Alexander Adrianov

Saint Hieromartyr Alexander Adrianov (died 1918) was a priest, rector of the church of the Three Hierarchs at the Nizhnyaya Tura plant, in the Yekaterinburg diocese, and was shot by the Bolsheviks on 25 November 1918. He is commemorated on 25 November, the day set by the Holy Synod on 7 March 2018, when he was added to the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church, on 7 February with the synaxis of the new martyrs, and on 11 February with the saints of Yekaterinburg.

Father Alexander was a zealous and worthy pastor, who laboured much as a teacher of religion, church builder and member of various committees and societies. His whole life was filled with service to his flock and active love for his neighbours.

In the autumn of 1918, in the Middle Urals, fierce battles were fought between the White and Red armies. The Nizhnyaya Tura plant and its surroundings were under the power of the Bolsheviks, who treated the inhabitants cruelly, including the priests. After the killing of several clergy, most of those who remained left their places. The only one who continued to serve in his parish, celebrating all the services and preaching, was Father Alexander Adrianov.

On 8/21 November Father Alexander was arrested in the church itself, during a festal service, and taken to Vyya station, near the Nizhnyaya Tura plant. On 12/25 November he was shot. According to the testimony of Shipitsyn, a former Red Army man who took part in the shooting, as the Tura priest Adrianov was led to his death he kept repeating quietly, almost in a whisper: "Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." Father Alexander's body was found after five days, lightly covered with snow, with his arms crossed on his chest.