Myrna Grant

NOT an easy book to read, the harsh brutality Vanya suffered for his faith is all in here in this well-written biography of a modern day martyr. While I know we live in a world where it's apparently acceptable to mistreat others for their faith, whatever it may be, that doesn't make mistreatment right. Some people think that Christian martyrdom ended in the Roman Colosseum, but it didn't; in fact, it didn't even end when the Iron Curtain came down. I don't have any respect whatsoever for a show more person who is wiling to kill for his faith, but I do have compassion and respect for a person who is willing to die for his. Vanya's story is a tragic one, and a harsh one, but at the same time, it's a reality check sorely needed by most of us in the Western Church who aren't willing to die to the flesh, much less in it--not for ourselves or for anyone else. Vanya's life was an exemplary one, and he lived and died for something. How many of the rest of us can that be honestly said about? show less

I first read this book: Myrna Grant's biography of Ivan Moiseyev when I was 20, (in 1978) at uni. The story of Vanya's short life (he died - martyred for his fath - also aged 20) probably made the most profound impression on me, of any book I ever read in my life (and many many books have left their mark on me!) - I've re-read it many times, and am currently going through it again for the umpteenth time. It steered the course of my life in many ways - in that now - my closest friends and the show more deepest relationships in my life, are with Ukrainians, Russians and Belarussians. My next of kin, is my Ukrainian godson, now 28 (who now lives with me with his younger brother as the war in Ukraine still rages in 2024).

I think also Vanya's biography deeply exhorted me, in a good way when I was young - That the Christian life as Jesus desires for us - and which He paid for us to have with His own life - is, (and can be), robust! - gloriousl and overcoming! - If we will take Him seriously in full surrender. If we will die daily in the finished work of His cross, that we may live daily in His wonderful, glorious ressurrection power.

Myrna Grant has exhibited a real skill in putting together all her researched material on Vanya's life from various sources, into a beautiful, very readable story, where you can almost put yourself into the situation as you read. I think she does this by the detail she includes, which is often so evokative.

I greatly look forward to meeting Vanya one day in Heaven when my own life is seen to be done here on earth show less

I read this as a teenager and loved it. I tried re-reading it as an adult and couldn't even finish it. I did not think it was very good. So that's why I gave this book 3 stars.

This is a true story of Ivan (Vanya) Moiseyev, a soldier in the Soviet Red Army who was ruthlessly persecuted and incarcerated for his faith. He never denied his Savior, and he never hesitated to share the gospel with anyone who would listen. In addition to the documentary evidence on Vanya's death, she examined transcripts of court trials and many other documents on the Russian treatment of Christians. Out of this careful study and the author's sensitivity to human nature came the story show more that fills these pages. show less