Hieromonk
In order to spread the Orthodox faith in the Turkestan region and to spiritually enlighten the Asian nomads, His Grace Bishop Alexander (Kulchitsky) consecrated the site for the male Holy Trinity Missionary Monastery on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in 1882. The first inhabitants of the monastery faced difficulties, including the hostile attitude of the nomadic tribes.
In 1886, 11 monks from the Holy Mikhailovskaya Zakuban Desert arrived at the monastery, and in 1894, eight monks led by Igumen Sebastian came from Valaam Island. In the early 20th century, other monks from the Nativity of the Mother of God Glinskaya Desert were invited to the monastery, among whom were monks Seraphim, Theognost, and Anatoly, known for their education and high spiritual achievements.
By 1909, monks Seraphim and Anatoly were called to the cathedral city of Verny, where they received holy orders and served in the Assumption Church. In 1916, Hieromonk Anatoly managed the archbishop's choir in the Ascension Cathedral of the city of Verny. After the Bolsheviks came to power in March 1918, the monks fled to the mountains and established a skete on Mount Mohnataya.
Hieromonk Seraphim arranged a church in the skete, which was later given to the nuns. The monks sought a more secluded place and found it on Mount Kyzyl-Zhar, where cells were built and caves were dug. In 1916, the monastery was attacked by Kyrgyz, resulting in the torture of many elderly monks, and in 1919, the monastery was closed.
Hieromonk Seraphim, born in Glukhov, felt a calling to martyrdom from childhood. His mother, being deeply devout, predicted his martyr's end. In 1921, he was killed by Red Army soldiers who came to the Kyzyl-Zhar skete. Hieromonk Theognost was also killed in his cell, while Hieromonk Anatoly continued to serve in Verny until he was arrested and executed.
The grave of the holy martyrs Seraphim and Theognost in Aksai has always been venerated by the faithful. In 1991, a cross was erected at their grave, and in 2000, they were canonized among the ranks of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia for church-wide veneration.
