Jesus of Siberia: Rise and fall

In the heart of Siberia's vast wilderness, a man who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ has built a following that spans decades and has recently garnered international attention. Sergei Anatolyevitch Torop, better known as Vissarion, has been a figure of both fascination and controversy. His story is a complex tapestry of spiritual awakening, communal living, and legal battles, all set against the backdrop of post-Soviet Russia.

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Early life and awakening

Born January 14, 1961, in Krasnodar, southern Russia, Torop's early life was typical for a young man in the Soviet Union. He served in the Red Army and later worked as a metalworker in Minusinsk, Siberia. In 1989, he lost his job as a traffic officer, a turning point that would set the stage for his future. Torop claimed that in 1990, at the age of 29, he experienced a profound spiritual revelation. He believed he was reborn as Vissarion, meaning 'he who gives new life,' and began to preach his message.

Church of the Last Testament

In 1991, Torop founded the Church of the Last Testament in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. The church, also known as the Community of Unified Faith, quickly gained followers who were drawn to his teachings of reincarnation, environmentalism, and a strict moral code. The community established itself in the Siberian Taiga, creating a self-sufficient settlement known as the Abode of Dawn or Sun City. Here, followers lived according to Torop's principles, which included vegetarianism, celibacy, and the rejection of material wealth.