Presbyter
The Boxer Rebellion of 1900, known as the "Boxer Uprising," was directed against foreigners and had an anti-Christian ideology. Fr. Sergey Chan described them as a society that attracted the people with its teachings about supernatural powers.
Two hundred and twenty-two Orthodox Chinese were killed by the Boxers, becoming the first Chinese saints-martyrs, among whom was Priest Mitrophan, the first Chinese priest. Their memory was established by the Decree of the Holy Synod on April 22, 1902.
The uprising began with the support of Empress Dowager Cixi, and soon the mission was burned, along with the library and archives. The mission was guarded, but on June 11, 1900, it was destroyed, and many Christians suffered martyrdom.
Among the martyrs were also the Albazinians, descendants of those who brought Orthodoxy to China. Father Mitrophan and his family became victims of persecution, and his wife Tatiana, as well as his sons Isaiah and Sergey, also died for their faith.
Isaiah was executed on June 7, while Tatiana and other Christians were killed on June 11. Ivan, the youngest son, was brutally tortured but remained faithful to Christ despite his sufferings.
The head of the Beijing Spiritual Mission presented a list of the martyrs and petitioned for the construction of a church in their honor. The Holy Synod blessed this initiative and established an annual celebration in memory of the martyrs.
Chinese holy martyrs, pray to the Lord for us, the many-sinned!
O Lord, Most Merciful, strengthen us in faith and piety just as You, O Father, strengthened these faithful martyrs for You. Amen.
