Nicholas Prozorov

Saint Nicholas Prozorov, hieromartyr, was a priest of the Russian Church, a former artillery officer, and was shot on 21 August 1930 at Leningrad. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in 1981, and his name was entered in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church by decision of the Holy Synod of 11 March 2020.

He was born in the village of Pokrovskoe, Penza governorate. He studied at the theological seminary but left it in 1915 and, at eighteen, went as a volunteer to the front. In the same year he finished the Mikhailovsky artillery school. He commanded a battalion. The revolution found him a second lieutenant. In 1918 he was an inspector of Vsevobuch. On returning from the front to Penza he was accused with other officers of a plot and sentenced to death by shooting. Praying fervently while waiting for the execution, he vowed to become a priest if the Lord spared his life. In the morning he was told that the shooting was commuted to imprisonment for many years.

Set free, he received the priesthood in 1919, ordained by Archbishop John (Pommer). From 1919 to 1927 he served in village churches near Penza. He was arrested in 1924 and soon released. From the beginning of 1927 he lived in Leningrad, studied at the theological-⁠pastoral school and then at the Higher Theological Courses (until July 1928). He served at the church of the Lavra Cenobium. In 1928 to 1929 he was rector of the church of Saint Alexander of Oshevensk on Piskarevka. He was of the Josephite party and was secretary to Bishop Demetrius (Lyubimov).

He was arrested on 28 November 1929. By decision of the OGPU Collegium of 3 August 1930, under article 58, points 10 and 11, he was sentenced to death. He was shot on 21 August 1930. He was rehabilitated on 2 October 1989. He had three daughters.