Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Matt Crawford. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Matt Crawford or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

George Zavershinskiy Interview Episode 553

1:00:10
 
Share
 

Manage episode 488455719 series 2177157
Content provided by Matt Crawford. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Matt Crawford or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Matt Crawford speaks with author George Zavershinskiy about his book, The Atomic Shepard. Amid Cold War tensions, a gifted nuclear physicist – poised to become the future father of new weapons – shockingly gains religious faith. Seeking to confess this revelation, he enters the priesthood, finding purpose but facing myriad trials. His startling 1970s conversion from secret Soviet weapon scientist to devout priest elicits incomprehension and suspicion on all sides. Colleagues shun him as studies now intermix seminary training with Siberia’s nuclear work. His transfer to a lowly role with barred access quashes the prestige of high-stakes research. Friends and family largely abandon the zealous convert, except for his steadfast wife and parents. Ostracized yet undaunted, Father Alexander persists in his ecclesiastical calling even unto Chernobyl’s radioactive inferno, ministering to desperate liquidators staring mortality in the face. There, on the fourth block, he was given a nickname – ‘Atomic Shepherd’. Upon returning to Moscow, few of them will reach old age. The ‘Atomic Shepherd’ is the last to leave among his spiritual friends – he still has time to complete his confession.

  continue reading

139 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 488455719 series 2177157
Content provided by Matt Crawford. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Matt Crawford or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Matt Crawford speaks with author George Zavershinskiy about his book, The Atomic Shepard. Amid Cold War tensions, a gifted nuclear physicist – poised to become the future father of new weapons – shockingly gains religious faith. Seeking to confess this revelation, he enters the priesthood, finding purpose but facing myriad trials. His startling 1970s conversion from secret Soviet weapon scientist to devout priest elicits incomprehension and suspicion on all sides. Colleagues shun him as studies now intermix seminary training with Siberia’s nuclear work. His transfer to a lowly role with barred access quashes the prestige of high-stakes research. Friends and family largely abandon the zealous convert, except for his steadfast wife and parents. Ostracized yet undaunted, Father Alexander persists in his ecclesiastical calling even unto Chernobyl’s radioactive inferno, ministering to desperate liquidators staring mortality in the face. There, on the fourth block, he was given a nickname – ‘Atomic Shepherd’. Upon returning to Moscow, few of them will reach old age. The ‘Atomic Shepherd’ is the last to leave among his spiritual friends – he still has time to complete his confession.

  continue reading

139 episodes

Semua episode

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play