Hieromartyr Platon, the first Bishop of Estonia, and all the New Martyrs of Estonia

The holy Hieromartyr Platon (Πλάτων) was born on July 13, 1869, at Pootsi in Pätnu county, Estonia. At Holy Baptism, he received the name Paul.

After attending various theological schools, Paul Kulbusch was ordained as a priest. Father Paul travelled about, preaching the Word of God in the Orthodox churches of Estonia.

On December 31, 1917 he was consecrated as the first Bishop of Estonia, engaging in numerous activities in his efforts to elevate the Orthodox parishes. Less than two months after his consecration, Estonia was occupied by the German army. At that time it was very difficult to travel, but that did not stop the Bishop from visiting almost all of the Orthodox parishes in Estonia during that summer.

In 1919, he was arrested by the atheist regime in Moscow and, after being tortured, he was shot on January 14, 1919. Afterward, Archpriest Nicholas Bezhanitsky and Archpriest Michael Bleive were also put to death. Saint Platon's relics rest in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Tallinn.

Today the Church also commemorates all the New Martyrs of Estonia: Priests, Deacons and laymen.

Bishop Platon, Archpriests Nicholas Bezhanitsky and Michael Bleive were glorified as martyrs by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in 1982, and by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2000.

A Church Service in honor of Saint Platon was composed by Metropolitan Joel of Edessa.