Gerasim Kondratyev Colonel of the Sumy Cossack Regiment, who founded the city of Sumy Date of Birth: . Country: Dive

1. Heraism Kondratyevich: The Founder of Sumy
2. Early Life and Military Service
3. Governance of Sumy
4. Legend of His Sister
5. Recognition and Legacy

Heraism Kondratyevich: The Founder of Sumy

Heraism Kondratyevich was a colonel of the Sumy Cossack Regiment who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the city of Sumy. He was also the progenitor of the Kondratyev nobles, who owned one of the wealthiest estates in the Slobozhanshchyna region, known as Khoten.

Early Life and Military Service

Prior to 1655, Kondratyevich served as a Cossack chieftain in the town of Stavychi, which was part of the Belotserkovsky Regiment of the Commonwealth of Poland. In 1655, he led a group of Cossacks and their families to the Sloboda Ukraine, where they founded the city of Sumy on June 25.

Governance of Sumy

As the colonel of the Sumy Cossack Regiment, Kondratyevich exhibited exceptional administrative skills. Under his leadership, numerous churches and two monasteries were constructed. He also supported the establishment of folk schools at the churches on his estates. According to historian G. K. Lukomsky, Kondratyevich was "a wise administrator, the builder of many churches and two monasteries, and if not the founder, then the patron of several folk schools at the churches of his estates."

Legend of His Sister

A legend surrounds Kondratyevich's sister, who was described as a courageous but unscrupulous woman. She assembled a band of rogues and robbed Muscovite merchants along the highway. Upon learning of his sister's activities, Kondratyevich demanded that she cease her criminal behavior. Despite his entreaties, she persisted in her ways. As a result, Kondratyevich imprisoned her in a stone wall, effectively entombing her.

Recognition and Legacy

In 1687, Kondratyevich was granted the rank of nobleman for his military service and contributions. His son, Andrey Gerasimovich Kondratyev, also became a colonel in the Sumy Cossack Regiment and was later appointed as a stolnic (court official) in the Muscovite court. In 1800, the Kondratyev family coat of arms was inscribed in the General Armorial of the Noble Families of the Russian Empire. In the same year, the heiress to the Kondratyev estate married Mikhail Komburley, the governor of Kursk.