In 1938, in a Russian prison, about 250 miserable men were herded together in one small cell. Among them was David Braun.

Soon David became aware of a Greek Orthodox priest in their midst. The old man had been thrown into prison because of his faith. His peaceful, radiant face made him stand out in that awful place like a candle in the dark. You couldn't miss him.

It was probably because of this that he became the target for the sarcastic and blasphemous remarks of two of the prisoners. They were continually harassing him. They bumped into him. The mistreated him. They mocked everything that was holy to him. But always the priest was gentle and patient.

One day David received a food parcel from his wife. When people are constantly hungry, receiving a food parcel is something that can't be described, —it has to be experienced. David opened the parcel. As he looked up, he saw the old priest looking at his bread with longing eyes.

David broke off a piece and gave it to him. To his amazement the priest took the bread, broke it, and gave it to his two tormentors.

"My friend," said David, "you are hungry. Why did you not eat the bread yourself?"

"Let me be, brother," he answered. "They need it more than I. Soon I will go home to my Lord. Don't be angry with me."

Soon after that he died. But never again in this cell did David hear mockery and blasphemy. The old priest, a true servant of the Lord, had fulfilled his commission.