Moscow, June 27, 2024
The martyred Fr. Nikolai. Photo: pravmir.ru
The priest martyred in the terrorist attacks in the Russian Republic of Dagestan earlier this week has been posthumously honored by both Church and state.
Two churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post were attacked on Sunday, leaving many dead, including Archpriest Nikolai Kotelnikov, 66, and a church guard named Mikhail Vavilin.
Fr. Nikolai, having served as a priest for over 40 years, was known and beloved by many. Following his martyric death, locals established a spontaneous memorial for him, placing flowers and candles
And yesterday, June 26, during the session of the Supreme Church Council at Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, Patriarch Kirill announced his decision to bestow the Church’s Order of the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, 1st Degree upon the martyred Fr. Nikolai, reports Patriarchia.ru.
Additionally, in a decree dated June 25, President Vladimir Putin awarded Fr. Nikolai the Order of Courage, and Mikhail Vavilin, who died defending the church and people in Makhachkala from terrorists, the Medal of Courage.
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