the holy new martyrs of eastern russia - Coptic Orthodox teaching

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Subsequently, in his sermon before his consecration to the episcopate,
Vladyka Andrew recalled with what fear he, a young hieromonk, had taken
upon himself this responsibility: "I have suffered awesome torments ever
since I first heard these words found in the rite for the consecration of a
bishop: 'Take this Covenant (the Body of Christ) and keep it whole and
untainted until your last breath - to Whom you must give an account at the
great and terrible Second Coming of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.'
I thought, 'How can I preserve this great Covenant, which was entrusted to
me, the Body of Christ, if I cannot even preserve myself?' I felt then that the
Holy Mysteries of the Eucharist were, indeed, a fire burning the unworthy.
"For two whole years I found no peace, performing the Holy Mysteries in
fear and trembling on account of my unworthiness, ready to forsake that
terrible and awesome calling. But a meeting with the great Father John of
Kronstadt saved my soul from further bitterness, torment and the
prolongation of the almost sickening duel in my soul. When I asked him for
counsel on this matter, Father John said, 'Yes, we are all guilty before the Holy
Mysteries, but we must be true to our priestly calling, for we are in obedience
to the Holy Church. Weeping over our own sins, we must, however, do the
will of Christ's Church and follow the instructions of the Church which are
made known to us through our Archpastors.'
"These words of Father John were, in truth, a soothing balm for my
wounded and sinful soul which had been torn by various doubts; they made
my outlook on life whole and indicated my path in life; I began to understand
it only as the most precise fulfilment of obedience to the Church, as the most
perfect way of serving the Holy Church, the nation and people of God who
have been redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ."
In 1897 he was appointed inspector of the Alexandrovsky missionary
seminary in the city of Ardon, Ossetia. In 1899 he was promoted to the rank of
archimandrite and appointed overseer of the Kazan missionary courses. He
soon became a popular figure for his deeds of mercy to the poor and needy
and for his asceticism. It was known that he spent his nights in prayer, using a
hard bed with no blanket or pillow for his brief rest. In the midst of his social
activity he always fasted, never eating even fish. When his wealthy admirers
presented him with crates of fresh fruit he immediately gave it away to
seminarians and children. People were astonished to see him eat only two or
three prosphoras and a few glasses of tea a day, never complaining of frailty
or loss of energy, yet his activity was enormous. When raised to the rank of
archimandrite he became abbot of the ancient Holy Transfiguration
Monastery in Kazan, ably governing it, delivered flaming sermons, founded a
convent for Tatar girls, was an excellent spiritual adviser, published a
magazine and booklets, and organized missionary conferences.
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