1900 - Mitrophan Zizhong & Family

June 10, 1900

Mitrophan Zizhong & Family

Beijing

The most famous of the 222 Orthodox martyrs killed by the Boxers was Mitrophan Zizhong and his family. Born in 1855, Zizhong was baptized by Bishop Nicholas of Japan at the age of 25. Many encouraged him to become an Orthodox priest, but he initially declined. One source explains that

“Mitrophan was a low-profile kind of a man, shy and reticent, peaceful and humble; even in case of a grave insult he would never seek to justify himself. He was unwilling to become a priest, saying: ‘A man of poor talent and little virtue, how dare I accept this great rank?’ Encouraged by Archimandrite Flavian and the teacher, he finally consented…. For fifteen years he served God tirelessly, suffering much pain and contempt from everyone near and far, and finally was struck with a mental illness. After that he settled outside of the Mission, receiving half of his former salary as a pension. Throughout his life Fr. Mitrophan was always generous, and many took advantage of him.”[I]

On June 10, 1900, the Boxers set the Orthodox mission buildings ablaze. A large number of believers—about 70—rushed to the home of Mitrophan Zizhong, hoping to be sheltered from the crazed mobs. At about 10 p.m. the Boxers surrounded the house, and every Christian inside was martyred. When the Boxers burst through the gate they found Mitrophan

“…sitting in the front yard; Boxers stabbed his chest like a beehive, and he fell under the date tree. Neighbours dragged his body to the site of the Mission’s hospice…. Fr. Mitrophan had a wife Tatiana, born Li, and three sons: Isaiah, the oldest, Serge, who is now an Archpriest, and John. On the 10th of June in the evening Tatiana escaped the Boxers with the help of her son’s bride, but on the next morning she was beheaded among others…. Isaiah was 23, and he served in the military. He was beheaded on June 7, on the main street near the Bingzemin gates, since it had been known that he was a Christian. His bride Mary, 19, two days before the massacre came to Fr. Mitrophan, willing to die in the house of her bridegroom. Three times tried Isaiah’s brother Serge to convince her to leave and hide, but she refused…. When the soldiers and Boxers overtook the place, she found her rest in the horrible death.”[II]

The youngest son of Mitrophan Zizhong was the eight-year-old John. On June 10th, after his father was killed, Boxers used their razor-sharp swords to slash John’s shoulders and chopped off his nose, ears and toes. When people asked him if it hurt,

“…he answered that it does not hurt to suffer for Christ. Protasios Zhang and Irodion Zui, who had not yet been baptized at that time, testify that they saw John with wounded shoulders and legs: wounds which were deeper than an inch, but he didn't seem to feel pain and, taken again by the Boxers, showed no fear and walked steadily. An old man protested, saying: ‘What is the boy’s fault? Blame the parents for his becoming a devil’s disciple’. Others jeered at him, scoffed him, or simply grinned with derision. Thus he was led away, as a lamb to the sacrifice.”[III]

Thus the entire family of Mitrophan Zizhong was killed except his son Serge, who later became an Archpriest of the Orthodox Church and carried on the faith that his family had honoured for so long.