Let’s review. Alexei Navalny, the leader of Russia’s main opposition party, has been in and out of prison for a dozen or so years. It’s deemed treasonous in Russia to question Putin. On a short stretch of freedom, two years ago, he was poisoned, the main cause of death for those who oppose Putin. Unfortunately for Putin, it was a botched job, and the dose was not immediately fatal. Alexei was whisked away to western Europe where he recovered. He was accompanied by his wife, Yulia, a powerhouse on her own.
Upon recovery, what did he do? Did he stay in the west where he was safer, but still able to influence his beloved country? No. He chose to return. He and Yulia, knowing that he would eventually be killed, decided that she would remain behind, in relative safety, able to continue to be the voice of Russian freedom.
Alexei was arrested immediately and was never freed. He ‘mysteriously’ died just a few days ago in Russia’s most remote and harsh prison. The body was just yesterday shown to his mother.
How courageous are both Alexei and Yulia.
How few of us would knowingly give our lives to any cause. He believed in his fellow Russians to such an extent that he felt that even if he was killed, when he was killed, his death would galvanize and enable others into action against Putin. Was he right? We’ll see.
What does history show us? There certainly are many examples of people rising up after someone has been martyred. The memory of Joan of Arc is a good example, as she soon became the rallying cry that led to victory. Sadly though, we have many more examples of martyrs being only remembered, being put on pedestals of one kind or another, or even worshipped. It’s much easier to remember or to worship than it is to follow, especially when it might lead to death.
Look at Jesus of Nazareth. We turned him into a God, where all we have to do is believe. In communion, we ‘do this in remembrance’ of him. We feel so good about it, as if we’re making anything better by eating a bit of processed wafer. But actually following him? If Christians were serious about Jesus, they would be getting into ‘holy’ trouble, just as he did. It’s much easier to put pictures of Jesus up on walls and have crosses in our jewelry. Or go to church. Things to make us remember. But not do.
What will happen in Russia? What will probably be remembered most is that Putin won again. What good is a dead hero? The people will decide. It’s possible that Putin made a grave error, for Yulia won’t allow any to forget. Now her life is on the line. Will Putin have the arrogance and nerve to kill her? We’ll all be watching, but that hasn’t affected him yet. The world still allows Russia to be on the Security Council in the United Nations, even though Putin has invaded a peaceful neighbour.
This is truly a classical example of remembering/belief/knowing vs. doing. Which would you pick? Which do you pick? It’s great to be on the side-lines and observe, isn’t it. And deny or ignore the many ways in our own lives that we do the same, just in ways that are not so obvious. Navalny’s life will be remembered. It counted. How will ours be remembered, I wonder?
Anthony, often wishing my questioning would just stop, so I could watch more Netflix.
