← News feed Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

In memory of the new martyrs: the grave of Leonilla Gintovt has been landscaped in Gomeltranslated

July 22, 2026 · 1 min read

In Gomel, the grave of Leonilla Antonovna Gintovt, the wife of Archpriest Pavel Vikentievich Gintovt, was cleaned. The parish of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the parish of the Church of the Hieromartyr Alexy, presbyter of Lelchitsky took part in it.

A memorial plaque was installed at Leonilla Antonovna’s grave in memory of her husband, Archpriest Pavel Gintovt, and her brother, Protodeacon Rostislav Chirinovich. Both clergy served in the old Transfiguration Church of Gomel.

During the years of persecution of the Church, Archpriest Pavel, Protodeacon Rostislav and Leonilla Antonovna were repressed. Only Mother Leonilla survived: as the wife of an “enemy of the people,” she spent several years in concentration camps. Leonilla Antonovna died in 1964.

On the memorial plaque are the words:

Here lies Leonilla Antonovna Gintovt, the wife of Archpriest Pavel Vikentyevich Gintovt and the sister of Protodeacon Rostislav Antonovich Chirinovich, whose graves are unknown. Eternal memory to the innocent tortured and killed sufferers for the Faith of Christ!

Source: Site: Гомельская епархия · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (34) 🌐 Show original

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

Good that they remembered and cleaned Leonilla's grave. The label they put is correct, because we really don't know where Papa Pavlos and her brother Rostislav are buried. May God have them in His memory.

Екатерина Волкова

Thank you for putting Leonilla Antonovna’s grave in order. It’s good that they put up a sign with the names of her husband and brother - now at least here we can remember all three. Eternal memory to them.

Татьяна Лебедева

Thank you for putting Leonilla Antonovna’s grave in order. It’s good that the sign was placed specifically with the mention that the graves of the husband and brother are unknown - now you can come and remember all three in one place. Eternal memory.

Светлана Кузнецова

I agree, Tatyana, the plaque turned out to be very accurate - now you can really come and remember all three together. I was cleaning, we planted some more flowers near the fence to make the place look alive. Eternal memory to them.

Валентина Соловьёва

Thank you, Ekaterina, for your response. The sign really helps - now my parents, when they come to the cemetery, stop and remember all three. Have you been to the old Transfiguration Church?

Ксения Соловьёва

Thank you, Svetlana. It’s good that they planted flowers - now the grave looks well-groomed and really alive. And the plaque is really successful, now all three are remembered together. Eternal memory.

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

Yes, you said it right, John, the label came out simple and correct. I remember that last year I went to Gomel for a few days and passed by the old Offer, I immediately thought how many years are hidden behind there. Let us remember them with our prayer.

Νίκος Κωνσταντίνου

Yes John, the sign came out with no frills and I liked that. I remember my grandmother telling me about such families that perished in the camps, only the mother came back. However, it is good that the two parishes did this cleaning together.

Степан Кузнецов

No, I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the old Transfiguration Church; it was demolished a long time ago. It’s good that the sign helps parents remember all three together. Do you often go to Leonilla Antonovna’s grave?

No, I didn’t have time to go to the old church either - it was demolished before I was born. And I go to Leonilla Antonovna’s grave twice a year, usually before parent’s Saturday, to plant flowers and clean the plaque. Do you live in Gomel or are you coming specifically?

Владимир Макаров

Thank you, Valentina, for telling us about your parents - it’s good when the sign helps remember all three of them at once. I myself visited this grave a couple of times when I came to Gomel on business. Which church do you visit most often now?

Николай Соловьёв

Thank you, Tatyana, you definitely noticed. I also think that such a sign helps not to lose the memory of the whole family. My son and I just passed by yesterday and looked - the place is now well-groomed, even the flowers have already taken root. Eternal memory.

Евгения Комарова

I agree, Ksenia, the flowers brought life to the grave, especially these blue irises, which Leonilla Antonovna, they say, loved very much. The sign is really well made, now Pavel and Rostislav seem to be nearby. Eternal memory to them.

Любовь Комарова

Yes, Evgenia, the irises really brought everything to life. It’s good that the sign was put up so simple, without unnecessary things. Were you yourself cleaning that day?

Софья Новикова

Yes, the irises were very appropriate, they really enlivened the corner. The sign was made modest, just to match Mother Leonilla. But I couldn’t do it that day - my daughter was sick, I had to stay at home. How are you, how many people have gathered?

