Leonid Biryukovich

Holy Hieromartyr Leonid Biryukovich, a priest and archpriest (1864-1937), was born in 1864 in the village of Ukhvala, Borisov district, in a hereditary clerical family. His full name was Leonid Biryukovich. He graduated from the theological seminary in Minsk. In 1899 he received the priesthood and was appointed rector of the Dormition church in the village of Brodets, Igumen district.

For thirty-⁠seven years the priest served in that little village lost among forests and swamps, but even there he was arrested several times. The first time in 1934, because he kept at home a few coins of tsarist minting. In 1935 he was arrested again. Learning that the authorities intended to close the church, he succeeded in rousing the people to defend it and organised its defence. For three days and nights the villagers resisted, guarding the church day and night. But the forces were unequal and the Bolsheviks prevailed: the church was closed. Father Leonid was sentenced to six years in a camp. Because of a sharp worsening of his health they had to release him. Returning to the village, the priest began to collect signatures for the opening of the church and was soon arrested again. He refused to give statements to representatives of the NKVD, after which he was cruelly beaten. He was shot in Minsk on 20 August 1937.

He is commemorated on 25 August, on 11 July, with the Synaxis of the Saints of Belarus (the date moves), and on 7 February, with the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, in the new style.