Friday, Mar 29 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'In Buryar language Baikal is called Baigal-nuur'
0

Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world

By 0 and 0 and 0
09 May 2020

0

Agafya Lykova pictured aged 72. PIcture: Alexander Kuznetsov

Agafya celebrated her 76th birthday several weeks ago in April inside her tiny house surrounded by centuries-old trees deep in Siberian taiga. 

Members of the team of Kemerovo region’s governor who take care of Agafya along with the rangers from the Khakassky Nature Reserve believe that the world-famous recluse has no knowledge of the pandemic. 

‘We’ve just had a chat with her recently, I called to check upon her health. Agafya has a satellite phone for emergenies and for several times a year calls when we want to check that she doing well.

'She said she was feeling well. I didn’t tell her about the coronavirus, I didn’t want her to start getting worried’, said Alexander from Tashtagol city administration who have known Agafya for years.

The last time he saw her in person was in Autumn 2019, Alexander explained, but he knows that Khakassky nature reserve inspectors have already travelled by boat to visit her. 

Early spring and abnormally warm temperature allowed them to make the first river trip to the hermit’s house weeks earlier than usual.  

‘We all take extreme care when visiting Agafya, virus or no virus - she is like a Mowgli who has never came across modern day infections and diseases, we know how disciplined and cautious we must be in making sure she stays safe’, Alexander said. 

Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world
Agafya is the last survivor of a family of Orthodox Old Believers who in 1936 fled into the forest to escape religious persecution of Stalin's Russia. Pictures: Igor Nazarov, Nikolay Proletsky


Each time the Tashtagol city administration team travels with packs of goods for Agafya gathered by local businessmen -  the hermit favours buckwheat and rice - and little presents like knitted socks or pieces of fabric for new clothes posted by people from all around Russia.

There are dozens of volunteers who wish to travel to Khakassia, but currently Agafya is quite content with having her cousin Alexey Utkin living close to her. 

‘She is not an easy person to live with, and many people who wish to help her don’t understand her character. I know her well, she is a child of a nature, she needs somebody who would listen to her and obey her orders’, Alexander said. 

‘I am a Siberian man, but I would find it impossible to stay in her place for more than three days. It is extremely challenging physically and morally, yet she seems to be finding it the only life she wants to have. She is a Mowgli.’

Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world
Agafya, 76 is being looked after by the team of Kemerovo region's governor and rangers of the Khakassky Nature Reserve. Pictures: Vladimir Makuta


Agafya is the last survivor of a family of Orthodox Old Believers who in 1936 fled into the forest to escape religious persecution of Stalin's Russia.

They were discovered dozens of years later in 1978 after being spotted from the air by a group of geologists on a remote mountain side close to Erinat river in the Abakan range, south-western Siberia. When they were found, they had no idea World War Two had started - or ended. 

Agafya was the fourth child of Karp and Akulina Lykov, and for the first 35 years of her life she had no contact at all with anyone outside her family.

Her mother died in 1961, her father passed away in 1988.

For most of her life Afafya lived much as a peasant from the 18th century with hardly any modern comforts, guided by an ancient Bible.

Agafya Lykova pictured several years ago. Pictures: Tashtagol city administration/The Siberian Times

Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world


Russia’s loneliest woman doesn’t know there is virus pandemic in the world

Comments (26)

