Biography
In the Soviet years, Yelena Gadrshina led an active social life, dreaming of a happy society. Later, she learned the Bible's teaching that a better life is possible for people. In 1999, the woman followed her daughter on the Christian path, but 24 years later she faced criminal prosecution for her faith.
Yelena was born in May 1958 in the village of Bazarny Syzgan, Ulyanovsk Region. She has a younger sister. Their father worked as a locksmith in a factory, and their mother worked in a cinema.
In childhood and adolescence, Yelena was fond of skiing. After school, she graduated from the Zhiguli Radio Engineering College with a degree in Radio Equipment Technology, as well as accounting courses. All her life, until her retirement, she worked as an accountant.
In 1980, Yelena got married. She lived in Togliatti, Izhevsk, Pokrovsk (Yakutia), and later moved to the village of Vyselki (Krasnodar Territory). In warm climate, she especially enjoys gardening and growing flowers. Yelena's husband works as a driver, enjoys fishing and helps his wife in the garden. He does not share his wife's religious views, but the couple have a good relationship.
Yelena's relatives are surprised that she is being persecuted for her beliefs, and consider it absurd. They support the believer and hope that the criminal prosecution will stop.