The Angel’s Assurance
The “what ifs” flooded his mind and left it spinning. He knew he had to think of something else. Then he remembered the angel who had visited him that morning. The angel had said, “Do not be afraid, I am with you!”
Suddenly, he realized the angel’s words had been for tonight! Although he could no longer see him, Private Ivan Vanya Moiseyev knew the angel was still there with him. He began to pray fervently.
Standing Firm in the Cold
It was twelve-thirty when he was distracted from his prayers by the crunching of snow. Bundled in their overcoats, hats, and boots, three officers were slowly making their way toward him. “Private Moiseyev, have you changed your mind yet? Are you ready to come in and get warm?”
“No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I can not. I will never agree to remain silent about God.”
Even in the dim light, Moiseyev could see the officers were amazed and confused. How could he stand such a cold?
“Do you plan to stand out here all night long?” “I don’t see how anything else is possible, and God is helping me.” Ivan checked his hands – they were cold, but not too cold. He could still move his toes easily. It was a miracle! He looked at the officers and could see that even in their coats, they were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks.
“You’ll feel differently in another hour,” the senior officer mumbled as they quickly turned away.
Prayer, Perseverance, and Miracles
Ivan continued to pray for all the believers he knew. He sang Christmas carols. He prayed for every officer he knew and knew of. He cried out to God on behalf of the men in his barracks. But gradually, his mind seemed to be floating somewhere outside of his head. As much as he tried, prayer eluded him.
Ivan was dozing on his feet when, at three o’clock, the senior officer on duty woke him and let him return to the barracks.
For the next twelve nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze, nor did he beg for mercy. Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers. He sang about the glory of Jesus Christ in his barracks, though this was strictly prohibited. To those who threatened him, he replied, “A lark threatened with death for singing would still continue to sing. She can not renounce her nature. Neither can we Christians.” Soldiers around him were converted, impressed by his ardent faith. His commanders continued to interrogate him, trying to get him to deny Jesus. They put him in refrigerated cells.
They clothed him in a special rubber suit, into which they pumped air until his chest was so compressed he scarcely could breathe.
At the age of 20, Ivan knew that the Communists would kill him. On July 11, 1972, he wrote to his parents, “You will not see me anymore.” He then described a vision of angels and heaven which God had sent to strengthen him for the last trial.
To be continued…
Date: 3rd June 2023
Martyr: IVAN MOISEYEV, 18 YEARS OLD
Location: U.S.S.R, 1979
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talks, Voice of Matyrs
Suffering Saturday 043
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