Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Parthenius was born in 1815 in Elisavetgrad. On December 23, 1845, he took monastic vows, and on April 8, 1846, he was ordained as a hieromonk. From July 1848, he served as the abbot of the Korsun Monastery in Kherson, then as the economist in the Kherson episcopal residence. In 1852, at the Tenging fortification, he demonstrated engineering talent by proposing a method for raising sunken cargo, for which he received gratitude from the counter-admiral of the Black Sea Fleet. During the Crimean War, from February 28 to March 4, 1855, he continuously confessed and communed the wounded soldiers and buried the fallen.
For his personal courage and inventions, he was awarded on March 20, 1857, with a pectoral cross from the Holy Synod and on April 7 was elevated to the rank of igumen. On August 20, 1858, he was appointed as the abbot of the Kiziltash Monastery of the Taurida Diocese, where, possessing energy and talent, he transformed the monastery, restoring it from desolation. His organizational skills and creative energy earned him respect and love among the inhabitants and the local residents.
Igumen Parthenius was an ascetic and a hermit, influencing his flock through his own example. He could not tolerate immorality and baseness; his spiritual authority grew, becoming a moral compass for those around him. Working from dawn to dusk, he forbade the brethren from begging and labored himself, lacking funds to hire workers. His efforts led to the creation of gardens, vineyards, and a stone church.
From 1863, conflicts began with the local Tatars, who were cutting down trees and grazing cattle on the monastery land. The igumen, possessing a straightforward character, tried to resolve the conflict by appealing to the authorities, but unsuccessfully. As a result, the Tatars decided to kill him, setting an ambush. On September 4, 1866, he was killed and burned, and his remains were found by witnesses who reported the crime. The relics were gathered and buried on December 2, 1866, with the blessing of Bishop Alexius of Taurida.
The Archdiocesan Council of the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Igumen Parthenius in August 2000, and his memory is celebrated on September 4/17.
Saint Parthenius, pray to God for us!
