Seraphim Chichagov

Who was Seraphim Chichagov?

Seraphim Chichagov, born Leonid Mikhailovich Chichagov, was a Metropolitan bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church who was executed by firing squad and subsequently canonized as a New Martyr.

Born into a military family, he enlisted as an artillery officer after finishing his schooling. Influenced by his experiences in the Russo-Turkish War and meetings with John of Kronstadt, he resigned from the military and became a clergyman. Following the death of his wife, he entered the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and received the monastic name Seraphim. He was later appointed father superior and Archimandrite of the Monastery of Saint Euthymius, and later the New Jerusalem Monastery. In 1905 he was appointed bishop of Sukhumi. In subsequent years he was appointed Bishop of Orlowski, Chişinău, Tver, and Warsaw. In 1928 was appointed Metropolitan of St. Petersburg.

He retired in 1933 due to age and ill health. Four years later he was arrested and charged with monarchist propaganda. Sentenced to death by firing squad, he was executed on December 11, 1937 at the Butovo firing range.