Why Was M. G. Rudometkin Imprisoned? By Michael P Lediaev

[seeking_truth_1 0]

Why was M.G. Rudometkin Imprisoned??

By Michael P. LediaevThe Christian Molokan Besednyik, Spring 1992, Vol. 5, No.1.Pages 10-14.

There are several misconceptions that currently exist about M. G.Rudometkin.One of these misconceptions has to do with the reason for his arrest.In order to better understand this, we have to consider the state of the Russian sectarians of that time. Basically, they were looking for the end of the world. This was brought about by a prediction made by an English Methodist, Young Stilling (John Henry), in a book Pobednay Povest (Translated from German into Russian in 1815). In this book, Stilling predicted that the Apocalyptic events of the Book of Revelation would be fulfilled in 1836. Even though these events did not come to pass as predicted, itdid not discourage the Russian sectarians from believing that the end of the world was imminent, with the coming Millennium to be set up at the base of Mt. Ararat. These expectations were also kept alive by false prophets proclaiming the end of the world and the imminent beginning of the millennial kingdom. According to the Book of Revelation (11:3-12), two witnesses would appear before the start of the Millennium. As it was believed by some that the two witnesses would be the reincarnations of Enoch and Elijah, such a belief gave rise to many false Enochs and Elijahs.

One of these false prophets was Lukian Petrovich Sokolov, whoaround1830, appeared with two tribulation witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, and more than once predicted that the end of the world was imminent(1).This is the same L.P. Sokolov whose writings we find in the book, Spirit and Life (pp 65-75). Present day Maximisti believe that his writings are sacred, and regard him as a great martyr and a preceptor of the faith.

Rudometkin also lived at this time and place, where the Russian sectarians expected the second coming of Christ and the end of the world to occur at any hour. It was in such an atmosphere that Rudometkin began to prophesy and set dates for the end of the world and the beginning of the thousand year Millennium. Rudometkin first prophesied that the Millennium would start in 1857. When the Millennium did not materialize, Rudometkin again prophesied that it would come in 1860(2). That year came and went, but again the kingdom was nowhere in sight.

This kingdom was to be a time when Rudometkin would be a ruler for a thousand years. Rudometkin writes of himself, saying, "The King of Kings and Lord of Lords ... would set me (Rudometkin), your anointed,in Christ's stead as your king upon the earth for, a thousand years and also enthrone all my people (followers)"(S&L, book11:16:1-15).In other words, Rudometkin and his followers were to be the principal rulers for a thousand years. In, 1860, it turned out that instead of beginning his Millennium rulership as predicted, Rudometkin, began his sentence in Solvetski Monastery.

This is where a major misunderstanding exists between Rudometkin and his present day followers. What Rudometkin really meant, believed, and prophesied was that he was to be a king and ruler in a Millennium that was to have been manifested at that time and place in 1857-1860 (nineteenth century), not in some distant future, as present-day Maximisti have come to believe.

When the time came for the fulfillment of Rudometkin's first predicted start of the Millennium in 1857, the event was awaited with a great expectation.Rudometkin, expecting it to materialize at any moment, prepared him self for the event by crowning himself as a king on October 19, 1857, before a large gathering in the village of Nikitino, where he lived(3).King Rudometkin was ready. His only problem was that heaven was not cooperating.Rudometkin gives, us his own account of that crowning, writing, "You do remember when it was before a large gathering with out-stretched prophetic hands and signs (banners) over my head that proclaimed me (Rudometkin)as a king of all the Universe"(S&L, book 4:4:2). To further show that Rudometkin was indeed a king, he wore two red letters, the letter "Ц"(tse) on the right shoulder and "�""(deh) on the left shoulder, which represented: "King of Spirits"(Цар �"ухов: Tsar Duhov).

During this time, Rudometkin's followers believed him whole heartily and awaited for the Millennial kingdom to start at any moment. This was to be a great time, when all of Rudometkin's followers were to become Lords,and the ungodly were to be their servants(4).

Rudometkin selected the village of Nikitino, were he lived, as the actual place for the Millennial kingdom to be established. The village of Nikitino was also in close proximity to Mt. Ararat. It was where "chosen people from everywhere will gather .... at the foot of holy mountain called Ugvagir"(S&L,book 10:30:24-25). Ugvagir is a name for a location, either in another language or in a code. In another passage, Rudometkin identifies Ugvagiras the village of Nikitino(S&L, book 13:1:4-5).

The strong dream of a Millennium persisted even after Rudometkin's imprisonment.As a king without a kingdom he, "prayed every day for God to exal thim ... and to be enthroned as a ruler among the princes....and to give him a throne of glory in Israel"(S&L, book14:16:1-14).

