Viktor Matveyevich Matveyev

Known in Alma-Ata as the wanderer Viktor, he was a companion of the holy martyrs Hieromonks Seraphim, Feognost, Anatoly, and Pakhomiy. He was born on October 11, 1871, in the village of Borovichi, Nikondrovskaya volost, Novgorod province, in a family of a regular soldier of the Tsar's army. In his youth, he was healed by the righteous Saint John of Kronstadt from an incurable ailment and blessed by him for wandering. For many years he wandered across Russia, arriving in the city of Verny before the revolution. Since 1906, he lived in the mountains on Mokhnataya Sopka, then on Mount Gorelnik with Hieromonk Pakhomiy. In the 1930s, until his arrest, he lived in the Aksay gorge. He practiced unceasing mental and heart-felt Jesus prayer, and during prayer, he would rise from the ground. He was highly regarded by the people as a clairvoyant elder.

He was arrested in Alma-Ata on September 2, 1935. He was prosecuted together with Hieromonk Pakhomiy. On January 28, 1936, he was sentenced by the USSR NKVD to 5 years of exile for "participation in a counter-revolutionary group." He served his exile in the village of Orlovka, Chayanovsky district, South Kazakhstan region. He was arrested again in December 1937. He was prosecuted together with priests Nikolai Mironovsky and Vladimir Preobrazhensky.

During interrogation on December 25, 1937, he did not admit guilt in conducting counter-revolutionary activities but confirmed that he attended secret church services held in Orlovka by the exiled priest Vladimir Preobrazhensky in the presence of 10-15 believers. He expressed a desire to obtain permission from the NKVD to live in the mountains.

When asked by the investigator: "What were your goals in wanting to go to the mountains and settle there?" he replied: "Due to my religious beliefs, I wandered around various countries and monasteries my entire life. Since 1906, I settled in the mountains of Alma-Ata and lived there continuously until 1935. When I was exiled to the village of Orlovka, I also wanted to go to the mountains and live in a cave. My goal was to leave all worldly things and live in solitude, as monks did in ancient times."

By the decision of the NKVD troika of the South Kazakhstan region on December 30, 1937, wanderer Viktor, together with priests Nikolai Mironovsky and Vladimir Preobrazhensky, was sentenced to execution by shooting.

The sentence was carried out on December 31, 1937.

He was glorified by the Jubilee Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.