JULY 25, 2023
RUSSIA

Witnesses in Vladivostok Sustained by Prayer and Positive Attitude

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The Pervorechenskiy District Court of Vladivostok will soon announce its verdict in the case involving Sisters Nina Astvatsaturova, Yelena Barmakina, Ludviga Katanaeva, Yekaterina Treguba, and Yelena Tsorn, and Brothers Igor Lonchakov and Yuriy Redozubov. The prosecutor has yet to request a potential sentence.

Profiles

Yelena Barmakina

Born: 1967 (Cherepanovo, Novosibirsk Region)

Biography: Works as a photographer

Introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses after mother and brother began to study the Bible. Baptized in 2000

Married Dmitriy in 2006. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2023

Personal Comments

What has helped you to cope with this emotionally challenging time?

Following the search of our home, my husband and I were both arrested and Dmitriy was placed in detention. I was at a loss as to what to do without my husband and how to help him. It was very difficult for me to pray for the first few days because my emotions were so strong. But I remembered that when I feel overwhelmed and do not know what to pray for, Jehovah will accept the inspired prayers of God’s servants from the past that are recorded in the Bible as requests I would like to make. (Romans 8:26) This proved to be very comforting to me during an extremely difficult time.

Igor Lonchakov

Born: 1977 (Saratov, Saratov Region)

Biography: Works as a telecommunications operator for the postal service

His mother became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses while Igor was in college. Seeing her joy motivated him to study the Bible. Baptized in 2008

Personal Comments

What verse from the Bible has taken on special meaning to you?

The physical, emotional, and financial effects of this criminal trial left me thinking about how good my life used to be. I prayed to Jehovah about how I was feeling. Later, I meditated on Ecclesiastes 7:10, where it says: “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ for it is not out of wisdom that you ask this.” That verse helped me to stop and think about the blessings I have in my life: my mother, my fiancée, and my brothers and sisters in the congregation. They are all supporting me. And most importantly, I know Jehovah is with me. Now I regularly include expressions of thanks for all of these blessings when I pray instead of only talking to Jehovah about my problems.

Yuriy Redozubov

Born: 1972 (Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Khabarovsk Territory)

Biography: As a child, developed a talent for painting. Became an art instructor

Married Anastasiya in 1998. They have three daughters

Began reading the Bible as a couple. Met Jehovah’s Witnesses and appreciated having their questions answered from the Bible. Anastasiya was baptized in 2003 and Yuriy in 2004

Personal Comments

What role has prayer played in your ability to endure?

Since this persecution began, my prayers have become much more specific. And I am resolved to maintain a prayerful attitude no matter what happens. One of the things that I ask Jehovah for is to have a calm heart. As a result, my family and I have been able to keep from giving in to discouragement and anxiety. Instead, I look at my situation and consider it a privilege to serve Jehovah. My relationship with him has never been stronger.

Yekaterina Treguba

Born: 1991 (Vladivostok, Primorye Territory)

Biography: Teaches English

Her grandmother read My Book of Bible Stories to her when she was a child. Began to study the Bible for herself when she was 15. Baptized in 2008

Personal Comments

What is one lesson you have learned through this experience?

One of the most challenging things for me was to maintain my joy despite the difficulties. I would read about brothers and sisters who were in detention or prison, and it seemed like the harder their circumstances, the more joyful they were. But I simply could not understand what I was supposed to be happy about. Meditating on the lyrics of Kingdom song number 111, entitled “Our Reasons for Joy,” really helped me. There is a line that says: “The joy in our hearts is well-founded,/ With roots reaching deep in God’s Word.” I started thinking about how I needed to feed myself better spiritually from God’s Word, the Bible, and pray more often for joy, which I am now doing.

We find great comfort in knowing that Jehovah continues to bless and care for his righteous servants, ‘surrounding them with his approval.’—Psalm 5:12.

Time Line

August 6, 2019

Yelena Barmakina criminally charged
June 8, 2020

Criminal case against Nina, Ludviga, and Yelena Tsorn initiated
June 17, 2020

Criminal trial against Yelena Barmakina began
July 9, 2020

Homes of Nina, Ludviga, Yelena Tsorn, and Yuriy searched. Yuriy taken for interrogation. Nina, Ludviga, and Yelena Tsorn placed under travel restrictions
September 4, 2020

Igor criminally charged
September 8, 2020

Yekaterina criminally charged
September 29, 2020

Case against Yelena Barmakina returned to prosecutor due to insufficient evidence of extremism
August 11, 2021

Yuriy criminally charged. Case against Yelena Barmakina is reinitiated, and all cases are combined into one
September 28, 2022

Criminal trial began

a b Personal comments were not available from Sisters Astvatsaturova and Katanaeva.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Witnesses in Vladivostok Sustained by Prayer and Positive Attitude

Profiles

Time Line

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