In memory of Rev. A. V. Martynova, prof. Theology of the Moscow Agricultural Institute

On the night of November 16-17, Archpriest Alexander Vasilyevich Martynov, Professor of Theology at the Moscow Agricultural Institute, 44 years old, unexpectedly died. His early death created the impression of an “irreparable loss” 1 for the Institution in whose service he ended his life. The deceased was the son of a priest of the Yaroslavl province. Lyubimsky district, village of Mechekhodova. He received his initial education at the Poshekhonsky Theological School, then at the Yaroslavl Theological Seminary, from which he was sent to the Moscow Theological Academy with an excellent recommendation and, after passing the exam, was accepted as one of its students in 1878. At the end of the course in 1882, on September 23, the Academy Council elected him to the Department of Patristics with the rank of Privat-Associate Professor. Then, as a result of the introduction of a new charter and staff of Theological Academies, Supremely approved on April 20. 1884 Remained at the Academy with the title of Corrective Associate Professor in the same department. Upon submission of a dissertation for the degree of Master of Theology entitled “The Teaching of St. Gregory Bishop of Nyssa on the Nature of Man,” M. 1830 and its defense, he was approved by the Holy Synod for the degree of Master of Theology; in the same year he was elected Associate Professor of the Academy. In 1891, the Academy Council entrusted Alexander Vasilyevich, in addition to lecturing in the Department of Patristics, with teaching English with the rank of Lecturer. In 1893, by the definition of the Holy Synod, Alexander Vasilyevich was appointed Rector of the Kharkov Theological Seminary: on May 5 of this year, His Grace Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov was ordained a deacon, on the 6th a priest, and on the 9th he was elevated to the rank of Archpriest. Alexander Vasilievich served at the Kharkov Seminary for only one year, quite unexpectedly receiving an appointment to the post of Rector of the Taurida Theological Seminary. At this time, the Department of Theology and the position of Rector at the house church of the Institute were opened at the Moscow Agricultural Institute, and Alexander Vasilyevich, refusing an unexpected appointment, took these positions. In 1894, his service began at the Agricultural Institute. With his usual zeal and his characteristic tact, Alexander Vasilyevich again assumed the position of professor, now complicated by the duties of a clergyman and pastor. In a short time, he managed to get his bearings in his new position and gain respect and love from his superiors, colleagues and students of the Institute. Alexander Vasilyevich was an active Member of the Council and Management Board of the Institute and Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Society for the Benefit of Needy Students of the Moscow Agricultural Institute. In recent years, he also carried out the work of teaching Theology at women's courses and at the Women's Classical Gymnasium S. N. Fischer. In his position as Rector and Pastor, Alexander Vasilyevich was a reverent, zealous and protective figure, gathering his spiritually diverse flock in the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and in the Peter and Paul Parish School. Both this church and this school, during the short service of Alexander Vasilyevich, received a renewed beautiful appearance and were full of people praying and seeking the light and joy of the Faith of Christ: in the church a well-organized choir of amateurs and students of the parish school sang. Alexander Vasilyevich was “a man of action, intelligent, fruitful work,” as Prof. characterized him in his funeral speech. N. M. Kulagin; and he intensified his business jealousy, losing sight of the fact that his weakened health required just the opposite attitude, and thereby shortened his life path, dying in the background and fulfilling his duty. All the more valuable is his truly selfless service to duty, the persistent struggle with the infirmities of the flesh for the sake of holy work in the field of God. The versatility of his responsibilities was the reason that Alexander Vasilyevich did not have the opportunity to concentrate his scientific activity on any theological specialty and leave behind works that would reveal to everyone his extensive erudition, ability for subtle analysis, and skill in mastering a distinct, beautiful style. His master's thesis and several articles in various theological journals can only testify to the wonderful works he could have contributed to theological literature if his premature death had not interrupted his intense activity. On November 20, the Most Reverend Arseny Bishop of Volokolamsk, Rector of the M.D. Academy, with a council of clergy in the presence of many worshipers, performed a funeral Liturgy and funeral service for the deceased in the Institute Church, whose coffin, then, by professors and students, was taken out of the church, surrounded around it, carried to the house in which the deceased lived, from here to the hearse, on which it was transported a quiet solemn procession to the All-Sorrow Monastery. Here, in front of the gates of the monastery, the coffin was met by the Protopresbyter of the Assumption Cathedral, Vl. S. Markov and, with the bell ringing, he was lowered into a grave in the new cemetery of the monastery in the vicinity of the graves of the deceased’s recently deceased colleagues: Professor M.K. Tursky and doctor E.P. Kondakov. Words by K. A. Rachinsky, Director of the Agricultural Institute. You might be interested in: