In the autumn of 1918, the Bolsheviks took those sentenced to death to the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Before the execution, Priest Philosopher, supporting more than thirty officers, said: "It's alright, we are going to the Lord. Accept my pastoral blessing and listen to the holy prayers." He then knelt down and calmly recited prayers for the departing soul.

Philosopher, who had ten children, lived modestly. Although he held numerous public positions for the glory of God, they did not bring any income. As the Chairman of the committees for the construction of churches, he managed large sums but gave private lessons to support his family.

He was arrested in August 1918 along with his sons Nikolai, a military doctor, and Boris, a staff captain in the artillery. Parishioners demanded the release of the priest, but the authorities transferred him and his sons from Petrograd to Kronstadt.

On October 30, 1918, Father Philosopher was shot along with his sons and other officers. The execution site was located near the Gulf of Finland between Ligovo and Oranienbaum.

Before the shooting, Father Philosopher was asked whom to kill first: him or his sons. He replied: "My sons." While they were being shot, he prayed on his knees. A squad of Red Army soldiers refused to shoot the priest. Then they called in Chinese soldiers, but they too, intimidated by his spiritual strength, refused. In the end, the commissioner approached him and shot him at point-blank range with a revolver. The bodies were thrown into the Gulf of Finland.