Even though Rudometkin's initial predictions were not fulfilled,he was not discouraged from making further predictions. It seems that he was so determined to be a kingdom ruler, that he continued to predict that the Millennium will occur in the nineteenth century(S&L,book6:14:1-12). The nineteenth century has been gone for over 90 years now,and yet none of these- events have come to pass. So much for those predictions. As a prophet, Rudometkin was a failure, to say the least. These revelations,according to Rudometkin's own writing, were inspired by a "New Spirit"(S&L,book 10:5:4).

Before his arrest, Rudometkin preached long and eloquent at their church meetings. He taught them that it was not necessary to respect authority or to be concerned with normal daily activities. "The time has now come",he said, "to live like birds and refrain from work"(5).Because of such preaching, apathy set in towards work and household management,resulting in his followers being reduced to the poorest state of existence(6).The local authorities became greatly concerned not only for the plight of Rudometkin's followers, but also for the general population of the area.

Further adding to the plight of his followers, Rudometkin preached that they should have two young spiritual wives in order to be accepted into the Millennium(7). Authorities discovered that some of Rudometkin's followers practiced polygamy, which resulted in the breakdown of the family lifestyle(8).

According to N. Dingilshted, Rudometkin chased his own wife out of his house and lived with two young women named Varvara and Stepanida, who were his Spiritual,wives. They were also known as queens(7).According to N. Dingilshted their full names were Stepanida Kartashovaand Varvara Manuseva(9). It was probably for that reason that we do not find Rudometkin mentioning his wife in his writings(S&L, 1928 Russian Ed). However, we do find Rudometkin sending greetings to his beloved queens, "Though absent, I kiss you upon the lips with the most warmest kiss of sweetest love"(S&L, book 4:11:27).Rudometkin's Queen Stenya and Queen Varya are mentioned in the book Spirit and Life by name. As if they were the (tribulation) prophets of Revelation(Rev.11.3), Rudometkin asked his followers to believe and obey them, so as to avoid the hardship of the three and one-half year tribulation(S&L,p. 694, 1928, Russian Ed).

The requirement of two young spiritual wives no doubt contributed to the growth of Rudometkin's followers and to the rise ofhis popularity. After his arrest, Rudometkin wrote to his followers (of that day), and made an even more dramatic and unbeatable revelation by writing, "Virgins from all nations will be given to us" (to Rudometkin and his followers) "As gifts forever ... to repopulate the destroyed races"(ethnic groups)(S&L, book 7:13:6). I very much doubt anybody could beat that offer. This was to become the "Paradise of paradises, the village of saints"(S&L, book 13:1:5). I wonder if it is not a vision of such gifts that keeps today's Maximisti so dedicated to Rudometkin.According to Rudometkin, the woman's occupation in this paradise will be to enjoy the blissfulness of "child bearing"(S&L, book3:11:16).

Due to Rudometkin's so called new revelations before his arrest,the"Pryguni" lifestyle evolved to such an extreme that the governor was concerned that they would influence the other indigenous groups of that area. To stop this potential threat, Rudometkin was arrested.His arrest was not for any religious activity or for his true innerfaith,but rather for promoting polygamy. Government documents revealed that the local authorities acknowledged that Rudometkin was a very clever man who took advantage of the ignorance and weakness of his followers. As for himself,Rudometkin saw his imprisonment as a persecution, and the reason for his persecution he described as, "Persecute me for knowing and revealing the start of my new peaceful millennial kingdom upon this earth"(S&L,book 14:20:10). In other words, he believed that he was arrested because of his revelations and prophecies.

The event that ultimately led to Rudometkin's arrest was that ten months after crowning himself as king on Oct. 19, 1857, he desired to further affirm himself as the Millennial king, as a new "Moses" of today(S&L,book 9:19-1). Rudometkin desired to erect a large pole, decorated with banners, in the courtyard of his home. This pole was to be in like manner to the brass sign that Moses erected in the wilderness. As the Jewish people received healing and comfort from the brass sign in the wilderness(Numbers21-8-9), Rudometkin's followers were to receive the same(10).Stitched on these banners were writings regarding the start of Rudometkin's millennial kingdom. Rudometkin planned to erect this pole on August 25,1858. August 25th was approximately the time when the festivals such as Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles were celebrated (Leviticus23:23-36). Since the Feast of Tabernacles (Kushcha) symbolized a future Millennium, this festive seasonal atmosphere was to serve Rudometkin as an added opportunity in his quest towards a further affirmation of himself as a millennial ruler.

