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Reichert, Bruno

Profession
Clergy
Biography

Pastor Bruno Reichert, son of Pastor Paul Reichert, was born 9 April 1908 in the Volga German colony of Balzer. In 1932, he began theological studies at the Leningrad Bible College, but due to conflicts with Bishop Arthur Malmgren was unable to complete his studies toward graduation.

Bruno was ordained by his own father on 9 April 1933.

From 1933 until it was closed on 21 September 1935, he served as the pastor of St. Catherine's Lutheran Church in Neu-Saratovka. During this same time, and until 1937, he also served as the pastor to the congregation of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Izhora colony near the city of Kolpino.

Both Bruno and his father Paul were arrested by the NKVD on 17 November 1937 and accused of anti-Soviet behavior. They were interrogated, convicted on 26 December 1937, and sentenced to death. Both father and son were executed on 3 January 1938 and buried in the "Levashovskaya wasteland" (Levashovo Memorial Cemetery).

Source(s)

- Archive of the Office of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region (AUFSB St. Petersburg LO): D. P-13983. T. 1. L. 125–126; L. 116–125; T. 2. L. 111–113, 129; D. P-70715; D. P-13983. T. 2. L. 108, 114–115.
- Kahle, W. Geschichte der evangelisch-lutherischen Gemeinden in der Sowjetunion, 1917–1938 (Leiden, 1974): 135–137.
- Litzenberger, O.A. Gospel Czech-Lutheran Church and the Soviet State (1917–1938) (Moscow, 1999): 271-273.

Volga Colonies
Images

Biography of Pastor Bruno Reichert.
Source: wolgadeutsche.ru