Alexander Shalay

Saint Hieromartyr Alexander Shalay (1879 to 1937) was an archpriest in the Minsk region and was shot on 14 November 1937, at Bobruisk. He is commemorated on 14 November, on 7 February with the synaxis of the new martyrs, and on 11 July with the saints of Belarus. In 1999 he was recognized as a locally venerated saint by the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, and in the year 2000 he was glorified throughout the Church at the Jubilee Bishops' Council.

Alexander Semyonovich Shalay was born on 20 November 1879 in the city of Slutsk, into the family of a townsman. Preparing for the priesthood, he finished the church school at Slutsk and the Minsk seminary, where he studied in the same year as the future hieromartyr John (Pashin). On 13 August 1901 he was ordained deacon, and on 15 August priest. He served at the church of the Protection of the Mother of God in the village of Ostrozhanka, Mozyr district, was rector of the church at Kimeya, Borisov district, and on 1 May 1908 was moved to the church at Drichin, Igumen district. His last place of service was the church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Blon, Pukhovichi district, Minsk region, where he was rector in the thirties.

Father Alexander was a man of unshakable religious convictions, a zealous man of prayer and a caring pastor. According to the recollections of eyewitnesses, when in August 1935 the church at Blon was closed and they set about taking down the bells, Father Alexander approached the group of villagers gathered and, addressing those doing the lawlessness, said in vexation: "Why do you take up what is not your business? It seems you have nothing to do, that you spoil the church's goods." Someone remembered these words and later denounced Father Alexander. After the church was closed, though he did not serve, for lack of a building, he continued to perform what the parishioners asked. At the general census of the population he organized among the people of Blon a collection of signatures for the opening of the church.

All this was remembered against him at his arrest on 6 August 1937. He was accused of "counter-⁠revolutionary agitation aimed at the disintegration of collective farms". But the true reason for the arrest was different: his refusal to renounce faith in God and the priestly rank. He was questioned several times, and with God's help found the strength not to admit guilt of the absurd charges brought against him and not to accuse anyone. Without trial or investigation, on 10 October 1937 Archpriest Alexander Shalay was sentenced to death. All his property was confiscated, and his family, with four children (Volya, Alexander, Irina and Natalia), was driven out. He was killed on 14 November 1937 in the city of Bobruisk, suffering as a martyr for the confession of the Orthodox faith.