Rodion Ivanovich Gorokhov – “Mormon” Elder

This “rehabilitation” of Russian purge victims lists Rodion Ivanovich Gorokhov as a “Mormon” elder. Below is my English translation:

“Gorokhov Rodion Ivanovich. Born in 1887. Native and inhabitant of Yablonevyy Ovrag village in Samara Province. Russian, non-party member, presbyter [elder] of the Mormon sect. Arrested February 1, 1931; sentenced July 27 by the Middle Volga District PP OGPU tribunal according to Article 58-10 (counterrevolutionary propoganda or agitation) to a term of three years in a concentration camp. Rehabilitated by the Kuybyshevsk Oblast Procurator on November 15, 1989.”

2 thoughts on “Rodion Ivanovich Gorokhov – “Mormon” Elder

  1. is the name “Rodion Ivanovich” common in russian? i ask because i just finished a book by aleksandr nabokov titled “Invitation to a Beheading” – among fiction books, it ranks high among my favorites – and this was the name of one of the characters.

    have you read the book? i think the book provides a deep and stirring critique of one of the more fatal characteristics plaguing humanity: anxiety.

  2. Rodion is not very common in Russia these days (I only recall meeting one elderly man in my two years with the name Rodion). The patronym Ivanovich (son of Ivan) is very common since Ivan (John in English) is still a very popular first name for boys.

    I`ll take a look at Nabokov; I`ve heard a lot about his work Lolita. By the way, my copy of “I and Thou” is on it`s way in the mail. Reading Nabokov will give me something to put in the reading queue after Buber.

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