From Village Boy to Soldier, Martyr and, Many Say, Saint

Published: November 21, 2003

KURILOVO, Russia — Shoulders back, chest out, the young soldier stands as if on parade in his camouflage fatigues — his boots polished, his rifle at his shoulder, a halo around his head.
His face is the blank mask of a man for whom duty is life. It is not easy being a soldier, or a saint.
Portraits of this young man, Yevgeny Rodionov, are spreading around Russia — sometimes in uniform, sometimes in a robe, sometimes armed, sometimes holding a cross, but always with his halo.

 Related article and photo, here... Except he hasn't been canonized by the Orthodox Church yet.

New York Times Article further, here...

H/t: JonB