Nykodym was an Eastern Orthodox bishop who served as the Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich. Born Nikolai Vasilyevich Krotkov in 1868 within the Kostroma Eparchy, he was the son of a priest. After completing his theological studies, he rose through the ecclesiastical ranks, serving as a monk, a rector, and eventually a bishop. During the turbulent revolutionary period, he held significant positions in Ukraine, including serving as a vicar to the Metropolitan of Kiev. He was ultimately martyred in 1938 after facing repeated periods of imprisonment.
Ecclesiastical career
Following his graduation from the Kostroma Theological Seminary, Nykodym worked as a teacher before pursuing advanced studies at the Kiev Theological Academy. He was ordained a monk in 1899 and later served as the rector of the Pskov Theological Seminary. His episcopal career included roles as the bishop of Akkerman, the bishop of Chyhyryn, and the bishop of Taurida and Simferopol. Notably, he performed the christening of Pavlo Skoropadskyi in 1918.
Later life and death
Nykodym's later years were marked by significant hardship and repression. He spent much of the decade between 1922 and 1932 in prison. After serving as the archbishop of Kostroma from 1932 until 1937, he was forced into retirement. He faced further legal repression and died while in custody in Yaroslavl in 1938.
Veneration
In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church recognized Nykodym as a hieromartyr. He is commemorated within the Orthodox tradition for his service and his ultimate sacrifice during the era of religious persecution.