Russian Authorities Arrest Messianic Cult Leader Who Believes He Is Jesus Christ

Topline

Russian authorities arrested cult leader Vissarion, who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, and two of his aides, on accusations of “causing grievous bodily harm to two or more persons” and using “psychological violence” to inflict “serious harm,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said Tuesday.

Key Facts

Key Background:

The Church of the Last Testament has claimed its secluded settlement in the Siberian forest is the world’s largest religious reservation. In addition to the 4,000 followers that live on the compound grounds, it has been reported that they have another 6,000 followers spread worldwide. In 2017, Vissarion told the BBC: “We have a school of noble maidens here. We’re preparing girls to become future wives, future brides for worthy men,” adding that women have “to understand not to rise above the man, not to be proud of her independence but to be shy, inconspicuous and weak.” Vissarion has six children with two wives, “having at one stage married a 19-year-old who had lived with him since the age of seven,” according to The Daily Mail.

Tangent:

Earlier this year, Vissarion’s deputy Vadim Redkin told The Moscow Times that the church’s membership applications tripled during the height of Russia’s coronavirus outbreak.

Surprising Fact: 

Vissarion abolished Christmas and replaced it with the anniversary of the date of his own first sermon (August 18).

Further Reading:

Sergei Torop: Russian religious sect leader arrested over allegations of harm (BBC) 

A Visit with the Vissarionites (The New Yorker) 

Russian Authorities Storm Siberian Commune, Arrest Messianic Cult Leader (Moscow Times) 

Cult leader who claims to be reincarnation of Jesus arrested in Russia (Guardian)