Church of the Last Testament (Vissarion)
An enchanted Serbian community led by the second coming of Jesus
1991 - present
The Church of the Last Testament was founded in 1991 by Vissarion, the self-proclaimed reincarnation of Jesus Christ in the remote Siberian region of Russia, and has attracted tens of thousands of followers worldwide.
The Church's tenets emphasize living in harmony with nature, rejecting modern society, and following strict rules like abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and meat. Members of the sect have given up their possessions and moved to the isolated village of Petropavlovka, where they live in self-sufficient communities.
The Church of the Last Testament has attracted its share of criticism, though, with some calling it a dangerous cult. In 2020, the Russian government arrested Vissarion, accusing him of causing psychological harm to his followers. This arrest dealt a significant blow to the sect, which had already been facing increased government scrutiny. However, as Vissarion has remained imprisoned for years with no indictment brought against him or scheduled trial, many have questioned the Russian government's motivation for this attack, suspecting that it might be connected with an attempt to secure the valuable land the commune lives on and profit from the natural resources.
Despite Vissarion's arrest, the Church of the Last Testament continues to operate. While the group's followers remain fiercely loyal, Vissarion's arrest has brought the sect into the public eye, sparking debates about its future. Will Vissarion's arrest mark the beginning of the end for the Church of the Last Testament, or will it emerge stronger than ever? Only time will tell.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Syncretist
Founder: Vissarion (SergeI Torop)
Founded: 18 August 1991
Location: Petropavlovka, Siberia, Russia
Size: 50,000 (worldwide)
Also called: Community of United Faith
Abusive
Vissarion was formally accused of using "psychological violence" against his followers following his arrest (source)
Anti-Education
Children are forbidden from attending the local school (source)
Vissarion taught that "believers did not need much learning" (source)
Despite his teachings, Vissarion traveled to other countries for medical treatment (source)
Vissarion was charged with causing "serious harm" to the health of his followers (source)
Anti-Medicine
Communal
4,000 members live in the commune (source)
Dietary Restrictions
Doomsday
Vissarion made several End Times predictions (source)
Hate Group
Leader-Prophet
Vissarion claims to be the reincarnation of Christ (source)
Murder
Two Infants died of negligence in the summer of 2018 (source)
Renunciation of Private Property
Separation from World
Suicide
Unique Sexual Practices
Other tags:
UFO Cult
Short Vice documentary on Vissarion