Skip to main content

Siberian Seven Collection

 Collection — Container: Books
Identifier: SC-052

Scope and Contents

The Siberian Seven Collection dates primarily between 1978-1983, with some material dating to 1989. The collection documents the struggle of seven Pentecostals who sought refuge in the United States Embassy in Moscow in 1978.  The collection measures about 5 linear feet. The Siberian Seven's personal material consists of half the collection and consists mainly of their personal autobiographies and correspondence.  Their correspondence is chiefly with Kent Hill and his wife, with some correspondence consisting of appeals to the governments of the US and the USSR.  The photographs taken of the Siberian Seven are taken mainly in the American Embassy in Moscow.  Other photographs are of the Seven after their 1983 release in Israel.  Also included are maps, news clippings, articles, and expenses, all information pertaining to the Seven and their hopeful release. Kent Hill's personal material consists mainly of biographical information, his correspondence to Marianne Ridge of Christian Solidarity International, and correspondence to Paul and Annette Roush, who also spent time visiting with the Seven when Hill was working in the Embassy. Kent Hill wrote about the Siberian Seven in a number of publications concerning their stay in the Embassy that he submitted to Christianity Today and are a part of this collection. Remaining material is correspondence with support organizations who were working for the Siberian Seven's release.  Also included are photocopies of the manuscript, Siberian Seven by John Charles Pollock.

Dates

  • Created: 1978-2009
  • Other: Majority of material found in 1978-1983
  • Other: Date acquired: 1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no specific restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Duplication may be restricted if copying could cause damage to items.

Extent

11.00 boxes

4.5 linear feet other_unmapped

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged by series with folder level control.

Source of Acquisition

The Siberian Seven Collection was donated by Mr. Kent Hill and was received in the Spring of 1993.

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Other Descriptive Information

The collection documents the struggle of seven Pentecostals who sought refuge in the United States Embassy in Moscow in 1978 and spent five years awaiting an opportunity to emigrate. In 1978 seven Siberian Pentecostals crashed past Soviet guards and into the United States embassy seeking help in emigrating from the Soviet Union because of religious persecution.   Pyotr Vashchenko, Augustina, and their three daughters, Lidiya, Lyubov and Liliya along with fellow believers Mariya Chmykhalov and her son Timofei had traveled 2,000 miles by rail from the Siberian town of Cherno-gorsk.

Title
Siberian Seven Collection
Author
Buswell Library Special Collections Staff
Date
05/25/2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
501 College Ave.
Wheaton IL 60187-5593 USA
630-752-5910