More Russian cult members leave cave

          

Fourteen members of a doomsday cult who had been holed up in a cave in Russia for the last few months are reported to have come out.

On Saturday, seven members of the cult, who believe the world will end in May, came out of the cave.

Part of the cave is said to have collapsed, leading to fears for the life of the 14 remaining members.

In October, 28 cult members barricaded themselves in the cave 750km (450 miles) south-east of Moscow.

Russia Today report.

“Two rooms collapsed on Tuesday. As a result 14 people came to the surface, including two children,” deputy Penza region governor Oleg Melchenkno is quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

On Monday, a priest expert in the Book of Revelations, Fr Hermogen, was sent in to speak to cult members through a ventilation shaft.

On Saturday, seven women were allowed to leave with cult leader Pyotr Kuznetsov after he was brought to the scene to negotiate.

Up until now, cult members had strongly resisted attempts to force them out.

They threatened to detonate gas canisters if attempts were made to remove them.

Mr Kuznetsov, who calls himself Fr Pyotr, declared himself a prophet a number of years ago and has attracted followers in Russia and Belarus.

He is thought to have ordered his followers into the cave but did not join them.

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)
, BBC, Apr. 1, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7323895.stm

Religion News Blog posted this on Tuesday April 1, 2008.
Last updated if a date shows here:

   

More About This Subject

AFFILIATE LINKS

Our website includes affiliate links, which means we get a small commission -- at no additional cost to you -- for each qualifying purpose. For instance, as an Amazon Associate, Religion News Blog earns from qualifying purchases. That is one reason why we can provide this research service free of charge.

Speaking of which: One way in which you can support us — at no additional cost to you — is by shopping at Amazon.com.