Background
SVYATIN, Leonid was born in 1893 in Verkhneuralsk, now Orenburg Oblast.
SVYATIN, Leonid was born in 1893 in Verkhneuralsk, now Orenburg Oblast.
Graduated Orenburg Theol. Seminary; studied at Kazan Theol.
In World War I company commander, then staflfcapt. in Russia Army. After defeat of Volunteer Army emigrated to Hankow, and from there to Peking, where he worked with Russia Orthodox Mission. Took monastic vows with name Viktor, and ordained priest.
1921 sent to Vladivostok by Russia Orthodox Mission in Peking. 1922 returned to Peking and appointed Superior, Tientsin parish, where he built a church, a hospital, a hospice and a Russ, school. 1928 elevated to archimandrite.
1929 founded Serafim Sarovsky House of Mercy in Tientsin. 1932 appointed Bishop of Shanghai and Vicar to Archbishop of China and Peking. 1933 headed Russia Ecclesiastical Mission in China, then appointed Archbishop of China and Peking.
After World War II entered jurisdiction of Moscow Patriarchy. 1950 attended Conference of Heads of Russia, Georgia and Armenian Churches on the Defense of Peace. 1952 Exarch of Moscow Patriarchy in Eastern Asia.
1952 delivered pastoral message condemning Americans as aggressors guilty of waging bacteriological warfare in Korea. 1954 repatriated to USSR.