The scheduled erection of his pole was postponed when Rudometkin learned that Grand Duke Mihail and Grand Duke Nikolai would soon be traveling nearby.Rudometkin then decided to reveal the royal authority of his kingly greatness to the local authorities by erecting the pole along the route to be traveled by the Dukes. The local authorities discovered Rudometkin's plans and confiscated the large pole on the evening before the arrival of the royal Dukes(10).Not to be defeated, Rudometkin and his followers hastily prepared a smaller pole with banners and erected it on the route of the noble travelers(11).According to some verbal accounts that I heard from some elders,Rudometkin was asked by some of the elders of his day not to erect his pole.Nevertheless,he went ahead and erected his pole. By such a provoking act, he showedhimself to be challenger to their authority. This provocation, in part,led to the arrest of the newly crowned, King Rudometkin.

During Rudometkin's imprisonment, he believed a day would sooncomewhen he would be released and allowed to return to hisfollowers(S&L,book 10:24:2). Once again, he would raise up the same banners asbefore.During his imprisonment, Rudometkin's drawings and descriptions of thepole and banners(S&L, p 261, Russian 1928 Ed) fit the descriptionandmeaning given by N. Dingilshted(10).Rudometkinwrote that this banner will be erected in the New City of Jerusalem(villageof Nikitino) "in the courtyard of the Anointed King of Spirits"(Rudometkin'splace of residence). Furthermore, he wrote, "My salvation shall beestablishedlike this pillar (see pillar drawing) ... Then shall be healing to mychosenones"(S&L, book 3:25:1-9). And he also wrote, "First of all, I(Rudometkin)will dress myself in scarlet garments with a title gloriouslyembroideredon my clothing. Then I myself will put a crown of gold upon my head ...equally all my followers will be dressed in white garments"(S&L,book6:17:12-13).

What troubled Rudometkin was that soon after his arrest, hisfollowersabandoned Rudometkin as their king and chose for themselves anotherking.First, they chose a forty year old man from the village of Elenovka,namedIvli Minnikov. Minnikov reigned for just three days before dying. Hewasburied with a ribbon across his shoulder and blue paper stars on hischest.The next king was Gavreil Valov, from the village of Konstantino. Hebecameunpopular for trying to institute a collection of one-tenth ofeveryone'sincome. After a short reign of only six months, his followers abandonedhim(12). There were also other kings thatreignedbesides Minnikov and Valov.

Rudometkin's replacement by these other kings caused him to angergreatly.In letters to his former followers, he tried to convince them that hewastheir one and only principal leader. He strongly chastised his trustedprophets, Emilian and Fitis, for allowing someone else to reign in hisstead. In his own words he wrote, "I see the incarnate devil, in myabsenceshas begun to reign"(S&L, book 13:9:1-4). At one time, LukianPetrovichSokolov (also known as Borisov(S&L, p 64) was also a successor kingto Rudometkin. In one of the letters to his followers, Rudometkinstronglydenounced Sokolov (Borisov) as a "False King.... and a hater of a truespirit"(S&L, p 631).

It was out of his concern of being replaced by these other kingsthatRudometkin wrote so many letters, trying hard to convince them that hetruly was their king. Rudometkin wrote that he was going to put uphisbanners and crown himself as king once more, with offerings ofyoungmaidens as incentive to prospective followers. These things worked forhim in the past, before. his imprisonment, and once again he wantedto do it all over again when he returned from prison. However, itdoesappear that his former followers did lose interest in Rudometkin astheirking, for which Rudometkin wrote from prison, "You have quicklyforgottenme"(S&L, book 13:1:2).

Today's Maximisti misinterpreted and misunderstood Rudometkin.Today,they believe that he would return from heaven and do these things atsomeLine in the future. On the contrary, what Rudometkin really meant wasthatas soon as he would return from prison, he would reinstatehimselfto his former position as king in the village of Nikitino, in hislifetime,and before his death(S&L, book 10:24:2). Rudometkin did notlivelong enough to see his desire and ambition fulfilled, for he died inthe Suzdal Monastery prison on the 13th of May, 1877, of an apoplecticstroke,and was buried in an unmarked grave outside the monastery walls(13).

In conclusion, the authorities decided to arrest Rudometkin forthefollowing reasons:

1. Rudometkin was leading his followers into deception (error offaith).
2. Rudometkin showed no respect for authorities.
3. Rudometkin preached and allowed polygamy, and polygamy wasagainst thelaw. Husbands were leaving their wives for young spiritual wives, whilethe old wives and children had to face hardships, with no means ofsupport.
4. Rudometkin's prophecies regarding the imminent end of the worldcreatedapathy in his followers towards their livelihood and reduced them to avery sad site of existence.
5. The authorities feared that neighboring ethnic groups wouldalso followinto this polygamy practice and create further disintegration offamilies.

