the holy new martyrs of eastern russia - Coptic Orthodox teaching

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10. HIEROMARTYR STEPHEN, BISHOP OF IZHEVSK
and those with him
Bishop Stephen (in the world, Valerian Stepanovich Bekh) was born on
September 13, 1872 in Zhitomir (according to another source, in the 1870s in
Vologda province, and according to a third – in St. Petersburg) in a noble
family. He graduated from the juridical faculty of St. Petersburg Imperial
University in 1897. On November 8, 1897 he entered Moscow Theological
Academy. A year later, when he was to be transferred to the second course,
he was released from the Academy at his own request. On July 1, 1899 he was
appointed zemstvo leader of the second district of the Yarensk uyezd,
Vologda province. On August 15, 1900 he retired from the service, and on
January 16, 1901 he was appointed teacher of the Law of God in church-parish
schools. In September, 1903 he was again received into the number of the
students of the second course at the Moscow Theological Academy.
"This is how Vladyka Stefan became a monk. The future Vladyka Stefan,
then a young student, was walking along the street. He saw a big crowd in
one entrance and asked:
"'What's going on?'
"'We're waiting for our dear Father John of Kronstadt.'
"A carriage came up. The crowd rushed up to it and pushed the young
future bishop so powerfully that he felt towards Fr. John, who was just
getting out. He looked at him attentively and went into the house. The crowd
remained outside the house. The future bishop also remained, although he
didn't know why. Suddenly an unknown person came out of the house and
asked:
"'Is so-and-so here?' giving Vladyka Stefan's name in the world.
"'That's me,' said the amazed youth.
"'Batyushka is calling you.'
"His amazement increased. He followed the man who had been sent for
him. Fr. John got up to meet him, calling him 'Vladyka'..."
On December 20, 1903 he was tonsured into monasticism. On November 5,
1906 he was ordained to the priesthood. In 1907 he graduated from the
Academy with the degree of candidate of theology. On October 11, 1908 he
was appointed assistant supervisor of the Solikamsk theological school. From
July 28, 1911 he was supervisor of the Mengrelia theological school with the
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