Summary

When Aksionov is alone in his prison cell, he realizes that only God knows the truth. He begins to regularly pray to God to ask for salvation form his predicament. Aksionov is sentenced to be beaten, and then he is sent to work in a forced labor camp for the rest of his life. The camp is in Siberia, and all of the workers are convicts. Over the following 26 years, he lives and works in the camp. He becomes solemn and loses all ability to feel joy, but he continues to pray every day. With the little money he earns, he purchases the book ‘The Lives of the Saints,’ and he attends church every Sunday and sings in the choir. The prison guards like Askynof, as he is docile and obedient, and the other prisoners respect Aksionov and believe him to be wise...