Episode Overview

Podcast: Extreme Devotion
Host: The Voice of The Martyrs
Episode: Day 343: Extreme Quote
Date: December 9, 2025

This episode of Extreme Devotion shares a powerful reflection from Brother Shimonov, a Christian believer who was confined to a Russian psychiatric asylum for his faith. The episode centers on perseverance through suffering, the tension between anxiety and trust in God, and the maintenance of inner freedom despite external oppression.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Brother Shimonov’s Testimony

• Suffering and Faith:
  Brother Shimonov describes the immense psychological and emotional strain he experiences:

  "The craziness, anxieties about my family, the constant tension all destroy me." (00:06)
  This stark statement reveals the overwhelming pressures faced by those persecuted for their faith.

• Radical Acceptance:
  He shares how he chooses to accept his circumstances, entrusting himself wholly to God:

  "But if they drive me mad, or if I remain sane, I accept everything God sends. As a child accepts everything from the hand of his father." (00:13)
  The analogy of a child accepting from their father emphasizes childlike trust and surrender.

• Refusal to Succumb to Fear:
  Brother Shimonov actively rejects cowardice:

  "Cowardice is unreasonable." (00:20)
  His succinct assertion underlines the courage it takes to endure suffering without giving way to fear.

• Freedom and God’s Will:
  Even within the confines of an asylum, Shimonov meditates on the paradox of Divine will and human freedom:

  "In the asylum, I have often thought that the will of God keeps intact the freedom of man." (00:23)
  The reflection shows a profound understanding that true freedom persists even in the darkest circumstances.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The craziness, anxieties about my family, the constant tension all destroy me. But if they drive me mad, or if I remain sane, I accept everything God sends. As a child accepts everything from the hand of his father.”
  — Brother Shimonov, (00:06–00:17)

• “Cowardice is unreasonable.”
  — Brother Shimonov, (00:20)

• “In the asylum, I have often thought that the will of God keeps intact the freedom of man.”
  — Brother Shimonov, (00:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:06–00:17: Shimonov’s reflection on anxiety, acceptance, and faith
• 00:20: Declaration against cowardice
• 00:23: Meditation on God's will and human freedom

Episode Tone

The episode maintains a somber, reflective tone, with a sense of quiet resilience and deep spiritual insight. Despite the brevity of the episode, Brother Shimonov’s words echo with authenticity and devotion, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the heart of Christian perseverance under persecution.

Listener Takeaways

• Perseverance: Genuine faith often entails suffering and the conscious choice to trust God, no matter the adversity.
• Courage: Cowardice serves no purpose in the face of hardship driven by devotion and conviction.
• Freedom: Even in captivity or oppression, the will to trust and choose faith remains inviolable.

This episode is a testament to the strength of believers like Brother Shimonov, whose quiet devotion stands in stark contrast to the oppression surrounding them.