Witnesses in Vladivostok Sustained by Prayer and Positive Attitude.

 RUSSIA


Witnesses in Vladivostok Sustained by Prayer and Positive Attitude.

July 25, 2023


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


Nina Astvatsaturova a

Born: 1959 (Kuybyshev, Samara Region)


Biography: Worked as a mechanical engineer


Impressed by the Bible’s scientific accuracy and practical value. Baptized in 2003


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.


Ludviga Katanaeva 


Born: 1967 (Vladivostok, Primorye Territory)


Biography: Works as a housekeeper and nanny


Investigated many religions before finding satisfying answers in the Bible. Baptized in 2001


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.


Yelena Tsorn


Born: 1972 (Vladivostok, Primorye Territory)


Biography: Worked as an educator and administrator in a child development center


Received answers to her questions about suffering and death from a neighbor who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptized in 2011


Personal Comments


How are you able to maintain a positive outlook?


As I think back over the last few years, I am reminded that Jehovah has everything under control. He is always aware of what is happening. I often remind myself of Jehovah’s promise at Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you will have any success . . . This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah.” This allows me to keep my focus on the future and maintain my gratitude for the loving care I have received.


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


In the photos: 


Top row, left to right: Nina Astvatsaturova, Yelena Barmakina, and Ludviga Katanaeva

Bottom row, left to right: Igor Lonchakov, Yuriy Redozubov, Yekaterina Treguba, and Yelena Tsorn

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