Nikolay | |
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Rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin of Derbent | |
![]() Father Nikolay in 2017 | |
Native name | Николай |
Church | Russian Orthodox Church |
Diocese | Diocese of Makhachkala |
Orders | |
Ordination | 1977 |
Personal details | |
Born | Nikolay Mikhailovich Kotelnikov 1958 |
Died | (aged 66) Derbent, Dagestan, Russia |
Nationality | Russian |
Spouse | Valentina Kotelnikova |
Children | 3 |
Father Nikolay Mikhailovich Kotelnikov (Russian: Николай Михайлович Котельников, 1958 – 23 June 2024) was a Russian Orthodox protoiereus who served as rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in Derbent for more than 40 years. For a long time he was the only Orthodox priest in the city, and was considered the oldest abbot in Dagestan.[1]
Suffering from terminal cancer, he continued to hold services until 23 June 2024,[2] when Kotelnikov was murdered by Islamic terrorists that attacked and burned down his church, among other targets. It was later revealed that Kotelnikov was one of the attackers' primary targets.