Fr Michael Li was pastor of the Kazan Church in Shanghai when the Cultural Revolution took place. Fr Michael, his matushka Anna and four children were evicted from the church residence (which was behind the Shanghai cathedral) and made to live in a tiny room. All of his church property, vestments and books were confiscated and destroyed.
Fr Michael was forced to work in a stone quarry for some 20 years (from 1966-1986) until he reached retirement age. The daily quota was to break down 8000 kilos of rock into gravel for roads. He had to remain silent at work and in public and in the evening was questioned as to whom he had spoken to. With his family, he was taunted as a "devil" for his beliefs. It was necessary to pray in secret during all those years, but God preserved him in good health.
In 1998, he was able to emigrate to Australia with his wife to serve as second priest in Croydon, NSW. He reposed in the Lord on May 12, 2016.