“Persecution Will Not Deprive Me of Happiness”

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On July 29, 2025, the Birobidzhanskiy District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region convicted Brothers Anatoliy Artamonov and Aleksandr Krushevskiy and gave them each a suspended prison sentence of five years. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

Profiles

Anatoliy Artamonov

Born: 1952 (Kuldur, Jewish Autonomous Region)

Baptized: 1995

Background: Works as an electrician. Married Lyudmila in 1994. They have a son and a daughter. Their daughter, Sister Larisa Artamonova, and her son, Brother Yevgeniy Yegorov, were both tried and convicted for their faith

Charged with: Organizing religious meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Sentence: Five-year suspended prison sentence

Personal Comments

What Bible verse has impacted your life during this difficult time?

The words at 1 Peter 4:14 have especially comforted me: “If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you.” I am deeply grateful for the constant strength Jehovah provides through his holy spirit. He answers my prayers for peace of mind, and he ensures that I have what I need to endure. I know that he will never abandon me. With his love and support, persecution will not deprive me of happiness.

Whatever challenges we may face, we are comforted to know that Jehovah will never abandon those who remain faithful to him.—Joshua 1:5.

Jehovah’s Witnesses