Samara saints of God: Hieromartyr Alexander (Trapitsyn), Archbishop of Samaratranslated

We continue the series of publications dedicated to the ascetics of the Samara land, whose memory is reverently honored on the eve of the celebration of the Council of Samara Saints on August 12. Today's story is dedicated to the archpastor, whose life path became an example of unshakable faith, courage and fidelity to the Church in an era of cruel trials - Hieromartyr Alexander (Trapitsyn). The future saint was born in 1862 in the Vyatka province into a large family of a deacon and, after graduating from the Kazan Theological Academy, received holy orders. After the early death of his wife, Father Alexander chose the path of pure church service and took monastic vows in 1900. Over the years of zealous labors, he bore the obedience of the rector of the Kaluga Theological Seminary, and in 1904 in St. Petersburg he was consecrated Bishop of Murom. At all places of his ministry, including the Vladimir and Vologda departments, the bishop paid great attention to spiritual education, parish schools and the reform of parish life for the sake of uniting the believers.

In 1917, he took an active part in the work of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, and in 1919 he courageously spoke out against the blasphemous actions of the atheistic authorities...