The Russian Cross

In July 1941, Father Alexander, a priest, is being held in the NKVD's dungeons in the town of Gdov. He is accused of collaborating with the advancing Germans due to his sermons, in which he discusses the spiritual state of the country and the war as a punishment. Captain Yakovlev, a member of the State Security, conducts the interrogation, attempting to break the priest's will. Suddenly, the town is attacked by the Germans, and the prison building is destroyed by a bombardment, killing the guards and causing the prisoners to scatter in the chaos. Father Alexander escapes from his imprisonment and heads towards Luga.