Saint Martyr Natalia (Natalia Ivanovna Kozlova) was born on September 12, 1895, into a pious peasant family in the village of Churiki, Skopin district, Ryazan province. In a family with five children, Natalia was the youngest. Her parents instilled in their children hard work, love for God and the Church, and provided them with education. Natalia successfully completed a three-grade rural school and actively participated in church services. As she grew up, she married her fellow villager Stepan Kozlov, with whom she had eight children.
The Kozlov family lived by labor and prayer, having a plot of land and livestock. However, by 1935, only four of the eight children were alive. At this time, the family faced the horrors of persecution against believers. In January 1935, Natalia's father was shot, and soon they had their horse confiscated for unpaid taxes, which forced Natalia to work in the fields with her children.
Despite the hardships, the holy martyr demonstrated unwavering faith and care for her neighbors, comforting her children and fellow villagers. She was elected treasurer and starosta of the Epiphany Church in the village of Churiki. For her efforts, she was awarded a certificate of honor from the archbishop. Natalia actively cared for the church's needs, traveling to Moscow for church supplies and baking prosphora.
In December 1936, she organized a mass procession of believers to the village council demanding the release of priest Evgeny Svetlov, who had been arrested. Natalia also fought for the return of part of the church that had been seized by the collective farm. In May 1937, she, along with other believers, sent more than 400 signatures to Moscow demanding the return of the church.
The holy martyr maintained contact with Bishop Ignatius of Skopin, who was imprisoned, and sent money to priest Evgeny Svetlov. However, her active work did not align with the authorities' plans, and on August 14, 1937, she was arrested. Natalia categorically denied the accusations of anti-Soviet activity.
Together with her, members of the Church Council were arrested. They were all sent to Taganka prison, where on September 10, 1937, they were sentenced to execution. This sentence was carried out on September 14, 1937, near the village of Butovo.
By the decree of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church dated August 17, 2004, Natalia Ivanovna Kozlova was included in the Assembly of New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church of the 20th century.
