Tortured for His Faith

by Haralan Popov

Tortured for His An Epic of Christian Courage and Heroism in Our Day. Haralan Popov was the pastor of one of the largest churches in Bulgaria. The Communist government imprisoned him for 15 years.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Autobiography, History, Memoir

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

As a pastor in Bulgaria during the communist occupation, his very prominence as a devoted Christian leader brought Harlan Popov severe physical and spiritual torture at the hands of the Soviet KGB and their Bulgarian Quislings.

In Belene, the infamous communist concentration camps, Popov continued his work for God, despite the suffering he had to endure. After miraculously surviving more than 13 years of confinement and torture, he was finally released. Despite threats of rearrests, he continued organizing secret church services and Bible teachings because the official church had been infiltrated with Soviet spies and had fallen under total communist control.

When Popov was finally freed to join his family in the West, with the help of others he founded Door of Hope International (DOHI). DOHI does Bible printing and translation and brings support and Bibles to persecuted Christians around the world.

Today the name Dr. Harlan Popoff is deeply revered around the world. He has become a symbol of Christian courage to millions whose faith continues to be under attack by oppressive governments and religious extremists.

Reviews

[Erin Shaw-Rebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet this man and his family when I was a child. I didn't realize the impact of his story on me. Powerful story of faith and perseverance.

[grllopez ~ with freedom and books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lie is always a lie. Neither Marxists nor Leninists
will ever succeed in building an earthly paradise upon a lie.

Haralan Popov (1907-1988), a Bulgarian Christian pastor, was arrested in 1948 for "treason" (ie. being Christian) by the communist state government. [Recall: following WWII, Eastern Europe fell under the authority and influence of the Soviet Union.] In prison, Popov survived thirteen years of unimaginable hard labor, starvation, isolation, separation from loved ones, and barbaric mental and physical torture. He did not see his wife and children for at least eleven years.

This is a startling, shocking, and yet, inspiring story about perseverance through persecution; by God's grace, Haralan Popov lived to tell it.

COMMUNISM REQUIRES BRAINLESSNESS

So, why did the communist government arrest pastors? Because communism (like most tyrannical governments) cannot compete with religion, particularly Christianity, especially because Satan knows that God's Word demands that we use our mind to think about why we believe. Communism cannot afford for people to think. It requires absolute empty-headedness, that one would be ripe for brainwashing.

As Popov explained in the breaking of one's will and brainwashing, one meant imprisonment, the other freedom...
Let me point out again the difference between breaking our will and brainwashing us. My will was broken after six months of being beaten into helplessness, until my human body reached its very limits and physically crumbled. It was temporary.
Breaking the will led to imprisonment, starvation, and suffering.

Brainwashing is permanently convincing someone communism is good. They could break my will, but they could never brainwash me!

Successful brainwashing brought the false sense of freedom.

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNISM, IN POPOV'S WORDS:

Popov saw a sign posted on [the guard house] that read * Man is something to be proud of, a Maxim Gorki quote. Popov found this ironic considering they were treated like animals. He thought about how "God's Word teaches that man is the crown of creation," and that "nothing on the face of the earth is greater than man." And yet, how odd that commies who refuse to receive Christ and do not value human life would post such a quote for all to read.

He said,
This is the difference between communism in theory and communism in reality...four or five thousand men had been gathered inside the barbed wire enclosure. We were called enemies, because we hadn't surrendered and hadn't permitted the communists' ideals to triumph over our minds and hearts. Communism demands complete conformity and subservience. We had refused to conform and were the vilest enemy. According to the words* on the guard house, these men, at one time, had been something to be proud of. In reality the quotation is a good argument against communism. It hurt us that only we, the enemies of communism, could read them.
WHILE IN PRISON

Popov courageously rose to the occasion and continued preaching the gospel to his fellow prisoners, and with God's help, he did move mountains.
We have faced not men, but Satan himself. Though he has done his work well, I for one am more determined than ever that in the end God will triumph. Brethren remember, 'He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.' they have won the battle, but with God's help we will win the war.

I remind my readers, when man is without God there is no limit to his depravity or to the depths to which he will sink. These guards descended the ladder of humanity step by step until they had no humanity or kindness left.

