True Orthodox History: Miracle of Survival in Bitter Communist Prison Blizzard | CWJS040 CWP087

A gripping tale of survival and faith unfolds in a frozen communist camp, where a group of prisoners faces despair during a relentless winter storm. Through communal prayers and an unexpected miracle, they come together to find hope amidst the icy darkness.

• Desperate prayers echoing in a freezing world 
• The realities of hunger and suffering in captivity 
• Father Philadelph’s plea for divine intervention 
• A sudden miraculous delivery of warm bread 
• Unity and gratitude amid suffering and strife 
• Reflecting on faith's role in overcoming despair

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Transcript

Speaker 1 0:05

Alexi.

Speaker 2 0:15

Let us in. Let us in, dear God, let us in Alexi.

Speaker 3 0:22

Have mercy on us. It's no use, alexi. I said it is no use asking for mercy from these soldiers, our own captors, they'll just as soon shoot you as feed.

Speaker 1 0:36

you have mercy on us. Welcome to Cloud of Witnesses. Journey with the Saints. This is voice acted lives of the saints. What an icy Christmas it'll be this year. Who's got the vodka? I'm freezing. I told you who's got vodka. Look at the other boxes of vodka. Quiet, quiet, quiet. I said be quiet. Comrades, out of my way. Who is knocking on the door?

Speaker 2 1:59

Sir, have mercy on us. This storm, this storm is so severe, even the birds. The birds are freezing in the air. Mercy, mercy, mercy.

Speaker 1 2:19

You were brought here to be worked to death. If this is your fate, then pray to God to spare you. Hey Ivan shut the door or we'll freeze to death too. Now, where were we comrades have?

Speaker 2 2:47

mercy on us.

Speaker 3 2:52

Come, alexei, get on your feet. We must rush back to our hut if we want even a chance to survive this unending storm. And so the blizzard stormed on. For several days, a devastating storm had covered this isolated communist camp in the seemingly endless flurry of icy death.

Speaker 1 3:23

Temperatures had dropped to 40 below, transportation had ceased and deliveries to this seemingly godforsaken place came to a halt. Many grew weak and died during this time. Food, food father Food.

Speaker 3 3:43

I need food. Don't worry, Alexei, We'll make it With God's help.

Speaker 2 4:01

Господи помилуй. This storm is terrifying.

Speaker 3 4:07

It feels angry.

Speaker 2 4:09

Lord, how could anyone survive these conditions?

Speaker 3 4:14

They say the storm will be at its absolute worst the next few days.

Speaker 2 4:18

Dear Jesus, please watch over all our imprisoned faithful, especially at this time. O Most Holy Lady and Mother of God, hear our prayers. Through the prayers of the blessed saints, hear us.

Speaker 1 4:54

I can't shut the door. Oh God, the ice is keeping it open.

Speaker 3 5:02

Come, let us at least use these rags and stuff them in these broken windows. Father, I can't keep going.

Speaker 1 5:13

I think I must sleep, lexi. No, we must keep moving.

Speaker 3 5:17

Sleep is the herald of death, but I'm so hungry.

Speaker 2 5:24

I Just a little nap is all I need.

Speaker 1 5:32

Lexi Up, get up, come on.

Speaker 2 5:42

Why.

Speaker 1 5:45

Why Lord? Why like?

Speaker 3 5:49

this. As the freezing cold enveloped them, Father Philadelph was brought to the brink of despair.

Speaker 1 5:59

Summoning the last of his strength, Father Philadelph led out one last prayer.

Speaker 3 6:07

Lord, help us. Holy saints, Look at our suffering and help. Holy Father, nicholas, I am dying. You are the speedy helper in times of need. Come Help us. Who, who is there? Ah, what, who, who is there?

Speaker 2 6:58

What? What is this Footsteps?

Speaker 3 7:04

in our hut. What is this? What is this? What is this? Some sack. And what did father Philadelph find find? A large sack full of steaming hot loaves of bread. My God, my God, alexis, bread Bread, fresh hot loaves of bread. Eat, eat my child. Eat and be strengthened.

Speaker 2 7:45

Oh, thank you Lord, thank you, thank you Thank you.

Speaker 3 7:59

Thank you, Father Nicholas.

Speaker 1 8:03

By the grace of God and the miracle of St Nicholas Father.

Speaker 3 8:12

Philadelph brought these loaves to other prisoners. They lived off this bread for an entire week and survived the storm.

Speaker 1 8:19

It is said that Father Philadelph wept while recounting the story of his life in exile to others.

Speaker 3 8:27

This story of how St Nicholas saved prisoners from an icy death.

Speaker 2 8:33

Holy Father, nicholas, pray to God for us, thank you.