He was accused of preaching ideas contrary to Communist doctrine. He was re-arrested in 1959 through the conspiracy of an associate, and sentenced to 25 years. Despite the treatments and the warnings, he received from his persecutors, Richard resumed his work with the “underground” churches after his release.
While in prison, he went through horrific tortures at the hands of the brutal secret police. Richard was released in 1956 after serving eight-and-a-half years in prison. Following her release in 1953, the Romanian authorities informed her that Richard had died in prison. She was forced to serve as a laborer on the Danube Canal project, leaving their nine-year-old son, Mihai, alone and homeless. He was tortured and locked in a solitary cell and labeled ‘Prisoner Number 1.’ In 1950, his wife Sabina was also imprisoned. On February 29, 1948, the secret police kidnapped Richard while on his way to church and took him to their headquarters. Richard also smuggled Gospels into Russia. Thus, Richard declared to the delegates, whose speeches were broadcast to the whole nation, that their duty is to glorify God and Christ alone.īetween 1945-1947, Richard distributed one million Gospels to Russian troops, often disguising the books as Communist propaganda. “I do not wish to have a coward as a husband,” she replied. Sabina said, “Richard, stand up and wash away this shame from the face of Christ.” Richard warned, “If I do so, you’ll lose your husband.” Many religious leaders came forward to praise Communism and to swear loyalty to the new regime. In 1945 Pastor Richard and his wife, Sabina, attended the Congress of Cults organized by the Romanian Communist government. The Story Behind “Tortured for Christ” First Arrest and Imprisonment (8.5 years)
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