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Published Sep 21, 2020

The Lykov Family

Delve into the incredible tale of the Lykov family, who endured over 40 years of isolation in Siberia to escape Soviet persecution, showcasing exceptional resilience and resourcefulness while preserving their Old Believers faith in one of the world's most remote landscapes.
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  • Old Believers

    The Lykov family, led by patriarch , belonged to the Old Believers, a sect that split from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 17th century. This group faced severe persecution under the Soviet regime, prompting Karp to flee with his family into the Siberian wilderness in 1936 1. They settled in the southern Siberian Taiga, a remote area near Mongolia, where they lived in isolation for decades.

    The Lykov family went into the wilderness of Siberia and never returned. As far as the Soviet authorities were concerned, they just disappeared.

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    Their life in the taiga was marked by extreme hardship, as they had to rely on their resourcefulness to survive without modern tools or contact with other humans.

       

    Persecution

    The persecution faced by the Lykov family was a significant factor in their decision to live in solitude. witnessed the murder of his brother by Soviet forces, which solidified his resolve to protect his family's beliefs by escaping into the wilderness 1. This drastic move ensured their survival but also isolated them from the world.

    Rather than betray his beliefs, Karp took his wife, Aquilina and two children, Savin and Natalia, and headed for the hills.

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    The Lykovs' story highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to preserve their faith and way of life, even in the face of extreme adversity.

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