Popov admitted that "men in prison are at the end of themselves." Their normal lives consist of a family and a job, as well as material things, "which can dull a man's need for God." In prison, "all this was taken away. Men had time to think. Their values became clear in prison and many genuinely realized their need of God." Hence, Popov found great demand for a prison pastor.

Once a Bible was found tucked away in the prison library. (How that escaped the noses of the commies, only God knows.) From it, Popov memorize 47 chapters before it was discovered and confiscated. Popov also taught Scripture while pretending to teach English to other prisoners. The guards did not know or understand English, and therefore were ignorant of these truth-sharing opportunities.

As more men wanted to hear the truth, they learned a kind of morse code and tapped it out on the prison walls to one another. This way the gospel spread and prisoners were saved. Popov praised God: "Thank you, Lord, for the new congregation you sent me."

HIS RELEASE!

Finally, after thirteen years of witnessing and experiencing savage horror, Popov was released from his prison sentence. He admitted this:
I could honestly and truthfully say that it was worth those 13 years of torture, beatings, starvation, suffering and separation from loved ones to be a pastor to the thousands of communist prisoners my path had crossed.
Outside of prison he prayed that "he could faithfully serve God in freedom as he tried to do in prison." Since he was prevented from traveling outside of Bulgaria, much time would pass before he would be reunited with his wife, who was living in Sweden, and his grown children.

Therefore, he made himself useful to God. His next mission was to help the local churches. He found that the commies took over the Churches and destroyed them. Uncooperative pastors were replaced with malleable types. Attendance had fallen from two and three hundred to under twenty.

HOW TO BEAT A COMMIE

As Winston learned in 1984, you cannot overcome the communists; the best you can do is break their rules. Therefore, the underground Secret Church was formed. People started to meet in homes for faux funerals and birthday parties. Lots of birthday parties. People had multiple birthdays all year long.
A beautiful thing began to happen in the Secret Church. As the fires of persecution grew, they burned away the chaff and stubble and left only the golden wheat. The suffering purified the Church and united the believers in a wonderful spirit of brotherly love such as must have existed in the Early Church. Petty differences were put aside. Brethren loved and cared for one another and carried one another's burdens. There were no "lukewarm" believers. It made no sense to be a halfhearted Christian when the price for faith was so great.
And to the Commies great regret, this was the healthiest thing they could have done for the church, for the insincere gave up but the true Christian became aware of what Christ meant to them...

But there was one more obstacle. Bibles were very difficult to find. People started handwriting their own Bibles from a lone Bible, which was a lengthy and arduous project. Popov realized that someone needed to get word out to the Church and "awaken fellow Christians living in the free world," to find a way to get Bibles to the persecuted Christians. Then by God's will, Popov was granted a passport, and on New Year's Eve 1962, he made his way Stockholm to reunite with his wife. He would be the one to carry the message to the free world.

Some years later, he founded a mission, Door of Hope International, to help persecuted and imprisoned Christians all over the world. And today that mission is still doing a good work all because of the love of Christ by one man, Haralan Popov, and his wife, Ruth.

* * *

[Megan Meisberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great testimony of a Christian pastor who was imprisoned in Communist Bulgaria. I especially loved hearing about how God's people treasured His word in those times. Many would copy it by hand so that they could have it. The author memorized 47 chapters of the NT. It was also sad to hear, once again, about the common tactics Communists use in oppressing people. They are very similar across all nations that Communism has spread its evil tentacles.

[Maddy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Haralan Povov's faith is incredible. He amazes me. He loved the Lord so much that he was willing to go through years of torture for Him.
I recommend that every single Christian read this.

