Biography
Studying the Bible helped Aleksandr Podolin from the Lipetsk region to get rid of bad habits. He quit smoking and abusing alcohol, started a family and became a truly happy person. However, law enforcement agencies considered his religion dangerous for the state and opened a criminal case against Aleksandr and 7 of his co-religionists.
Aleksandr was born in September 1970 in the Lipetsk region. He was the youngest of eight children in the family.
After graduating from the 8th grade of the school, Aleksandr left for Moscow. There he studied at the engine department of the Polytechnic and then worked as a mechanic on the railway.
Aleksandr’s grandmother was a believer, she read the Gospel every day. She often talked about God, and the young man wanted to get to know the Bible better, but in the hustle and bustle of life there was not enough time for this activity.
In his youth, according to Aleksandr, he wanted to take everything from life, so he went headlong into sports and entertainment, but this did not bring much joy. “On the contrary,” he says, “there were many problems, disappointments, and a sense of emptiness.”
When Aleksandr was 24 years old, he met Jehovah's Witnesses. They helped him find answers to his questions in the Bible. As he read and meditated on the Holy Scriptures, Aleksandr became more and more eager to get rid of bad habits and develop good qualities. It was not easy, but gradually, over the course of 13 years, he was able to achieve his goal. In 2009, he completely did away with the old way of life.
In 2014, Aleksandr married Svetlana. His parents lived a long life, and since 2000, as a loving son, he looked after them until their death. Many of Aleksandr’s relatives appreciated the positive changes that had taken place in him. Despite the fact that the authorities have accused him of extremism, his relatives continue to give him their support.