“On October 12, 1963, I landed in New
York after spending 23 years in the
Soviet Union and most of that time
in prison or the slave labor camps of
Siberia. I recounted the story of my
trials in the first book, WITH GOD IN
RUSSIA, and the truths that had
guided and sustained me. But I had
not done it adequately or properly
within the limitations of those pages. I
knew then that I must someday write
this book. I can only hope that what I
have written will strike a responsive
chord in some, and will prove helpful
to others, however few. And I pray
that you will be one of them.”
35
“The Red Army is here! They have
taken the town! The Soviets are here!”
The news spread like panic through the
small village. The parishioners crowded
into the mission to ask for my advice,
direction and consolation. What could
I tell them except to pray and trust God.
We knew it was coming. We expected
it but, suddenly, our whole world
had changed. Arrests soon followed,
property was confiscated and there were
countless interrogations, threats and
intimidations as the Communists
considered everyone to be a threat to
the NEW ORDER. Propaganda was
mounted against the Church and
priests. Workers would lose their jobs
if they insisted on attending Holy
Mass. We were confined to activity
strictly limited to inside the Church.
Soon we offered Mass for only a few
old people. The youth were taught
to spy on their families at home and
report any infractions of the order.
Terror and fear were the favorite
weapons of the secret police.
Oh, how we rely upon the status quo
that carries us from day to day! How
very much we take for granted! God’s
precious gifts are not appreciated.
Somehow, then, God must find a way
to break through our routines and
remind us once again that we are
dependent solely upon Him and He
has made us to reign with Him for all
eternity. The things of this world, and
the world itself, are not our lasting
city. God is always present and ever
faithful. It is we who fail to see Him or
to look for Him, in times of ease and
comfort.
I soon found myself at Lubianka with
only a white-washed little room, a bed,
a barred and covered window, and a
locked door with that eternal prying
peep-hole. For 5 years, I was isolated
in these quarters. Interrogation sessions
took place which lasted from a few
hours, or went on for two days nonstop
while the prisoners got no rest, no
sleep and no food at all. The human