The
photographs below illustrate the translation of the relics
of the neo-martyrs Mikhail and Nikolaï which were torture
victims at the same time as bishop Plato, January 14, 1919
by the communist troops which occupied Tartu then. It is at
the time of repairs in the Dormition parish in Tartu that
the two burials had to be open and that the bodies of the
two neo-martyrs were transferred in new coffins.
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1.-
Dressing of F. Mikhail
2.-
F. Mikhail in his new coffin
3.-
Photo of F. Mikhail
4.-
F. Nikolaï in his new coffin
5.-
Photo of F. Nikolaï
6.-
F. Nikolaï tomb when it was opened
7.-
Shrines of the 2 neo-martyrs
8.-
Repairs of the Dormition church in Tartu
9.-
Vigils in this same church
LIFE
OF HOLY PRIEST MARTYR MICHAEL (MIHKEL BLEIVE)
Holy
priest martyr Michael was born on October 29, 1873, in Suure-Jaani,
Viljandi District (Southern Estonia), in a family of choir
leader. He graduated in 1894 from the Riga Priests Seminary.
He married in 1899 Lyubov Lugotskaya, a priest’s daughter
and was ordained a priest on January 1st, 1900. His first
place of service was Laanemäe, then Nõo. In Nõo he collected
donations to decorate the poor church. During the 1905 Revolution,
he protected people against the violence of the punitive forces.
When the World War I started, he prayed diligently for the
soldiers and their families.
In 1916 he was moved to Tartu
Dormition parish, where in 1918 he was appointed the dean.
In the difficult war-time circumstances, he cared much for
the parish and parish school. When the news reached him that
Bishop Platon had been arrested on January 2nd, 1919, by the
Bolsheviks, he decided to go to the Commandant and to offer
himself instead of the Bishop as prisoner. But on Sunday,
the 5th, he was himself arrested in the church during the
Liturgy for celebrating without the leave of the authorities.
He was brought to the to the Credit Bank, which was turned
to a provisional prison. Bishop Platon was already held prisoner
there. He shared the difficulties and humiliations with the
other prisoners. On January 14th, when the Estonian forces
were approaching Tartu, the Bolsheviks started to shoot prisoners.
Bishop Platon was the first, and Father Michael followed soon
after.
Saint
Michael was buried in the church of Dormition of Our Lord
in Tartu. His holy relics were uncovered on May 30th, 2005.
LIFE
OF HOLY PRIEST MARTYR NICHOLAS (NIKOLAI BEZHANITSKIY)
Holy priest martyr Nicholas
was born on December 14, 1859 in Priipalu, Tartu District
(South Estonia), in a priest’s family. He and his four brothers
became priests. In 1881 he graduated from Riga Priests Seminary.
In 1883 he married Maria, daughter of priest John Kazarinov.
He served in several parishes,
from 1908 in the parish of St. George in Tartu (Dorpat). As
a priest, he was known for his charity, his consolation for
poor and needy and for his catechetical and educational work.
He performed sacraments free to the poor and worked much among
the students in Tartu. During the repressions after the 1905
Revolution, he saved many people unjustly condemned to be
shot, and consoled others. His authority was high and he was
elected to the first State Duma of Russia.
In the beginning of 1919,
the Bolshevik authorities who had taken control of Tartu arrested
Father Nicholas. He was brought to the Credit Bank, which
was turned to a provisional prison. Bishop Platon was already
held prisoner there. The room was crowded and prisoners held
in difficult conditions. On January 14th, when the Estonian
forces were approaching Tartu, the Bolsheviks started to shoot
prisoners. Bishop Platon was the first, and Father Nicholas
followed soon after. He must have seen the disfigured bodies
of the first victims on the floor.
Saint
Nicholas was buried in the church of Dormition of Our Lord
in Tartu. His holy relics were uncovered on May 30th, 2005.