Was Alexei Navalny a Martyr?

 

In 2020, Alexei Navalny was poisoned by Vladimir Putin's agents. He survived after treatment in Germany.  In early 2021, he returned to Russia and was imprisoned.  He died three years later.

 There can be no doubt as to the fate that he knew would await him when he returned.

As this is written the exact cause of his death is not known in the West. But whether he was murdered now or later is merely a matter of timing. He had been doomed when he reentered Russia. Martyrdom was the end he sought.

Why?

 Navalny could have remained in the West and done what he could do as an exile to bring down the Putin regime.

 Instead, he chose a different path.

 Was it spiritual?  Was he motivated by thoughts that that are uniquely Russian? The 100,000 Orthodox priests shot under Stalin's rule all share that designation. But certainly martyrdom is not confined to that part of the world

Think of the radical Islamists who attach labels of “martyr” to all who die for their cause or, as a consequence of it, as if they were "participation ribbons" at a youth sporting event. The label doesn't apply.

 In the Christian faith, Jesus is a martyr above all others.  He willingly gave up His life to absolve all mankind of its sins. From a theological perspective that makes sense.

 Undoubtedly Alexei Navalny is a martyr.  Why he chose to become one, I'll confess, I do not understand.