Georgy Gapon

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Georgy Gapon
Born	Georgy Apollonovich Gapon (1870-02-17)17 February 1870 Beliki, Poltava Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	10 April 1906(1906-04-10) (aged 36) Ozerki, Saint Petersburg Governorate, Russian Empire
Nationality	Russian
Occupation	Orthodox priest, revolutionary

Georgy Apollonovich Gapon (Russian: Георгий Аполлонович Гапон

17 February 1870 – 10 April 1906) was a Russian Orthodox priest and a prominent revolutionary leader in the early 20th century. He is best known for his role in the events leading up to Bloody Sunday in 1905, a pivotal moment in the Russian Revolution of 1905.

Early Life

Georgy Gapon was born in the village of Beliki in the Poltava Governorate of the Russian Empire. He was the son of a peasant family and showed an early interest in religious studies. Gapon attended a local theological seminary and later graduated from the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy.

Career

After his ordination, Gapon served as a priest in various parishes. He became deeply concerned with the plight of the working class and began to advocate for social reforms. In 1903, he founded the Assembly of Russian Factory and Plant Workers, an organization aimed at improving the conditions of industrial workers.

Bloody Sunday

Gapon's most significant contribution to Russian history came in January 1905. He organized a peaceful march to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The petition called for better working conditions, fair wages, and political reforms. On 22 January 1905, thousands of workers and their families marched towards the Winter Palace. The event turned tragic when the Imperial Guard opened fire on the unarmed demonstrators, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. This event became known as Bloody Sunday and marked a turning point in the Russian revolutionary movement.

Later Life and Death

After Bloody Sunday, Gapon fled to Geneva, where he continued his revolutionary activities. He returned to Russia in 1906 but was soon betrayed by his associates. On 10 April 1906, Gapon was found hanged in a cottage in Ozerki, near Saint Petersburg. His death remains a subject of controversy, with some believing he was murdered by the Okhrana, the Tsarist secret police, while others suggest he was killed by fellow revolutionaries who suspected him of being a double agent.

Legacy

Georgy Gapon's role in the events of 1905 left a lasting impact on Russian history. His leadership during the Bloody Sunday march highlighted the growing discontent among the Russian working class and contributed to the revolutionary fervor that eventually led to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

See Also

• Russian Revolution of 1905
• Bloody Sunday (1905)
• Nicholas II of Russia
• Okhrana