[Sunny Petkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Много насърчаваща книга за всяка възраст. Книга, от която можем да почерпим както вдъхновение, така и кураж, за да можем да преминем през нашите изпитания.
ГОРЕЩО я препоръчвам на всеки!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the amazing story of Haralan Popov, a Bulgarian pastor who spent 13 years in Communist prisons for refusing to bow to the Communist Party and its evil aims. Before the Communist takeover of Bulgaria - a land called "Little Russia," Popov pastored the largest protestant church in the nation and was his country's foremost evangelist. As a result, this high regard garnered him especially brutal and inhumane treatment throughout his long imprisonment. Yet, despite his daily torment he felt God's presence as never before. While in the most vile, insufferable surroundings Haralan, "learned the lesson of love as never before. Though I had preached God's love from many pulpits, I came to see His love in a new way in the black of despair of subterranean cells and in the faces of countless fellow-prisoners. I found a greater reality in God than I had ever known before. The truth shines clearest where the cicumstances are darkest."

Even after Haralan Popov is finally released from prison after 13 long years, he continued his work for the Lord. He became a leader in the Secret Church in Bugaria which grew into existance when the "official church" fell under Communist control. He eventually made his way to freedom (and his family he had long been separated from) and continues to minister to the Suffering Church by awakening free Christians to their need for Bibles.

This was a very encouraging and convicting biography of a spiritual Giant of a man! Thank you Lord Jesus.

[Adam Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the story of Haralan Popov, a Bulgarian pastor who was arrested and imprisoned for 13 years and two months for preaching the Gospel. The book deals primarily with Dr. Popov's imprisonment and the tortures he endured there. It is incredible to see the kind of inhuman and deplorable treatment he endured at the hands of the Communist men who tortured him for his faith and attempted to turn him into an informer. Through it all, Dr. Popov maintained his relationship with God and used his time in prison as a way to share the Gospel with everyone he could.

I would highly recommend this book to any Christian. Dr. Popov's writing is very simple and matter-of-fact, but the book is incredibly captivating. My faith was strengthened, and I was challenges to see how Dr. Popov could stay faithful to God through everything he endured. It was also an eye-opening look at the kind of persecution that many believers in Christ still face today. It is so easy to forget that there are men, women, and children suffering horrible things for the name of Chrisf, when we in America and other free nations have it so easy in many ways. Tortured For His Faith challenged me to examine my role in helping brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering around the world, just like Haralan Popov intended it to.

[RANGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haralan Popov was a Bulgarian Evangelical Pastor who was imprisoned after the Communists seized power and initiated a long night of utter darkness and terror directed at the Christian Church. For those who are too young to remember Cold War history, Bulgaria was the bleakest, most uncompromising of the Socialist Paradises established by the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe after their defeat of Germany in WWII. Bulgaria sought to exceed even Soviet Russia in its persecution of Christianity. Like all socialist liars, the Bulgarian communists initially promised religious freedom and tolerance to church members who backed their political agenda. But once in power, they imprisoned and tortured pastors and church members in a gleeful (but ultimately futile) effort to eradicate Christianity. Popov spent thirteen years in the Bulgarian Communist gulag before being finally released and permitted to emigrate due to his wife's Swedish citizenship. In that time, the Bulgarian secret police attempted to recruit Popov to their side as a member of the official state church with a mission to spy on and report on the activities of all believers. But Popov held firm and his book, Tortured for His Faith, should be read by all Christians... especially those who are tempted to take their religious freedom for granted or to compromise their faith for expediency or gain... and most importantly, by the current generation of post-Cold War believers who may be tempted to imbibe the heady lies of "Democrat-Socialist" deceit. Communism is defined as the triumph of socialism. And for Communism to work, alternative ideologies, especially Christianity with its belief in a God of Salvation, Promises, Miracles and Provision, must be obliterated. But Popov's well-written memoir proves that a man or woman of faith can not only withstand the lies and tortures of Satanic Socialism, but ultimately triumph over them until they are utterly defeated. Tortured for His Faith is a well-written example of the persecuted believer testimonial that was once very popular in the West. While that type of memoir still survives today (with an emphasis on the struggles of Christian Believers under either Islamic persecution or Western secular-humanist oppression) few are as graphic and historically important as Popov's excellent book. And the Cold War classics of this genre are becoming harder to find. Mine is a mass market paperback, very handy (and once very inexpensive). But thankfully, it is still available as an e-book for Amazon Kindle. As such, I highly recommend it to all Christians or even non-believers with an interest in Cold War history and the state of the Eastern European Church in the mid-20th Century. This book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated Pastor Popov's faith and the story of his trials. Though it was rather disappointing that the beauty of his trials to advance God's unseen kingdom turned later as a seeming purpose to liberate the right to religious freedom of his people.

