Conservative orthodox Russian millionaire to host "slave market" during his own farmer's fair

Scandal-ridden Russian businessman and self-proclaimed Orthodox Christian German Sterligov has announced plans to host a slave market during an upcoming farmer's market.

 He runs an Orthodox commune called "Settlement of the Sterligov Brothers" or simply "Sloboda" on the family's private grounds on the outskirts of Moscow, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

 An agricultural market titled "Grand Artisan Fair" will be held there from August 29-30. Besides selling handmade goods and acting as a venue where "peasants and craftsmen" can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another, he plans to organize a slave market.

 According to the conservative hardliner who is a self-proclaimed monarchist, the slave market could serve as a radical solution to staffing issues.

 Russian media outlets have widely reported on his traditional views and life. He has been a co-founder of Russia's first commodities exchange called Alisa, thanks to which he has generated a fortune of wealth. Critics often point to the exorbitant prices that are charged at his fairs, such as selling loafs of bread for 1600 Russian Roubles (approx. $20) or a kilogram of cheese for 120,000 Russian Roubles (approx. $1500).

 Sterligov has previously sparked controversy by calling members of Christian denominations “suckers.” Although he describes himself as unbaptized, he insists he is Orthodox. According to him, all existing branches of Christianity have fallen into heresy. He claims that even priests are aware of this but conceal the truth from their congregations.

 In April, it was revealed that Sterligov disinherited his entire family. He called his wife and daughter heretics and labeled his two sons as “fornicators.” He did not specify which particular "heresy" they had fallen into, but stated that his wife, daughter Pelagia, and sons Arseny and Panteleimon were no longer part of the “Sterligov Settlement.”

By Nazrin Sadigova