Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

  

Martyrdom is bearing witness to Christ and God's Church to the death. Christ Himself, the "Faithful Witness" (Rev., 1:5), "to this end was born, and for this cause came into the world, to bear witness unto the truth" (John 18: 37), and to give up His life through suffering on the Cross for the redemption of many. In the words of the Apostle, we have been redeemed "with the pre­cious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). To bear Christian witness is to give glory to God in living and in dying: "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord" (Romans 14: 8).

The persecution of Christ's Church which arose in Russia in our time was God's will. And once again, as in ancient times, the blood of martyrs was shed in witness to the victory of Christ. Holy Patriarch Tikhon of All Russia, in considering the trials which had been visited upon his flock, courageously called upon them to share with him the cup of martyrdom. "If it becomes necessary to suffer for the sake of Christ, we call upon you, beloved sons and daughters of the Church, we call upon you to suffer to­gether with us. If a redeeming sacrifice is required, the death of the innocent sheep of Christ's flock, I bless the faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ to suffering and death for His sake."

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