Presbyter
He was born on July 3, 1875, in Moscow, in the family of deacon Pavel Lebedev. He graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary in 1895 and began teaching the Law of God in church-parish schools. In 1898, he was ordained a priest at the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God of the Novodevichy Monastery, where he began teaching the Law of God and engaged in spiritual care.
After the death of his wife Sophia in 1901, he was left with his three-year-old son Boris. In search of spiritual support, he turned to his spiritual father, Hieromonk Alexius, who advised him to remain in the monastery. Father Sergius became known for his deep prayerfulness and reverence in service, which was noted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
In 1920, he was elevated to the rank of protodeacon. In 1922, he was arrested for resisting the confiscation of church valuables and sentenced to one and a half years in prison. He was released in 1923 and served in the Moscow Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.
In 1931, he was arrested again and accused of counter-revolutionary activities. During the investigation, he denied all charges. In 1933, he was sent into exile, where he continued to pray and serve despite the difficult conditions. He was released in 1934 and returned to Moscow, where he served and helped those in need.
On January 21, 1938, he was arrested again. During the interrogation, he denied all accusations of counter-revolutionary activities. On March 5, 1938, the investigation was completed, and he was accused of organizing a counter-revolutionary group. He died in custody, remaining faithful to Christ until the end of his days.
