It is not strange to find in the lives of saints a man and his wife who possess the heavenly crowns that were symbolically placed on their heads when they married. Certainly, marriage is not an obstacle to attaining holiness, but the external circumstances of married life, raising children, and supporting the family, all make the couple, in most cases, less prepared to commit themselves to the spiritual life. Since the life of holy couples often remains hidden in God, it is encouraging to read about a couple who are burning with love for Christ and His Church. This is one of the moving stories summarized about the martyr priest Elias and his choir. [1] Afghania (Shtrovukhin) who shared both his joys and his sorrows.
Their marriage
Khorezia Afgania was a pious girl, and her desire was to become a nun. However, she was not encouraged by Elder Barnabas, who was in the Skete of Gethsemane, and who advised her to find a husband. Under her influence, Father Elias abandoned his promising university studies and entered the theological faculty of the Lavra of St. Sergius of the Holy Trinity. Afgania's father was against her marrying before Elias had finished his theological studies, fearing that they would run into financial difficulties. But he was eventually convinced that they could handle their affairs, and he gave his consent.
The young couple spent their honeymoon in the Zosimas hermitage, where they were subject to the obedience of the hermit Elder Alexei. After returning to Moscow, they rented an apartment near the St. Sergius Monastery. They were so poor that Afghania could only keep six pieces of wood in the stove to keep warm.
Father Elias completed his academic studies before the outbreak of the revolution in 1917. After his ordination, he served for a short time in a church affiliated with the poorhouse, then he was transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas, where he served until he was arrested in 1932.
Father Elias was a zealous priest. He never shortened the divine services. He read the liturgies aloud and often read the canons. The choirwoman came to church every day and led the choir. In that sad time, after the revolution, St. Nicholas Church was a source of spiritual light for many believers. “Oh, our church in Tolmakhov shone with purity! But it was so cold that your feet would freeze,” recalls a woman from Father Elias’s parish.
Glory to God for everything
Mother trusted in God in all circumstances. Once, on the feast of St. Nicholas, she came back from church to prepare food, for on such a day the parishioners were accustomed to gather at the priest's house for a modest meal. Digging into her pockets, she discovered that she had no money, so she ran back to church and asked Father if he had any. With a look full of regret, he gave her a few copper coins, which would not have bought anything, and she returned home. On the way home she thought: “How nice it would be if I had two rubles, then I could buy a few peas and oil and other things and that would be enough.”
It was a warm autumn day, and there were puddles of rainwater in front of their porch. In those days it was impossible to get shoes, so Matushka wore rolled-up cloths on her feet. With these feet covered, she jumped between the puddles. Suddenly, her eyes fell on two carefully rolled-up paper rubles, which looked like two boats floating on the surface of the water. She caught them and began asking passers-by if anyone had lost two rubles, but everyone said no. Then Matushka thanked God and said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all the rest will be added to you.” She began to prepare the simple meal.
For many people, the words of the Bible were known and repeated mechanically, but for Matushka they were real, living words. Even when she had difficulty, or when people took advantage of her believing heart, she would simply say, “Glory to God for everything,” despite the multiplication of difficulties and suffering.
Difficulties and suffering
The younger son caught a cold that turned into meningitis while the priest had broken her hand. The child’s suffering was so unbearable that he himself asked: “Is it true, mother, that I am also a martyr?” On the day of his death, a monk congratulated her, saying: “You have a son in heaven.”
Times were tough and people were flocking to Father Elias with their worries and requests for help. Matushka was his faithful assistant in everything. She sang in church every day. They were somehow able to maintain the beauty and piety of the church services.
Arrest and martyrdom
In 1932, Father Elias was summoned by the secret police, who promised him that they would not harm him if he left the priesthood. Like St. Natalia, the priestess encouraged her husband in his struggle to become a confessor. Father Elias was arrested. The priestess spent the night in prayer and tears. About morning she fell into a short nap and the Mother of God appeared to her, saying: “Do not be afraid. They will not do anything to your priest husband in prison. I will intercede for him.”
After the arrest of Batyushka, new misfortunes befell the priest. She and her children were thrown out of the apartment and were homeless for some time until a family took them in. The children were also expelled from school and their large library was stolen. The greatest loss was the death of their only daughter, Mashenka, who, when she was less than five years old, could not resist hunger and cold and died of a simple childhood disease. Despite all this, Matyushka insisted on repeating with St. John Chrysostom, “Glory to God for all things.”
Two years later, the priest was able to visit Father Elias, who had been exiled to an isolated northern village. She brought him a Bible, but it was immediately confiscated. She was able to give him some holy water, however.
Father Elias told her everything that had happened during those two years and how unimaginable it was, how he had been led from his filthy cell in the overcrowded prison to the northern town on the frozen snow. With each step the ice was cracking and the prisoners were drowning in the snow up to their waists. They had nothing to eat or drink all day. They were forced to spend the night in a hut where the exhausted men fell to the ground and fell asleep, but he (Father Elias) could not sleep. From the depths of the night a sigh came from his heart: “My God, why have you forsaken me? I have served you faithfully, I have given you my whole life…” Suddenly, a divine visitation touched the soul of that tormented man like fire, sending unearthly consolation, the light of faith secretly illuminated his heart and the love of Christ began to burn in an inexpressible way. From that night onwards he was no longer able to live a normal life. As they said goodbye, Batyushka told Elias the matushka: “Here I began to understand that there is nothing better or more wonderful than Christ, and nothing can replace Him. I am ready to die for Him.” Returning home, the priest found a telegram waiting for her. There had been a fire in the prison camp and Father Elias had perished along with eleven other men. How fitting was the name Elias, which means “flaming one” for this priest.
After the martyrdom of Father Elias
The rest of Khoury's life was not easy. When World War II broke out, misfortunes began to pile up on her shoulders. One of her sons was arrested and two others were sent to the front lines, where the eldest died. Despite all this, she always remained the quiet matushka, placing her hope in God.
Years passed and Matushka lived the same life. There were always people around her because, after her husband's death, she took it upon herself to guide his spiritual children, at his request. God supported her in this task by giving her the gift of discernment.
The priestess Afghania lived a long, difficult and distinguished life. She did not speak loudly and taught no one, but the behavior of this quiet and humble old woman was the best lesson in Christian piety for those who, in those evil times, wanted to live according to Christ. Just as Saint Natalia outlived her husband, Saint Adrian the Martyr, and then died in peace and was counted a martyr with him, so the priest Afghania is also a martyr with her husband, Father Elias.
O new martyr among the priests, Father Elias, and Matushka Afghania, intercede with the Lord for us.
[1] In Russian, Batyushka is what believers call a priest (our father), while the choir is called Matushka.
