“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Alexander Men was a Soviet Russian Orthodox priest, dissident, and theologian during the waning years of the Soviet Union. He became a leader with considerable influence and a good reputation among Christians both locally and abroad, among Roman Catholics and Protestants, as well as Orthodox. He served in a series of parishes near Moscow.
Starting in the early 1970s, Alexander became a popular figure in Russia's religious community, especially among the intelligentsia. The KGB harassed him for his active missionary and evangelistic efforts. In the late 1980s, he utilized the mass media to spread the message of Christ (he was offered to host a nationally televised program on religion); his days and nights were full of teaching and lecturing in packed lecture halls.
Alexander was one of the founders of the Russian Bible Society in 1990; that same year he founded the Open Orthodox University and "The World of the Bible" journal. On Christianity he said: “If you want to find something real in Christianity, then search for it only through the risen Christ . . . the Resurrection means victory.”
On Sunday morning, 9 September 1990, he was murdered while walking along the wooded path from his home in the Russian village of Semkhoz (near Moscow) to the local train platform.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.
“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison
God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
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