Jun 13, 2025
Matt Crawford speaks with author George Zavershinskiy about his
book, The Atomic Shepard. Amid Cold War tensions, a gifted nuclear
physicist – poised to become the future father of new weapons –
shockingly gains religious faith. Seeking to confess this
revelation, he enters the priesthood, finding purpose but facing
myriad trials.
His startling 1970s conversion from secret Soviet weapon scientist
to devout priest elicits incomprehension and suspicion on all
sides. Colleagues shun him as studies now intermix seminary
training with Siberia’s nuclear work. His transfer to a lowly role
with barred access quashes the prestige of high-stakes research.
Friends and family largely abandon the zealous convert, except for
his steadfast wife and parents.
Ostracized yet undaunted, Father Alexander persists in his
ecclesiastical calling even unto Chernobyl’s radioactive inferno,
ministering to desperate liquidators staring mortality in the face.
There, on the fourth block, he was given a nickname – ‘Atomic
Shepherd’. Upon returning to Moscow, few of them will reach old
age.
The ‘Atomic Shepherd’ is the last to leave among his spiritual
friends – he still has time to complete his confession.