On October 25, 1858, a petition was prepared to transport Rudometkin toSolovetsky Monastery for confinement. That petition was granted twomonthslater on December 25th(8). Rudometkin'simprisonmentwas decided in Tiflis, in his absence(S&L, book 3:2:8-9). AlthoughRudometkin claimed in his writings that he knew about future events inheaven and on earth, and the times that these events will befulfilled(S&L,book 11:5:6), and though he claimed to "always personally talk to God",yet he did not know how long his prison sentence was to be. For this,heasked his followers to find out for him(S&L, book 3:2:8-9).

After Rudometkin's arrest, the government surveyed the Prygunivillagesin 1866 and found, for the most part, that they had stopped waiting forthe end of the world and that their lives had returned to a normalstateof tranquility(14).

According to the teachings of the Bible, when a prophecy does notcometo pass, that prophet should be rejected: "That same prophet shall die... You need not be afraid of him"(Deut. 18:20-22) . The Bible alsospeaksabout "Other Gods". Rudometkin claimed himself to be a God when hewrote,"That is why 1, Maxim, called with his new name 'King of Spirits' and'God'to the believers of the world"(S&L, book 9:15:7). Now according tothe Bible, if any prophet leads us to another God, he should not belistenedto: "Thou shalt surely kill him... Lord your God proveth you" (testingyou)(Deut. 13:1-11).

Now I would like to ask all of our brotherhood, how well did wepasssuch a test? Instead of rejecting Rudometkin as a false prophet and afalseGod as the Bible commands us to do, he has been turned into thegreatesthero who ever lived, the greatest prophet who ever walked this planet,a "new messiah", and a "great martyr". There is no such thing asbeinga "martyr", for one who is a "false messiah", or "false prophet" or"falseGod" or for one who has "introduced extra-marital activity".Whetherknowingly or through ignorance, Maximisti have been promotingRudometkinwith misinformation, while the real truth about Rudometkin was not toldto our brotherhood.

What happened to us? What happened to our rationale? We haveloweredourselves to the point where some of these Bible teachings are totallyignored. We have instead gone to just opposite of its teachings. Godgaveguidelines for our benefit, to guard us against such a person asRudometkin,but we have lowered ourselves totally, ignoring these Bible teachings.By such action, we opened ourselves up to certain dangers and manyproblems.

We need to take responsibility and to act accordingly. Theresponsibilitylies with each individual. In church, every time, you participate inanythinghaving to do with Rudometkin and his writings, such as reading from it,calling words from it (skazvit), singing from it, helping tosingfrom it, or singing songs from the song book that are written about Rudometkin,you are helping to perpetuate the falseness of Rudometkin. In otherwords,you are fertilizing and watering Rudometkin's and the Maximistilsheresy.That is how misinformation has been wrongfully instilled into the mindsand hearts of our brotherhood. By not participating in such activity,youwill be helping to correct this wrong. Rudometkin misled people in his day and unbelievably, with the help of his current day followers, he isstill misleading people from his grave. That is not what our original forefathers wanted. It was Rudometkin and his followers who have created problemsandintroduced confusion with their "new revelations" by Rudometkin's socalled"new spirit".

Do not look for somebody great to stand up to this wrong, butratherlook to your own consciences and ask yourself what you are doing? Whatare you supporting and promoting? You personally do make a difference.This is not one person's task, but it is everybody's responsibility.Manyreferences have been given in the article. Please examine them yourselfand study this matter carefully and seriously. Do not follow anyoneblindly,but think for yourself. Facts have been brought before you to help youmake an intelligent and informed decision. Make a conscious,responsible,and accountable decision and act accordingly. Brothers and sisters, wecan put M. G. Rudometkin behind us, but it is really up to you. It isinyour hands.

ReferenceBibliography

1. Melnikov P.I. Na Gorakh, Book II (Reprint 1956), P 318.
2. Dingilshted N., Zakavkazkie Sectanti, 1885, pp 15, 66.
3. Otechestvannai Zapiski, No 11, 1878, p 35.
4. Dingilshted, p. 15.
5. Dingilshted, p. 62.
6. Otechestvannai Zapiski, No 10, 1878, p 401.
7. Dingilshted, p. 66.
8. Otechestvannai Zapiski, No 11, 1878, p 38-40.
9. Dingilshted, p. 61.
10. Otechestvannai Zapiski, No 11, 1878, pp 35-38.
11. Dingilshted, pp. 70-71.
12. Dingilshted, pp. 77-78, 147, 244.
13. Prugavin, A.C., Monasttirkiya Turmi, 1905, pp 17, 57.
14. Dingilshted, pp. 86-88.

