In the fifth grade, we were assigned an essay with the topic "Who is Your Hero?" During class, our teacher suggested reading our answers aloud and explaining our choices. One student named characters from cartoons, another chose their father, and a third picked their brother. Then came the turn of a new girl in our class, Katya. She stood up and boldly declared, "My hero is Jesus Christ."

A silence fell over the classroom. Everyone turned to see who had uttered those words out loud. Even the boys in the front row, who had been loudly discussing their own topics throughout the lesson, fell silent and turned to look. An awkward pause turned into collective laughter and varied reactions. Some pointed at Katya, while others sneered, saying, "Who is she, anyway? Haha, do you really believe in God?"

In that moment, the girl who spoke these words out loud was treated as if she had mentioned something forbidden or unpleasant.

Despite living in post-Soviet times at the beginning of the 2000s, the discussion of God among my peers was considered unfashionable and overly naive in our secular, non-religious school.

At that moment, I didn't stand up for Katya. I was ashamed to admit that there were believers in my family, that I attended church with my parents, and that I, in my own way, also believed in God. I pretended to align with my classmates, fearing that they would ridicule me too. Over time, I forgot about this incident.

It wasn't until I was 23 years old that I first opened and started reading the Gospels. When I reached the 10th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, my gaze lingered on the following words:

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Reading these words sent shivers down my spine, and a lump formed in my throat. I recalled the incident when I pretended not to know God and didn't say a word in defense of Katya in front of the class. I felt ashamed. I imagined the Lord not recognizing me when we meet, or worse, disowning me despite all the books I had read and the hours spent in church.

I felt like a true hypocrite, a person with weak faith who, out of fear, could renounce their beliefs.

You know, if I could write an essay on the topic "Who is my hero?" now, I would choose Katya. A ten-year-old who, in front of the whole class, confessed her belief in God, spoke openly about Him, and reflected aloud despite the laughter and incomprehension of others.

Katya's act became, for me, a mature example of genuine faith that stood the test.

Now, whenever I encounter similar situations, and someone laughs loudly at my choice of Christ, I remember my classmate Katya, her determination, and her faith. It helps me not to be afraid, not to be offended, to believe, and to confess God openly before everyone.

Original publication: radiovera.ru/kto-tvoj-geroj-svetlana-bakulina.html