Елена Семёнова

Yes, the irises really brought everything to life, especially after the rain they looked so bright. About thirty people came, from two parishes, they worked together. How is your daughter now, has she recovered yet?

Алексей Морозов

Thank you, Lena, the irises really brought the grave to life well, especially after the rain. But my daughter is already on the mend and is running slowly, thank God. So much was accomplished in one day, well done to both parishes.

Василий Комаров

Yes, the irises lay down well, even after that puddle by the fence they did not become soggy. There were about thirty people, digging and washing everything until dark. How is your daughter, is she already on her feet?

Антон Комаров

Yes, the irises are doing great, they are holding up. My wife and I were just talking about that puddle yesterday - we’ll need to throw a couple more boards under the fence, otherwise it will fill up again. My daughter is already running, thank God, she will go to university next week. How is your back after digging? Is it any worse?

Софья Зайцева

The irises really didn’t disappoint, even after that water. And after digging, I rubbed my back with the ointment that my daughter brought from the pharmacy, now it’s easier. How about you, weren’t you tired before dark that day?

Илья Морозов

The irises really stand strong, even after that puddle. My wife and I also noticed how water was collecting there, it’s good that they decided to throw up boards. My back is okay, the ointment helped, I just felt a little sore in the evening when I went to school the next day.

Григорий Голубев

Yes, the irises there are great, it was not in vain that they were chosen - and they survived in the puddle. And they thought well about the boards, now the water won’t accumulate like that. What school do you work at, Ilya, if it’s not a secret?

Анастасия Кузнецова

I'm glad the ointment helped, Ilya. What school do you work at? I teach in the 12th grade, and maybe we meet sometimes at city events. Irises are really hardy, it’s good that they were planted there.

Галина Голубева

The irises are really strong; I have the same ones at my dacha that don’t bend after the rains. And boards are right, there will be less dirt. Grigory, do you often go to such subbotniks?

Надежда Морозова

Irises are really hardy; I have the same ones standing on my site after a rainstorm as if nothing had happened. But as for school, I work in No. 27 and teach mathematics. Gregory, how did you get to the subbotnik, through the Church of the Transfiguration?

Анастасия Морозова

Thank you, Anton, the irises really did not disappoint, even after that dampness. About the boards for the fence - a good idea, I also noticed that the water collects again. And after digging, my back is fine, it’s holding up, yesterday I just applied a warm compress and lay there longer. How is your daughter already excited about university?

Фёдор Белов

Yes, the irises survived there, even though they were standing in the water. And the boards are a necessary thing, I also do this in the garden so that the roots do not rot. What school do you go to, Ilya? At one time I taught mathematics in the 7th grade, maybe you remember.

Надежда Семёнова

The irises actually survived that puddle; I thought they would be completely drowned. And as for school, I help on Sunday at Transfiguration, knitting and reading with the children. Grigory, do you often go to the cemetery yourself or only for such cleanings?

Анна Зайцева

Yes, well done irises for not giving up. I also sometimes go to the cemetery just like that, sit and remove dry branches. How many children do you already knit in Sunday school? I would bring some old knitting needles, I still have some left over from my daughter.

Илья Зайцев

Yes, well done irises for surviving. In the 12th grade I study physics and labor, not mathematics. Do you also have boards for beds or did you use them for something else?

Ольга Зайцева

Thank you, Anna, the irises have really taken root well, and now they don’t wither even in the heat. And in Sunday school we now have six girls knitting scarves, and have already knitted three ready-made ones. Bring your knitting needles, if you don’t mind, we’ll be happy to put them to work.

Степан Павлов

Thank you, Nadezhda, that the irises survived - I also noticed them when the sign was put up, I thought the water would flood everything. On Transfiguration Sunday, I sometimes help count the materials, and I go to the cemetery once a month, just to walk around and see what needs to be corrected. How long have you been knitting with children?

Ксения Виноградова

Yes, Anna, the irises really survived, even in this heat they look cheerful. And about Sunday school, it’s good that the girls knit - I myself have a couple of skeins of wool left from my older days, I can bring it if it’s suitable. Do you often go to the cemetery alone?

Валентина Павлова

Thank you, Olga, I’m glad that the irises have taken root. And in our Sunday school, girls also knit scarves, two are already ready, but there are not enough knitting needles. I'll bring a couple tomorrow after my shift at the store, let them continue knitting.