All articles tagged with #persecution
Brother Anatoliy Yevtushenko was sentenced to two years in prison by the Sovetskiy District Court of Krasnodar on December 23, 2025, exemplifying patience and endurance in the face of persecution, inspiring others to remain confident in Jehovah’s mercy.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been active in Mozambique for 100 years, starting with Albino Mhelembe in 1925. Despite facing severe persecution from the 1940s to the 1970s, they persisted in their preaching work. Legal recognition in 1991 marked a turning point, leading to significant growth, with over 109,000 members now actively sharing the Bible’s message in nearly 30 languages across the country.
In 2025, construction workers in Lörrach, Germany, discovered over 100 pieces of hidden Bible literature from the 1930s, revealing the courageous efforts of the Denz family who risked their lives to smuggle religious materials into Nazi Germany, enduring arrest and imprisonment while maintaining their faith.
South African finance minister rebukes Donald Trump's false claims of Afrikaner persecution and land confiscation, calling his statements unsubstantiated and regrettable, amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Pastor Ezra Jin and over 30 members of Zion Church, an underground Christian church in China, have been arrested amid a government crackdown on unregistered religious groups, sparking international concern and calls for their release.
Pope Leo XIV commemorated modern Christian martyrs, emphasizing their role in uniting Christians across denominations through their witness of faith and love, and highlighted the ongoing persecution of Christians worldwide, urging believers to draw inspiration from their sacrifices to promote peace and unity.
Pope Leo XIV led an ecumenical service honoring 21st-century martyrs, emphasizing that their sacrifice continues to inspire faith and unity among Christians despite ongoing persecution, and calling for courage and solidarity to build a more peaceful world.
Pope Leo XIV condemned the deadly attack on a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 40 Christians were killed, and called for efforts to prevent such violence, praying for the victims and persecuted Christians worldwide.
Following the takeover of Syria by Islamist-led rebels, Christian leaders met with the new forces to discuss concerns about potential persecution and the status of Christians as second-class citizens. Bishop Antoine Audo emphasized the historical contributions of Arab Christians and the need for equal status. Despite assurances from the rebels, watchdog groups remain concerned about the safety of Christians, citing incidents of aid theft and ethnic cleansing. The Christian population in Syria has significantly declined due to ongoing conflict and persecution.
Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan "migrant influencer" who encouraged squatting in the U.S., is now complaining from jail about being a victim of persecution and missing his freedom. He was arrested in Ohio after failing to appear for required check-ins and may be facing federal firearm charges. Moreno's inflammatory TikTok videos, in which he bragged about not having to work and encouraged squatting, led to his account being banned. He insists that the person on his social media posts was just a "character" and shouldn’t be conflated with his normal self.
Venezuelan "migrant influencer" Leonel Moreno, who encouraged squatting and illegal entry into the U.S., complains from jail about persecution and missing his freedom. He faces federal firearm charges and had a TikTok account with over 500,000 followers before it was banned. Moreno had urged illegal immigrants to take over abandoned homes and invoke squatters' rights, vowing to continue earning money on Facebook and Instagram. He insists that his social media persona is just a "character" and shouldn't be conflated with his real self.
Venezuelan "migrant influencer" Leonel Moreno, who previously encouraged squatting and mocked America on social media, now complains of "persecution" and missing his freedom in a jailhouse interview with the NY Post. Moreno, who is currently in Geauga County Jail in Ohio, faces immigration violations and potential federal firearm charges. He insists that his social media persona is separate from his real self and claims to be a victim of unfair treatment due to his work.
Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Michigan, criticizing recent legal losses and claiming persecution, particularly in New York cases involving financial fraud and hush money. He accused judges and the DA of being "lunatics" and "deranged," and warned that the U.S. would become a third world country due to the persecution of political opponents. Trump also discussed immigration issues and touted his campaign for the GOP nomination, urging early voting in Michigan's upcoming presidential primary election.
Russia's Supreme Court has classified the "international LGBT social movement" as an "extremist" organization, effectively banning any related activism. The exact wording of the decision is unknown, but advocates fear that human rights movements and activists supporting LGBTQ+ rights may now face persecution. The law imposes severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to 12 years, for members of extremist organizations. LGBTQ+ activists have already left Russia due to increasing hostility, and those remaining are evaluating the risks. The ban is seen by some as an attempt to boost President Putin's reelection campaign by emphasizing "traditional family values."
About 250 Rohingya refugees, fleeing persecution in Myanmar, are stranded at sea after their attempt to land in Indonesia was rejected. Two other boats carrying around 350 refugees were also prevented from landing earlier in the week. Locals in Bireuen refused to allow the third boat to land and pushed it back out to sea. When the boat tried to land again in Muara Batu, the refugees were lined up and escorted back. The refugees, including women and children, have been at sea for almost three weeks and are in desperate need of food and water.