A unique Christian community in Siberia is facing the biggest crisis in its nearly 30-year history after its founder, who considers himself the second coming of Jesus Christ, was arrested on September 22.
'Jesus' In Jail: Inside Vissarion's Russian Religious Cult
- By RFE/RL
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This is Petropavlovka, an isolated community in the Siberian taiga that is home to about 5,000 people.
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The religious settlement is located in Russia's Far Eastern Krasnoyarsk region, near the sites known as the City of the Sun (pictured here in foreground), and Abode of the Dawn (the mountain in background), where most of the community's religious ceremonies take place.
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The inhabitants of Petropavlovka are followers of Vissarion (pictured here in 2010), born as Sergei Torop in 1961. The former traffic policeman claims to have had a revelation that he was the second coming of Jesus Christ in the summer of 1990 and founded the Church of the Last Testament soon afterward.
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Followers of the religion, known as "Vissarionites," are shown in Petropavlovka in 2009.
No alcohol, smoking, or swearing is allowed in the settlement.
No alcohol, smoking, or swearing is allowed in the settlement.
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Gardens on the Abode of the Dawn, where Vissarion lives
Meat is also forbidden in the community, though milk and eggs are allowed. Vissarion's religion is based on Russian Orthodoxy but mixes in elements of Buddhism, collectivism, and environmental values.
Meat is also forbidden in the community, though milk and eggs are allowed. Vissarion's religion is based on Russian Orthodoxy but mixes in elements of Buddhism, collectivism, and environmental values.
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Vissarionites worship at a mass prayer in 2007.
Vissarion has written several volumes of what he calls the Last Testament, which includes spiritual guidance as well as instructions on the mundane details of daily life.
Vissarion has written several volumes of what he calls the Last Testament, which includes spiritual guidance as well as instructions on the mundane details of daily life.
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Violinist and Vissarion follower Dimitr Khemetov works in front of a portrait of Vissarion.
Most inhabitants of the settlement were brought up in the Soviet Union, where Christianity was repressed. Many early converts to Vissarion's cult had little understanding of religion.
Most inhabitants of the settlement were brought up in the Soviet Union, where Christianity was repressed. Many early converts to Vissarion's cult had little understanding of religion.
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A gateway to the sacred mountain where Vissarion lives near Petropavlovka
Vissarionites cross themselves when passing through this gate in a similar fashion to Orthodox Christians, but add a swooping circle at the end of the movement reportedly to symbolize the unity of all religions.
Vissarionites cross themselves when passing through this gate in a similar fashion to Orthodox Christians, but add a swooping circle at the end of the movement reportedly to symbolize the unity of all religions.
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A Vissarionite holds a cross with three circles on each tip.
In a 2012 documentary, one follower described seeing a triangular UFO in the sky above the religious settlement with "three spheres" in each corner.
In a 2012 documentary, one follower described seeing a triangular UFO in the sky above the religious settlement with "three spheres" in each corner.
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A follower of Vissarion at a mass prayer session in 2007
One woman who left the cult dismissed Vissarion as a "UFO enthusiast" and described the spiritual aspect of the settlement as "destructive."
One woman who left the cult dismissed Vissarion as a "UFO enthusiast" and described the spiritual aspect of the settlement as "destructive."
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Vissarion hugs a small girl while meeting with his followers in 2009.
Priests from Russia's Orthodox Church have also spoken out against the new religion, with one saying that "complete isolation from society is never ever good for people."
Priests from Russia's Orthodox Church have also spoken out against the new religion, with one saying that "complete isolation from society is never ever good for people."
![A man returning to Petropavlovka in a horse-drawn carriage. As well as liking the religious aspect of the community, some Vissarionites cite the appeal of the settlement's “clean air, clean nature, clean water, [and] clean Earth.”](https://gdb.rferl.org/81cfe89f-b8e7-423a-81c0-22cd9c2f7909_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A man returning to Petropavlovka in a horse-drawn carriage.
As well as liking the religious aspect of the community, some Vissarionites cite the appeal of the settlement's “clean air, clean nature, clean water, [and] clean Earth.”
As well as liking the religious aspect of the community, some Vissarionites cite the appeal of the settlement's “clean air, clean nature, clean water, [and] clean Earth.”
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Vissarion is transported by plane after being detained along with two senior members of his organization by Federal Security Service (FSB) agents on September 22.
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Vissarion in custody on September 22
Russian state media said Vissarion and his associates were detained on suspicion of "inflicting grievous bodily harm" and "creating a nonprofit organization that infringes on the rights of citizens."
Russian state media said Vissarion and his associates were detained on suspicion of "inflicting grievous bodily harm" and "creating a nonprofit organization that infringes on the rights of citizens."
