Vissarion

Vissarion is the spiritual name adopted by Sergei Anatolyevitch Torop (born January 14, 1961), a Russian religious leader and founder of the Church of the Last Testament. He claims to be the returned Jesus Christ.

The Church of the Last Testament, based in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, combines elements of Russian Orthodoxy, Buddhism, apocalypticism, and collectivist utopianism. Vissarion's teachings center on ecological harmony, communal living, and spiritual purification in anticipation of an impending global catastrophe. He emphasizes vegetarianism, reincarnation, and a rejection of materialism.

Followers of Vissarion, known as Vissarionites, established a network of villages centered around the "Sun City," also called Abode of Dawn, in the Siberian wilderness. They sought to create a self-sufficient and spiritually focused community.

Vissarion gained a significant following both in Russia and internationally, attracting individuals disillusioned with mainstream society and seeking alternative spiritual paths. His movement has faced scrutiny and criticism, including accusations of cult-like practices and financial exploitation. In September 2020, Vissarion and several close associates were arrested by Russian authorities on charges including extortion and abuse of power. The future of the Church of the Last Testament remains uncertain.