VSHSON
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The VSHSON or All-Russian Social-Christian Union for the Liberation of the People (Vse-Rossiiskii Sotsial-Hristianskii Soyuz Osvobozhdenie Naroda, Всероссийский Социал-Християнский Союз за Освобождения Народа - ВСХСОН) was an underground anti-Soviet organization that originated in Russia during the 1960s.
The ideology of the members of VSHSON was social Christianity (a “third path – not communism, not capitalism”) – the projection of Christian ethics on a reformed social and economical structure of Soviet society.
VSHSON members stood for the abolishment of Soviet totalitarianism and the resurrection of a “healthy balance between the individual, society, and government”, and the resurrection of the individual (versus Soviet collectivism). As compared to other secret youth organizations of the 1960’s - early 1970’s, the bylaws of VSHSON had stated that every member of the organization “is not only a propagandist and organizer, but a soldier”. The members of VSHSON were ready to go into armed battle against the Bolshevik regime. In many ways the organization can be compared to the emigre NTS.
In 1967, having been reported by a traitor, the organization was uncovered by the KGB. Twenty one of the organization's seventy members were put on trial and received long terms of interment. Co-founder Igor Ogurtsov was sentenced to 15 years of concentration camp interment and 5 years of exile. After returning from exile in Germany, Ogurtsov returned to Russia and continued a life of politcal activism.
