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As Russian troops are face increasing strain with the Ukrainian army seeks to retake the southern city of Kherson, stories of atrocities, persecution and God’s deliverance are emerging from the occupied territory.
Pastor Imprisoned and Interrogated
Those forced to live under Russian occupation, however, say liberation can’t come soon enough. After six months in occupied Kherson, Pastor Alexander escaped with his wife and 10 children in September.
“When the Russians took over, we weren’t sure what to do, but we decided to continue with our church services,” Pastor Alexander said.
Russian forces, on the lookout for so-called Nazis, searched his house several times. On Sept. 6, they arrested him in front of his wife and children.
“I was kept in solitary confinement for six days,” he said. “Then they put me in a cell where there were seven people, but only three beds.”
Preaching in Prison
Between interrogations, the pastor shared his faith with his cellmates.
“My wife had managed to slip me a small Bible. So with that, I started witnessing to the other men and myself we were there together for another 10 days. By the seventh day, they had all made Jesus Christ their Lord. That was when I finally realized why I was there.”
A Miracle of Deliverance
Then—after 15 days of captivity—a miracle happened.
“An Orthodox priest whom I had never met came to the commandant and asked him to release me. And he agreed on one condition—that he could keep my car. So, at the church there was still a minivan, and we put all my family into it, along with an injured neighbor, and headed toward the front lines.”
Escape from the Russians
However, their ordeal wasn’t over. It took four days and lots of prayer to get through all the checkpoints and friendly lines.
For the rest of this story, visit our content partners at faithwire.com. {eoa}
Reprinted with permission from CBN.com. Copyright © 2022 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.“
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