The family of an Armenian Christian killed during protests in Iran faces security pressure following his burial. Authorities reportedly demanded a large sum to release his body. Witnesses state he was shot by forces while chanting for freedom. The funeral occurred at a local church, but the family was forced to claim he died of cancer. Reports indicate ongoing harassment of families of those killed in recent demonstrations. This case highlights the severe risks faced by Christian communities in the region, with authorities exerting control over mourning processes and suppressing information about the circumstances of death.
Authorities in a city in Iran prevented the installation of a tombstone for a 42-year-old Christian who died during protests. Officials blocked the stone prepared for his grave, citing objections to specific poetic phrases. The man was shot while trying to rescue a friend and died after being denied hospital access. His body remains unmarked four months after his death. Reports indicate that tombstones for other victims of the unrest have also been destroyed or covered with cement. At least 18 Christians have reportedly been killed during these protests.
A pastor and lawyer in Iran has finished a fifteen-year project to translate the New Testament into pure Persian, eliminating Arabic vocabulary. Speaking to a news outlet, he explained the work seeks to revive Persian identity and culture. The translation employs Hebrew names and Persian equivalents for theological terms. The translator, who studied in Iran, France, and Australia, noted strong support from the Jewish community and invitations from Israeli universities. He plans to make the text available to the public soon, believing it will resonate with Iranians seeking cultural authenticity.
Thousands of people assembled on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Sunday, May 17, for a one-day prayer event focused on the United States. The gathering, titled 'Renew Our Covenant as a Nation Under God,' featured worship music and stained-glass imagery depicting the nation's founders alongside a cross. According to the Associated Press, US President Donald Trump read scripture in a video message. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other senior Republicans attended the event, which was held as part of the celebrations for the US bicentennial. Speakers emphasized the historical connection between Christianity and American history.
Three Christian pastors from a specific ethnic community were killed in a shooting in a district of Manipur, India. The attack also left four people injured. The victims were identified as three pastors. Local groups blamed a rival faction for the killings. The state chief minister described the murders as disturbing. This incident adds to the ongoing ethnic and religious tensions in the region that have persisted since May 2023. The event highlights the increasing danger faced by religious leaders and minority groups in the state.
Archaeologists in Israel's Ar'aj region, on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, have uncovered artifacts supporting the theory that this area is ancient Bethsaida. The site is traditionally considered the hometown of Jesus' apostles, including Peter and Andrew. Professor Steven Notley presented these findings, which include a first-century house and a Byzantine church, at a Washington DC symposium. The discoveries, reinforced by a 2023 excavation and a 2025 fire that revealed hidden structures, suggest early Christians recognized the location's significance. According to the outlet, the find has drawn widespread attention within the Christian world.
An Orthodox priest in Kazakhstan remains in solitary pre-trial detention. He was arrested on drug charges, which supporters and his lawyer describe as politically motivated retaliation for his opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The priest, who was defrocked after signing a peace letter, appeared in a court in the country. His family reports he is isolated, and his lawyer states guards confiscated his Bible and shaved his beard. Human rights advocates view his case as a test of the nation's commitment to religious freedom and due process.
The president of Iran wrote to the Pope, thanking him for his moral stance regarding recent attacks. The letter claims these attacks killed the Supreme Leader and thousands of citizens, including children. The president accused the United States and Israel of violating international law while asserting that Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians coexist peacefully in Iran. However, reports indicate severe persecution of Christian converts, such as a young convert facing imprisonment despite serious health issues. These conditions contradict the president's claims of religious harmony, highlighting the ongoing danger faced by believers in the region.
A Christian advocacy organization sent a formal letter to Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, strongly criticizing the awarding of a high diplomatic honor to an Iranian ambassador. The group, comprising global church leaders, stated the gesture causes deep pain to Iranians seeking justice, especially following recent protests and executions. They warned that such symbols could inadvertently serve as propaganda for the regime. The letter urged the Vatican to clarify that the honor does not endorse human rights abuses, hold Iran accountable for suppressing dissent, and continue showing pastoral concern for persecuted minorities and political prisoners in the country.
