Hieromartyr Anatoly, presbyter of the Mari: holiness and talent

This article is a description of the life path of the Holy Martyr Anatoly Ivanovsky (1863-1918), presbyter of Mari. It attempts to show this new martyr of the Russian Church as a musician, singer and church composer. Therefore, the article pays special attention to the facts of the biography of Priest Anatoly, related to this particular creative side of his life.The article covers the period of his life, and this is the end of the XIX – beginning of the XX century. Historical events, the mood of the society of that time – all this was reflected in the destinies of people, in the fate of a rural priest, a man musically gifted by nature. Having grown up in a pious family of a priest, who loved church singing from childhood and had a wonderful voice, he did not abandon clerical obedience throughout his childhood and youth, right up to his marriage and ordination. Further, Father Anatoly set an example of a zealous and caring pastor, a hard worker, a talented teacher and leader, the father of a large family of gifted children like him, as well as a musician, a connoisseur and connoisseur of church singing.The beginning of the XX century is a time of deep upheavals of the entire Russian society. The terrible persecutions inflicted on the Russian Orthodox Church revealed to the world the true ascetics of piety. In the atmosphere of betrayal and denunciation that engulfed people, they had to make a difficult choice: stay with Christ, faithful to death to Him, or break down under the pressure of the Bolsheviks. The steadfastness shown by priest Anatoly in the most difficult events of his fate showed the world the holiness of this simple village priest, who currently, standing before the Throne of God, is the intercessor and prayer book of all those who turn to him for help.