Agafia is a 'Hero of Faith'. Heb 11:38,39 of whom world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains...having obtained good testimony through faith,..Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Heb 12: 1,2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,....
Jeevaratnam, India
18/10/2021 23:05
0
0
This woman has such faith and inner strength. I'm rather sorry that I didn't stay in the country when I had the opportunity but its obvious that her life is difficult and requires more stamina than I would ever have..she really is an inspiration.
Jean, Usa
04/03/2021 09:47
0
0
Just want to thank everyone who’s taking care of her! She not only needs help but she deserves it! She is truly an inspiration to so many! It brings joy to me just imagining how grateful& happy she must be that people are looking out for her well being and that people genuinely care about her
Anju chandak, Hanumangarh
17/12/2020 08:01
6
0
Anytime I feel lonely,I think of Agatha and I know I am in good company. I want a relationship with Jesus like she has. I can just feel His special care for her. What a precious lamb of our loving Sheppard.
Kimberley Akin, United States
10/12/2020 12:00
3
1
I would not say she is "lonely" as the world perceives her or she would choose to live around others which she has chosen not too. Jesus said,
Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' Difference with Agafia from most believers is she actually LIVES her faith and her life is evidence of that. Her trust is simply in Gods word alone which has proven to be her strength and contentment. Even though I am not Russian she is truly a Russian treasure and Russia should be grateful to have an inspiration like her among them. We in the US honor her and thank you Russia for sharing.
Wanda Bradford, Fredericksburg
21/11/2020 21:10
5
0
I so enjoy reading and finding any news on this unique woman Agafya.please continue to visit her. Have this saintly woman pray for all of us.
Josephine Castellanos, Long Beach California
14/11/2020 09:59
2
0
Speechless....I cannot stop my tears! She is just an inspiration to be reckoned with!! For the whole of Humanity about her love to her creator and faith in reuniting with God! Thank you people for all your kindness towards her. May Allah blesses all of us with true path and being righteous all our life!
Shoaib Islam, Mumbai
11/11/2020 01:50
7
0
Just want to thank everyone who’s taking care of her! She not only needs help but she deserves it! She is truly an inspiration to so many! It brings joy to me just imagining how grateful& happy she must be that people are looking out for her well being and that people genuinely care about her
Trebor, Edmonton
31/10/2020 11:04
6
0
The world needs people like Agathya .The knowledge that she devotes the whole of her life to prayer is source of great support to us all.
Lesley Walton, Derbyshire , UK
13/10/2020 02:42
4
0
I continue to search current reports! Thanks for keeping us informed!
Martha King, San Marcos Texas
29/09/2020 09:31
7
0
Read her story she is a very inspiring woman glad that she has people looking after 5463
Elaine Grogan , Australia
18/09/2020 19:08
4
0
I have been following stories on her about 10 years now. I first learned about her watching a PBS program regarding her life. I was both fascinated and inspired by her way of life. I continue to "google" her about every other month to see on her status, or additional stories about her. I thank those involved around her for caring. Thank you. ~ Cathy
Cathy Wight, Nebraska/USA
29/08/2020 10:47
7
2
My Dear Lord ...I have followed Agafia now for a long time ! She has given me such joy and courage through Her way of living and her deep and True Love for Jesus and our Heavenly Father! AMAZING and Joyful She is , and a true disiple of Jesus! GOD BE WITH YOU AGAFIA and all of You out there ,who support and love Her! With Deep Love from Isra in Sweden
Eva Holma, Sverige Sweden
21/08/2020 21:04
7
1
I’m awed...amazed...at the temerity of this reclusive woman to survived in the wilderness. It was only a couple of days ago that I found her videos in YouTube....and it breaks my heart to see her alone in the taiga...my mind is a jumble of thoughts trying to figure out if I or any soul could ever be like her...I will always want to hear updates from her till the end. Thank you guys for taking care of her.
Jerome Bajao, Butuan City, Philippines
25/07/2020 20:55
9
0
Nem tudo neste mundo esta perdido, por isso parabenizo o The Siberian Times, as pessoas que ajudam a Sra. Agafya Lykova, pois o mundo precisa de ações como essa, de verdadeiros anjos, que Deus vos abençoe e os proteja. Transmitam abraços e orações de minha família à Sra. Agafya.
CARLOS ALBERTO DE MELO RIBEIRO, São Carlos-São Paulo-Brasil
14/07/2020 00:04
2
0
12

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


Features

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR99.71USD92.26GBP116.52Other...