[Guest Joe]

Mike Lediav I havnt seen you in years. Never seen you in church or any other gatherings. But hear you are blasting my faith with this false article from the enchilada church. Nice, maybe show your face once and a while may be then what you say might heard (probably Not).

[seeking_truth_1 0]

OMG!

or

for the rudometkinite/"new israel" member OM-R (udometkin)

 

I have a copy of the Dingilshted book and other documents written well over 120 years ago regarding mgr

 

Please, do SOME research and not stick your head in the sand

 

You can try and blame the "enchilada church" but what about Dingilshted?

 

He wasn't a member, he was a historian

 

Why would he have a "bias"?

[Guest mystikal]

He wasn't a member, he was a historian

 

Why would he have a "bias"?

he must be a soldier for the devil. along with lediaev

[seeking_truth_1 0]

Did you do ANY research?

OR

Did you make a blanket pejorative statement against Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

You'll need to do SOME research to find out what pejorative means

 

Nice try to sooth your ruffled feathers by demonizing Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

Wouldn't that be bashing?

 

Nice "double standard" standard you have for yourself

[seeking_truth_1 0]

To the top (bump)

[Guest huh?]

To the top (bump)

[EGK 0]

To the top (bump)

I have a question if anyone else can answer it . Were their any others along with MGR arrested at the same time as he was. Has anyone else noticed the use of angels in thge works of the writing of the DYZ.

 

EGK

Angels of the DYZ of course,..... but God's Angels no. His messengers would not be involved. To imply they are is unforgivable.

Steadfast;

 

I thought that since Seeking had a copy of Dingellstedts book, if he or anyone else knew if any others were incarcerated at the same time as they arrested MGR. The thought about angels comes from reading EGK's book and noticing that their is the use of angels delivering messages to him much in the same way as Joseph Smith received his purported messages from the Angel Moroni. There are admonishments in the bible against this but also instances where God uses Angels to send his message to man.

Thanks

EGK

[Guest Guest steadfast]

I thought that since Seeking had a copy of Dingellstedts book, if he or anyone else knew if any others were incarcerated at the same time as they arrested MGR. The thought about angels comes from reading EGK's book and noticing that their is the use of angels delivering messages to him much in the same way as Joseph Smith received his purported messages from the Angel Moroni. There are admonishments in the bible against this but also instances where God uses Angels to send his message to man.

Messages.... Are you talking about God's plan for all of mankind, or about God's personal plan for the individual. Two different plans with two methods of delivery. The new method for personal delivery began after Jesus' death and ressurection, Heb. 1.1.

[Guest the truth]

MGR was betrayed by people like Michael P Lediaev (postayanie/constant) that did not except MGR as they do right now. They told to authorities that "MGR claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Russian king at that time)

 

As Jesus was betrayed by his beloved nation(Israel) "He claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Pilate)

 

Did you do ANY research?

OR

Did you make a blanket pejorative statement against Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

You'll need to do SOME research to find out what pejorative means

 

Nice try to sooth your ruffled feathers by demonizing Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

Wouldn't that be bashing?

 

Nice "double standard" standard you have for yourself

 

[seeking_truth_1 0]

You equate Jesus with mgr?

 

MGR was betrayed by people like Michael P Lediaev (postayanie/constant) that did not except MGR as they do right now. They told to authorities that "MGR claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Russian king at that time)

 

As Jesus was betrayed by his beloved nation(Israel) "He claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Pilate)

 

Did you do ANY research?

OR

Did you make a blanket pejorative statement against Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

You'll need to do SOME research to find out what pejorative means

 

Nice try to sooth your ruffled feathers by demonizing Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

Wouldn't that be bashing?

 

Nice "double standard" standard you have for yourself

 

[wall 0]

Pilate was as much a king as MGR. I believe its Caesar you're thinking of.

 

 

 

 

 

MGR was betrayed by people like Michael P Lediaev (postayanie/constant) that did not except MGR as they do right now. They told to authorities that "MGR claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Russian king at that time)

 

As Jesus was betrayed by his beloved nation(Israel) "He claims himself as the King yet we already have a king(Pilate)

 

Did you do ANY research?

OR

Did you make a blanket pejorative statement against Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

You'll need to do SOME research to find out what pejorative means

 

Nice try to sooth your ruffled feathers by demonizing Lediaev, Dingilshted and the other authors

 

Wouldn't that be bashing?

 

Nice "double standard" standard you have for yourself