The overthrow of the Tsar, "he who restraineth" (2 Thes. 2:7) opened the way for the servants of Antichrist to exterminate the spiritual powers of Russia, and first all - the clergy. With the slaying of Metropolitan Vladimir on January 25 (February 7), 1918 at the gates of the ancient Kiev Caves monastery began the reign of terror against Russian Orthodox heirarchy.