Of course there is everything right about liberation for this purpose. However if the liberation in this present age seemingly overshadowed the hope in God's coming kingdom, then God's will has been lost.

This "marketing message" was painted even more during the additions to the story from Pastor Popov's son at the last few pages. I was hoping for an encouraging closure that brought the heart and mind of the reader to God's immutable purpose. Instead I was given a message about how shorthanded the work of spreading the message is and how much more help is needed.

I do pray that the work of God continues to advance. And I pray for the encouragement of all believers, especially those in countries where the faith God has given them has separated them from their homes and families. However my faith in God's sovereignty tells me that work is always sustained exactly where it should be and I am encouraged by His provision.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting for me to read having been familiar with the subject of communism and specifically persecuted Christians in communist countries. True stories from Pastor Richard Wurmbrand and his wife Sabrina, my personal friends and their parents, the 1940’s/50’s serial I was a communist for the FBI (albeit dramatized and creative license taken), I noticed so so many parallels and dissimilarities between the stories that was both interesting and heart rendering to read. I found that i had grown a bit apathetic in hearing the same stories of communism and the cruelty it brings, reading the same story but through a different perspective and variations of common communist tactics reawakened me to it all.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Also to those who found Richard Wurmbrand’s story too graphic to read through id recommend this book especially
As it tells a very similar story with less gore although the gore is/was very real…

[Patricia L. Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've ever read!

I intended to just read the Preface but it got my full attention and I couldn't put it down. Haralan Popov had the strongest faith and courage, and LOVE for our God I've ever heard of, and God alone could get him through the tortures he endured on a regular basis, that took the lives of most men who encountered them. Everyone who needs their love for God revitalized, revived, I would recommend reading this book! God wrapped His arms around this man on more than one occasion, and loved him through his torture so that he was above it! This is a must read for every person of faith!
It wouldn't let me put the author's name, but it's Haralan Popov.

[Jasonwilkerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a powerful story of faith and the miraculous hand of God. The atrocities of the Bulgarian communists will shock the reader. The reader must struggle through stilted and sometimes incorrect English. I am not certain if the author is writing in his second language of English or it was poorly translated from Bulgarian, in either case it seems an editor/translator could improve the reading experience. The book suffers a bit from a seemingly endless series of epilogues. It is an easy read (maybe 3rd or 4th grade level) with a moving story.

[Blagoslava · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly hard to read for me, I couldn't finish it. But not because it's poorly written, nor because it was boring. It's so real and raw, that it's hard to handle... It changed me in a better way, although I wish the events in it would have never happened.

Беше ми изключително трудно да прочета тази книга, не успях да я завърша. Не защото е зле написана или скучна. Но е толкова истинска и сурова, че не можах да я понеса... Тази книга ме промени в добра насока, но ми се иска събитията в нея никога да не са се случвали.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate having my heart pricked for the suffering church. I recommend this book to any Christian seeking to open their hearts up to those chained for Jesus' Sake. I have found that it will encourage you to pray for the persecuted and to give to those without bibles.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
- Psalms 119:105 KJV

"Prayer alone is not enough. Prayer must be followed by action." - Haralan Povov

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story of suffering for Christ in communist Bulgaria that makes me grateful for freedom to worship Jesus as well as easy access to God’s Word. I’m galvanized to help oppressed Christian brothers and sisters all over the world. I fear that persecution is coming for the American body of Christ. I pray that God will give me the strength to glorify Him.

[Sal Ly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t imagine the torture and persecution Popov went through and endured during those times, and God had been with him throughout, infusing strength into him during 13 years of suffering. I’m glad to get to know about him from My Daily Bread, and decide to get a copy to read from Kindle.

[Otis Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing faith

An outstanding story of faith and perseverance, something that is missing for the most part in the modern church. Some of the stories seem almost unbelievable, like standing for 10 days straight against a wall, no food or water, no sleep, but it must be true.

[Robin Kettering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells the truth

Some people have really suffered in prison for their faith or being falsely accused for other things. This shows what being held and doing hard labor is like.

