Biography
Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea repeatedly faced persecution on religious grounds. In March 2023, Yuriy Gerashchenko, a peaceful citizen from the picturesque peninsula, happened to be among the victims of repression.
Yuriy was born in 1979 in the city of Lutsk (Ukraine). His mother raised him on her own. When he was 4, they moved to Crimea. There, Yuriy's mother, a primary school teacher, was offered a job and an apartment.
As a child, Yuriy liked football, hockey and gymnastics. He also did clay modeling, photography and macrame and he was a talented chess player.
After school, Yuriy trained as a controller of radio-electronic equipment and instruments. He worked as a programmer (TV debugger), loader and furniture maker. From 2012 until his arrest, he worked as an electrician.
Learning about God from the Bible comforted Yuriy, as he realized that he had a Father and a Defender — God himself. Studying this ancient book, its historical and scientific background, as well as its prophecies, Yuriy became convinced of its authenticity and decided to apply Bible knowledge in his life. In 2000, the young man decided to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
In 2002, Yuriy married Irina. The couple share the same religious views. They enjoy the nature of Crimea and love discovering new places on the peninsula. As a tradition, every year they would spend a few days in the Crimean mountains with friends.
The criminal prosecution and the search in September 2022 greatly affected the lives of the couple, bringing about many difficulties. But despite this, the couple maintain a positive outlook on what is happening.
Friends, neighbors and colleagues do not understand why they are prosecuting Yuriy, because they know him as a decent, kind and peace-loving person. They support Irina and worry about Yuriy.