In the spring of 1922, a new persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church began, aimed at intimidating the clergy and the faithful. The accused included Moscow protodeacon Vasily Sokolov, Christophor Nadezhdin, Alexander Zaozersky, hieromonk Makariy (Telegin), and layman Sergey Tikhomirov.
Saint Martyr Vasily was born on July 24, 1868, in the village of Staraia Sloboda, Vladimir Province, in the family of deacon Alexander Sokolov. In 1882, he graduated from the Pereslavl Spiritual School, and in 1888 – from the Vifansk Spiritual Seminary. From 1891 to 1906, he served in the village of Pustoe Rozhdestvo, where he was the head of the church-parish school.
Father Vasily was happy in marriage and had six children. His life was full of cares and difficulties, but he always remained faithful to God and strove for spiritual perfection. In 1910, he graduated from the Moscow Spiritual Academy and became a professor.
In 1922, during the persecutions, Father Vasily was arrested for his sermon, in which he spoke of the joy of the Feast of Annunciation and of helping the starving. He did not call for uprising but merely sought to comfort his parishioners. The trial against him and the other priests took place in an atmosphere of pressure and fear, but they showed courage and steadfastness.
Saint Martyr Christophor was born on February 21, 1869, in the village of Nizhny Beloomut, Ryazan Province, in the family of a priest. He received his education at the Zaaraysk Spiritual School and the Ryazan Spiritual Seminary. In 1892, he entered the Moscow Spiritual Academy.
Both priests, despite the heavy trials, remained faithful to their faith and service, and their lives became an example for many believers.
