Sergei shares his life story-as an orphan, a succesful leader of the Communist Youth League, a naval officer, and a leader in raids to stop the Believers. A captivating story that reveals how deceived the Russians were/are about non-Communist ways of life and how strong the believers were/are despite brutal opposition. Sergei's escape off of a naval trawler into Canada (freedom!!) is incredible!
Sadly, Sergei died at the age of twenty-one. Initially his death was ruled suicide. A few months later an inquest was held. They then ruled his death accidental. I thought his death was a bit odd so I googled him. In 2013 Christianity Today published an online article about his life, stating a lot of his story was fabricated. I revisited the article but could not read it because it was open only to paying members (I guess my first reading was my "one free article".). Another website, Muckrock, exposes the contradictory testimonies about his death and other interactions he had with the FBI and CIA.
Despite these confusing conclusions/opinions, I am in awe of the Christians in Russia during this period as they continued to meet and worship the Lord. Also, Sergei was amazed (& confused) how the numbers of the Believers increased even though they were beating them and how many of them were young people.
Warning: excess drinking, graphic violence, some sexual violence-stripping off female Christians' clothing and touching them
-Borrowed from my church library.
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