Siberian Seven Collection
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
- Hill, Kent Richmond. (Person)
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.
- Christian biography.
- Christians -- Soviet Union.
- Clippings.
- Correspondence.
- Freedom of religion.
- Hill, Kent Richmond -- Correspondence.
- Pentecostalism.
- Pentecostals -- Soviet Union -- Biography.
- Persecution -- Soviet Union.
- Photographs.
- Political refugees
- Political refugees -- Soviet Union -- Correspondence.
- Protestants -- Soviet Union.
- United States. Embassy (Soviet Union)
- Vashchenko, Lida.
Creator
- Hill, Kent Richmond. (Person)
- 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