[Guillaume Bailly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story carrying a beautiful message of hope, determination, and care for other human beings.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man's story ranks very high on the chart of human suffering. Very challenging

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put my suffering “in its place” and made my commitment 100% stronger. Pure influence and a remarkable testimony !!!!!

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super inspirational! It was a great testimony and good for any Christians looking to strengthen their faith.

[John 3:16 | · Rating 5 out of 5]

11/10!
VERY good book!
Read it! :)

[Dru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but disturbing.

[Natalie Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and gut wrenching account of this incredible missionary’s fight for the gospel. Unimaginable torture is recounted, not for the faint hearted! Glory to God.

[Jackie Heffelmire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first edition when I was ten year old

I wanted to read it again ,this edition was not the same, I did enjoy it and am just as convinced 49 years later all my trials and tribulations were self inflicted and asking God why me is no longer in my Prayers or my vocabulary.
God Bless You and Yours

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reinforces sufficiency of God under extreme persecution. Nothing separates from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Makes one consider though, if I would be faithful under this type of pressure.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A christian classic.

A pastor in Bulgaria during the Communist regime, Haralan Popov recounts the testing of his faith during 13 years of persecution in Communist prisons.

In the early morning hours of July 23, 1948, he was arrested on false charges of espionage against the state. After being brainwashed and tortured for eight months in prison, Popov, and other ministers who had been arrested with him pleaded guilty under duress. Popov was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He spent the next 13 years and two months tortured in prisons and concentration camps. He was released on September 25, 1961 and joined his family in Sweden a year later. The Bulgarian government has since apologized for the wrongful sentence.

After moving to the U.S. in 1970, Popov founded Evangelism to Communist Lands Inc., now known as Door of Hope International, to bring Bibles and relief to people in oppressive countries.

In October 1988, during Glasnost, and for the first time in 26 years, Haralan Popov, now 81, was permitted by Bulgarian authorities to visit the church he pastored in Bulgaria. He died the next month in Glendale, California, of complications related to cancer.

-------
Some Christians believe we will be out of here before things get bad...I won't argue with anyone if it is going to be pre, post or mid trib. when it happens. My question has always been why will be be exempt from suffering? What about Christians like Popov who suffered so much or the Egyptian and other Christians that are being killed for their faith?

[Jason Mccool · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tortured For His Faith" was written by Haralan Popov in 1970 and recounts his ordeal at the hands of the Communists in Bulgaria after WWII. He starts by telling of his childhood and young adulthood as a staunch atheist, his coming to Christianity, his rise to be a church leader of the Protestant church there, and his midnight arrest by the Secret Police, mock trial, and subsequent 13 years and 2 months in various prisons around Bulgaria. It's purpose is, as he says, not to show man's depravity, but to show the depths of God's love in the midst of man's depravity. However, the Communists there, as they have done everywhere they've gone, did a pretty good job of showcasing man's depravity. Sleep deprivation, interrogations 24/7 with a rotating shift of interrogators, the "death diet", hard labor, - these were his life for over 13 years.
At 146 pages, with chapters of only a few pages each, it is a quick read with two important lessons. First, man's depraved mind knows no bounds. And those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. We've seen similar stories like this played out in Russia, China, and other Communist "paradises" around the world over the last 95 years. Secondly, As low as man can go, God's love overcomes. That "Comrade Popov" could not only endure years of torture, but come out of it with no bitterness or hatred toward his captors, is a testament to what God's love can accomplish.

[Rachel Ogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tortured for His Faith is a very inspiring and compelling book. It's about a pastor who is arrested for his faith, tortured, and sent to Communist prison camps around Bulgaria. His predicament doesn't stop him from sharing the gospel with everyone he can in every prison he is in. I would highly recommend it to those who desire their faith to be challenged. It has encouraged me to pray for fellow believers who are oppressed to this day in current communist countries and other countries around the world. It has also made me more thankful in just about every aspect of life. I find myself thanking God for areas of my life that I used to take for granted. However, some of the content discussed in this book is not suitable for readers of all ages. It discusses people being tortured and beaten terribly.