Resources
Persecution of Christians in Iran, Part Two
Author: Ioannis E. Kotoulas
Publication Date: 24/5/2023
Source: The Algemeiner
Iran’s Christian and other minority religious communities are subject to monitoring, restrictions, constant harassment, and judicial procedures. Recognized minority religions, according to Article 13 of Iran’s constitution, include Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity. In general, non-Islamic religious minorities face wide discrimination and are subjected to arrest and excessive prison sentences. Iran’s Jewish population shrank from 100,000 before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, to less than 10,000 today. Iran also persecutes smaller religious communities, including Baha’is, Yarsanis, and Ahmadis.
The Persecution of Christians in Iran
Author: Ioannis E. Kotoulas
Publication Date: 23/5/2023
Source: The Algemeiner
Iran’s small Christian community enjoyed a rare reprieve last month when Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was released from prison before finishing a six year sentence.
The reasons why Nadarkhani, 38, was in prison to begin with, provide a stark example of the restrictions that Iran’s Christians, especially those who converted from Islam, live with each day. His work running a 400-member “house church” was deemed to be “acting against national security.”
Christians in Jordan welcome progress on inheritance law
Author: Rana Husseini
Publication Date: 20/5/2023
Source: Al Monitor
AMMAN — The Councils of Christian Denominations (CCD) in Jordan unanimously approved a draft law for Christians earlier this month, which will work toward granting equal inheritance rights for men and women.
Iranian Christian Marzi Amirizadeh: From death row to Shabbat table
Author: Jonathan Feldstein
Publication Date: 21/4/2023
Source: The Jerusalem Post
It’s not every day that you get to meet a new friend who is an Iranian dissident, much less an Iranian dissident who was sentenced to death by hanging, and lived to tell about it. But this month, that’s what I was privileged to do, spending considerable time with Marziyeh “Marzi” Amirizadeh, who had arrived in Israel on her first visit.
The underground church of Iran
Publication Date: 24/4/2023
Source: Communio Messianica
Iran is a country known for its strict adherence to Islamic law, which makes practicing any religion other than Islam difficult, especially for converts from Islam to Christianity who now form a huge “underground church.” Despite the challenges, the underground church in Iran has been growing over the past few decades, and it is shaping the future of this restricted country.
Iranian Christian rights activist wins German prize
Publication Date: 25/4/2023
Source: UCA News
A German foundation that supports persecuted Christians honored an Iranian Christian civil rights activist with a prestigious prize for her brave and relentless campaign for human rights despite state oppression.
Three dangers that can choke out a persecuted Church
Author: Lyndsey Koh
Publication Date: 18/4/2023
Source: Mission Network News
But is that always the case? Are there products of persecution that pose spiritual threats to the persecuted Church?
The Iranian Church is one of the fastest-growing Christian populations in the world. In 1979, there were only around 500 known Christians in Iran. Today, the Iranian Christian population has grown to between 800,000 and one million people.
Syrian Orthodox patriarch's historic visit to the Holy Land
Publication Date: 9/5/2023
Source: Christian Media Centre
Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, made a historic visit to the Holy Land last May 4-9. It has been 58 years since the last time a Syrian Orthodox patriarch was allowed to enter the Holy Places. The patriarch was received by delegations of leaders and representatives of the various churches, and by the chairman of the Palestinian Higher Presidential Commission for Ecclesiastical Affairs, representing the Palestinian president.
