Presbyter
Saint Martyr Peter (Peter Fedorovich Nikotin) was born on October 5, 1889, in the village of Bolkhuny, Enotaevsky district of Astrakhan province. After graduating from the seminary, he entered the Kazan Theological Academy, where he was ordained as a priest. In 1919, he graduated from the academy with a degree of Candidate of Theology. He served in various churches, including the church of St. Sergius of Radonezh at Rogozhskaya Zastava in Moscow, where he was respected among the faithful, especially the youth. In July 1936, his persecution by the NKVD began, and on August 20, 1937, he was arrested and imprisoned in Butyrka prison.
During the investigation, he was charged with counter-revolutionary activities; however, he denied all accusations, asserting that his actions were aimed at the spiritual enlightenment of his parishioners. Saint Martyr Peter was known for his zeal in pastoral duties and spiritual care for the faithful. His arrest was part of a broader persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church during that period. In prison, he continued to profess his faith and did not renounce Christ, despite the pressure from the investigation.
