Samara saints of God: Hieromartyr Konstantin Sukhovtranslated

The historical memory of the ascetics of the Samara land occupies a special place in the diocesan calendar. In preparation for the celebration of the Council of Samara Saints, which takes place annually on August 12, we are sharing the biographies of outstanding shepherds of our region. One such striking example of loyalty to the Church is Presbyter Konstantin Sukhov. Hieromartyr Konstantin was born in 1867 into the family of a priest and after graduating from the Simbirsk Theological Seminary he accepted holy orders. In 1890, the young shepherd entered the clergy of the Samara diocese. For more than seven years he served in the village of Tsarevshchina, Samara district, combining pastoral duties with the management of the local parochial school. From the chronicles we know about the deep respect of the parishioners, who in 1900 sent a deputation to the ruling bishop Gury and achieved the return of their beloved priest, who had been transferred to another district. This period in the life of the Sukhov family was marked by personal grief: a diphtheria epidemic claimed the priest’s three young children.

In the fall of 1903, Father Konstantin was transferred to Buguruslan, which was then part of the Samara diocese, where he became rector of the largest Cathedral of the Ascension of the Savior. Experienced family losses prompted...