KANSK (RUSSIA) - Anna Petrovna and Valentin Grigorievich were born in 1938 in a small town called Verkhni Amonash in Kansk district of Krasnoyarsk region. During the hard years of Worl War II they both lived in an orphanage. After serving in the army Valentin came back to the native village, married Anna and they had three children. A usual family at first sight, but not as usual as it may seem.Anna Petrovna and Valentin Grigorievich is an amazing couple. For more than 50 years they keep warm and loving relationships. Our common friend, a nurse in this town, tells touching stories about their friendship and mutual respect. They even go to a grocery store holding each others’ hands. All fellow villagers admire the elderly couple, realizing how rare such loving relationships are. In addition, they are a great example for other married couples in the town!
In February of 2016, during the outreach we decided to visit them. Valentin Grigorievich was shoveling the snow. We greeted him and had a talk. He told us about an Orthodox church that was in a village before the Revolution. Then he invited us to the house. Anna Petrovna was glad to see us. She showed us an old icon in a glass cover, where she still keeps her wedding coronal. Next to it there was an icon lamp with a candle. At that place she sometimes prays, lights the candle, and reads the Gospel, though she doesn’t understand much of it and cannot pray the “right” way. Sometimes when she goes to town she goes to an Orthodox church, but the priest wouldn’t allow her to share the communion as she didn’t go to a confession. So, she believes the way she knows.
We shared the good news with her, using EVANGEL CUBE. The elderly couple was listening closely. Then we all prayed heartily. Valentin Grigorievich had a surgical cele, so we prayed for his healing. Then we presented them a Bible. And, as it usually happens when you visit hospitable hosts, after the prayer they wouldn’t let us leave without sharing a meal with them. They invited us to come again to explain them the Word of God. And we invited them to visit a home church in their small town at the local nurse’s home. Now the wonderful couple can be an example of not only a faithful marriage, but also an example of faith to other people!
Nikolai Baryshev
Team of the Risen Christ the Savior Church, Kansk, Krasnoyarsk region
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
