Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev

The holy New Martyr Metropolitan Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev and Gallich was the first bishop to be tortured and slain by the Communists at the time of the Russian Revolution.

Life

Saint Vladimir was born on January 1, 1848 in the province of Tambov. He was named Basil Nikephorovich Bogoyavlensky. Basil’s father a priest but he was murdered when Basil was young.

In 1874, he graduated from the Theological Academy in Kiev, and taught in the Tambov seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1881.

After the death on his Matushka and only child in 1886, Fr. Basil entered the Kozlov monastery in Tambov and was given the name Vladimir. Two years later he was consecrated bishop of Staraya Rus and served as a vicar bishop in the diocese of Novgorod.

Saint Vladimir became Archbishop of Kartalin and Kahetin in 1892. He was selected Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna in 1898 and was notable for his concern for widows, orphans, the poor, and alcoholics. In 1912 he was became Metropolitan of Petrograd after the death of Metropolitan Anthony. In 1915 Metropolitan Vladimir fell out of favor with the Tsar because he disapproved of Rasputin, and so he was transferred to Kiev.

It was Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev in 1917, who announced that St Tikhon had been elected as Patriarch of Moscow.

At this time, there were calls for an autonomous Ukraine, and wanted the Ukrainian Church to be independent from the Church of Russia. Metropolitan Vladimir warned that division in the Church would allow its enemies to be victorious.

In January, 1918, many churches and monasteries were damaged by the cannon fire as Bolshevik forces vied for control of Kiev. On January 23, the Bolsheviks seized the Kiev Caves Lavra and the monks were taken out into the courtyard to be stripped and beaten.

A few nights later, according to one account: five armed soldiers and a sailor came looking for Metropolitan Vladimir. The hierarch was tortured and choked in his bedroom with the chain of his cross. They tortured the Metropolitan and demanded money, then drove him away to be executed. Another account just states that some anonymous persons proceeded to take him to the commandant for interrogation. On the way, they decided to rid themselves of him.

The body of the hieromartyr was found, pierced by two bullet wounds and three stab wounds. He was carried into the Lavra church of St Michael, where he had spent his last days at prayer. Another account has it that he was found dead.

The All-Russian Church Council was in session when word came to Moscow of Metropolitan Vladimir's death. A Memorial Service for the New Martyr Vladimir performed by Patriarch Tikhon. An investigating commission was formed to look into the circumstances of Metropolitan Vladimir's murder, but it was unable to carry out its duties because of the Revolution. The Council decided that January 25, the day of his martyrdom, would be set aside for the annual commemoration of all of Russia's martyrs and confessors killed by the Soviets.

Glorification

In 1992, the Orthodox Church of Russia glorified the holy New Martyr Vladimir. the Synaxis of Russia's New Martyrs and Confessors is also observed on the Sunday closest to January 25.

Sources

• New Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev
• St Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and Gallich

Succession box: Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev
Preceded by: ?	Bishop of Staraya Rus 1886-1892	Succeeded by: ?
Preceded by: ?	Archbishop of Kartalin and Kahetin 1892-1898	Succeeded by: ?
Preceded by: Sergei	Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna 1898-1912	Succeeded by: Macarius II
Preceded by: Anthony	Metropolitan of Petrograd 1812-1915	Succeeded by: ?
Preceded by: ?	Metropolitan of Kiev and Gallich 1915-1918	Succeeded by: Anthony (Khrapovitsky)

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