the monastery. From 1917 to 1921, he served as a psalmist in the churches of Kharkiv province, was ordained a deacon in 1921, and in 1924 – a priest. He served in the Kharkiv diocese and was later accepted into the Belgorod diocese. On February 22, 1935, he was arrested. During the investigation, he confirmed his testimony and rejected the accusations of urging believers not to go to work. At the court hearing, he did not plead guilty.