Consecrated: One Man's Faith and Courage through Persecution and Peace, the Holocaust, and Freedom

Not only was his life in jeopardy due to religious
persecution, when he witnessed persecution against the
Jews and spoke up on their behalf, things became worse
for him. Political unrest was the cause of suffering for
many people and the enemy of the work he was called to
do for the Lord. Unfortunately, persecution, in its many
forms, remains alive today.
We should look very closely at what is occurring
because as this story reveals, history has a way of
repeating itself. It is a reminder to be thankful when we
have freedom and peace, something so many do not have
yet are willing to die for. We must teach these lessons to
our children.

This is a story of man‘s inhumanity to man as
revealed by the Holocaust, as well as the impact of
―loving our neighbor as ourselves.‖ This is a story about
the choices we make and the courage to make the right
choices. This is a story about miracles.

Finally, this is a story about the impact we leave on
those we come in contact with and the legacy we leave to
the next generation. The results of Konstantin
Jaroshevich‘s work are still evident throughout Poland
and parts of Europe.
Konstantin Jaroshevich leaves a legacy of
unshakeable faith and love for all humanity.
I pray this story of my grandfather‘s life will leave
you encouraged and blessed.


CONSECRATED

Dedicated For a sacred purpose. To induct a person into a
permanent office with religious rite. Ordained to the
office of Bishop. Made or declared sacred. Devoted
irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony.
–Webster‘s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

BOOK EXCERPT:

A C h i l d I s B o r n

The late 1800‘s was a time of extreme poverty and
persecution in Eastern Europe. Late one night,
surrounded by the darkness and uncertain future, Polusia
Jaroshevich, with her husband Michael by her side,
began to travail as she brought forth a new life. On
September 25, 1891, in Bielsk County, Poland, Russia,
she gave birth to a son, whom they named Konstantin.
At the time, that part of Poland was under Russian
occupancy, causing their joy to be mixed with fear. The
brief exposure to Christianity they had experienced
through the Restoration Movement was now forbidden.
The state church tried to hold people in ignorance while
doctrinal differences among various churches throughout
Europe were causing division among believers. However,
Michael secretly kept his cherished Bible from those
earlier days, often referring to it for peace, strength and
hope.

Three days after the birth of his son, Michael placed
the baby in the arms of his dying mother, who pleaded
with him to give young Konstantin back to God. The
New Testament Bible was placed on the head of the
newborn child as his father Consecrated him to the
Lord.

As a young boy, Konstantin worked on his father‘s
farm and attended public school, graduating at the age of
fifteen. His interest in the Orthodox and Catholic
churches set him on a journey to find the truth. He
studied what minimal, often conflicting, information he
was able to find.

Because there was no religious freedom in Poland,
public discussion of scripture carried severe
consequences. Certainly, possession of the Bible could
result in expulsion to Siberia. Konstantin knew, however,
that ―the truth would set him free‖ and thus continued his
search for understanding.