DECEMBER 16, 2021
RUSSIA

UPDATE | Daily Personal Bible Reading Helps Five Brothers and One Sister Endure Persecution

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On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk convicted Brothers Denis Antonov, Vladimir Atryakhin, Aleksandr Korolev, Georgiy Nikulin, Sister Yelena Nikulina, and Brother Aleksandr Shevchuk. Denis, Aleksandr Korolev, and Aleksandr Shevchuk were each sentenced to two years in prison. Georgiy and Yelena were sentenced to four years and two months in prison, and Vladimir was sentenced to six years in prison. All of the sentences will begin immediately.

Time Line

June 11, 2021

The first court session in the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk began
April 2, 2021

Yelena was officially charged with participating in the activities of and recruiting for an extremist organization
March 31, 2021

Vladimir was officially charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization
July 2, 2019

Aleksandr Shevchuk and Georgiy were released from pretrial detention and ordered not to leave the area
March 28, 2019

Vladimir was released from custody and ordered not to leave the area
February 8, 2019

Aleksandr Shevchuk, Vladimir, and Georgiy were sent to a pretrial detention center
February 4, 2019

A criminal case was opened by the FSB against the five brothers and Yelena for organizing the activities of an extremist organization

Profiles

Denis Antonov

Born: 1976 (Syktyvkar, Komi Republic)

Biography: During his childhood, his father managed crops, requiring the family to relocate frequently. Attended a technical school to become a mining equipment electrician and mechanic

Worked in a mine as an electrical technician for five years. Loves photography and chess

Had many questions about God and tried unsuccessfully to understand religious literature and the Bible. While serving in the army, corresponded with a friend who was studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Learning about the Bible’s consistency and God’s name, Jehovah, touched Denis’ heart. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1998. Married Olga in 2015

Personal Comments

Can you mention a Bible verse that has helped you to be courageous and endure?

One of my favorite verses is Genesis 15:1 . . . This verse is especially precious to me because it kept popping into my head on the evening the FSB officers found me in our apartment and took me to be interrogated. . . . It calmed me down and helped me to remain faithful.

Vladimir Atryakhin

Born: 1987 (Rozhdestveno, Republic of Mordovia)

Biography: Raised in a single-parent family. Has a younger brother. Enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, and hockey. A computer programmer by trade. Works as a systems administrator

Became interested in the Bible while still in school. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2004. Married Mariya in 2009. The couple has two small children, who were nine months old and two years old at the time of his arrest

Personal Comments

How has your relationship with Jehovah grown during these trials?

Finding myself cut off from my family, I was extremely downhearted and restless. When I was taken to the detention center, one of the workers was filling out some documents. Meanwhile, he asked me why they were detaining me. I must have shared my worries [about my family] with him. With no hesitation, he told me: “Your people will not abandon your family.” . . . He was certain that my fellow believers would take care of my family . . . It seemed to me that Jehovah was using this guard to remind me that I could rely on Him. When I left the detention center and was able to talk with my wife, I was so astounded at just how tenderly Jehovah had cared for my family by means of our fellow believers.

Aleksandr Korolev

Born: 1978 (Zemetchino, Penza Region)

Biography: Grew up without a father. Enjoyed fishing and playing soccer as a child. After high school, worked as a truck driver and machinist. Also worked on a farm as a shepherd and livestock breeder. Currently works as a carpenter and woodworker

Studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses supplied him with answers to questions that had troubled him for years. Baptized in 1998. In 2006, married Natalya, who has a son they are raising together

Personal Comments

How does attendance at the weekly meetings continue to benefit you?

The Bible reading at the midweek meeting stands out to me. When I consider the examples of past servants of Jehovah, I am built up by the courage and faith they displayed. Applying the suggestions we receive at the meetings helps me to conduct myself in a kind way. I continue to pray for guidance on how to act properly and avoid . . . bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name.

Georgiy Nikulin

Born: 1963 (Rovenky, Ukraine)

Biography: Completed training to work as a driver and auto mechanic. Also skilled in graphic design, satellite radio repair, equipment maintenance, and wood carving

Has always loved studying and learning new things. Particularly interested in mankind’s origin. Studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses has led to many satisfying answers

Personal Comments

What helped you maintain your faith and courage while you were in the detention center?

Researching the Scriptures and meditating on Bible verses helped me. After all, [the Bible] contains many examples of Jehovah’s servants who have displayed faith and courage. It is a sheer delight for me to imitate them.

We know from history that Satan employs incredible lies as he tries to undermine our endurance. We also know not to take to heart all the lies and slander but, rather, to accept them as something to be expected.

Yelena Nikulina

Born: 1968 (Monastyrskoe, Republic of Mordovia)

Biography: Enjoyed cross-country skiing and sewing as a child. Received training as a tailor and later as a pattern cutter. Moved to Saransk and Tolyatti in search of work. Worked as a seamstress. Currently works in janitorial services

Married Georgiy in 2016. They took an interest in the Bible. Learned that God is not indifferent to people’s suffering but is empathetic and loving. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2017

Personal Comments

What benefit did you receive from the help your brothers and sisters provided?

A year after the [police] search, there was a fire that left us homeless. . . . The care that the brothers and sisters showed us really impressed my relatives. Now they are applying Bible counsel in their lives and [progressing spiritually].

Aleksandr Shevchuk

Born: 1989 (Pyatigorsk, Stavropol Territory)

Biography: Trained in landscape design and construction. Later moved to Saransk. Worked for a furniture manufacturer. Loves basketball and table tennis

His great-grandfather and great-grandmother were exiled to Siberia for being Jehovah’s Witnesses. Both of his parents were born in Siberia

Baptized in 2006. Performed alternative civilian service in place of compulsory military service

Personal Comments

During the four months that you spent in the detention center, what spiritual habits helped you deal with the adversities?

We always read the daily text together as a family each morning before breakfast, even when I was very young. This became a deep-rooted habit in my life that I tried to maintain even while I was in prison. At the beginning, when I did not have a Bible, I tried to call to mind some verse or the example of some servant of Jehovah and meditate. The first passage like that was Isaiah 40:26-31. It is one of my favorite scriptures. It helps me not to forget that Jehovah is the Creator, and that he possesses tremendous power and might. He applies that power for our benefit as simple humans, strengthening us in difficult circumstances.

We are certain that Jehovah will continue to display loyal love and faithfulness to our dear brothers and sisters facing prosecution in Russia while they continue to trust in Him.—Genesis 32:10.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE | Daily Personal Bible Reading Helps Five Brothers and One Sister Endure Persecution

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Profiles

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