Constantius the Russian

Holy Venerable Martyr Constantius the Russian was a hieromonk of Russian birth at the Russian embassy church in Constantinople, and was killed by the Turks in the year 1743. He was a Great Russian by birth.

He had special care for adorning the church, for which he gave from his own means too. He was zealous for the services, celebrated the Liturgy almost daily and gave talks twice a week in Russian and Greek. His piety and diligence in fulfilling his duties attracted the people, who loved and respected him. Following some misunderstandings that arose between him and the ambassador, Constantius, angry, went to the sultan and accepted Islam. Soon he deeply repented and, appearing again at the palace, loudly denounced Mohammed and confessed Christ. Enraged, the Turks killed him in the palace square in 1743.