A Christian advocacy group in Iran sent a formal letter to the Pope, expressing concern over the Islamic Republic's use of a Vatican diplomatic honor for propaganda. The group warns that Iranian state media has distorted the award to imply papal support for the regime, despite it being standard protocol. The organization highlights the government's human rights abuses, including the persecution of Christians and domestic church members. The group urges the Vatican to exercise greater caution in diplomatic interactions, arguing that Iranian officials do not represent the Iranian people, who desire peace and religious freedom rather than repression.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Baqeer Gashua on UnsplashPersecuted church
Mohabat News reports that Chinese mining investments in Nigeria are linked to violence against Christians by Fulani extremists in the Middle Belt. The outlet claims China provides funds and weapons, including Norinco rifles, to militias who displace locals to seize mineral rights. Citing Open Doors and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, the article states Nigeria is the deadliest country for Christians, with thousands killed since 2024. Survivors describe attacks in Plateau State, while analysts allege Beijing uses these conflicts to secure lithium and tin resources.
The Marburger Medien Foundation in Hesse, Germany, unveiled a special Bible edition designed to help dementia patients reconnect with their faith. Titled 'Meeting Jesus – Stories from the Gospel,' the book features simplified text and colorful illustrations based primarily on the Gospel of Luke. The project, developed over two years, aims to evoke memories and provide comfort to patients, caregivers, and families. Board chairman Carsten Hatmann stated the initiative addresses the growing elderly population by helping those with prior church connections recall their beliefs. The publication is intended for use in nursing homes and by family caregivers.
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Mohabat News reports that Chinese authorities are altering Christian texts to align with socialist values. Officials in a northern province allegedly forced a state-approved church to remove the Ten Commandments, replacing them with quotes from President Xi Jinping. Additionally, a university textbook reportedly changed a biblical story to depict Jesus stoning a woman instead of showing mercy. These changes aim to position the party as the supreme authority. The report also notes that surveillance technology monitors sermons and thousands of crosses have been removed from churches across the country.
According to OIDAC Europe, anti-Christian incidents surged across Europe in April, with 38 recorded hate crimes. France led with 10 cases, followed by Germany and Italy with seven each. The report highlights violent attacks during Easter, including assaults on clergy in Ireland and Spain, and vandalism in France and Italy. The organization warns that unreported crimes likely indicate a broader vulnerability for Christian communities and worship sites across the continent.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Pope Leo XIV awarded the Order of Pius IX to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran's ambassador to the Holy See. The ceremony honored the embassy's efforts in promoting peace and dialogue. However, this decision contrasts with the Pope's recent criticism of the US and Israel's actions against Iran and his condemnation of protests in Iran. Christian organizations report that at least 50 Christian citizens are imprisoned in Iran for religious activities. The Vatican's move raises questions given Iran's historical pressure on Christians, including church closures and asset confiscations.
Church leaders in India established a national federation to address the harassment of Christians. The initiative was launched during a national meeting attended by bishops and representatives from various Christian denominations. A senior archbishop will lead the new body. According to church officials, the federation aims to counter systematic violent attacks, anti-conversion laws, and government efforts to seize church assets through foreign funding regulations. The group states that unity is necessary to protect millions of Christians in the country from false accusations of forced conversion.
An Islamic rebel group linked to ISIS killed at least 40 Christians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The attacks occurred near the Ugandan border. A civil society leader reported that victims died in multiple districts within the region. Local sources warn the death toll may rise as many residents remain missing. Amnesty International has previously accused the group of war crimes. The DRC continues to face violence from multiple rebel factions, including the M23.
Larry Holland, a 79-year-old Catholic priest, stated that medical staff at a Vancouver hospital in Canada proposed medical aid in dying (MAID) twice while he recovered from a hip fracture. The Vancouver Sun and APTN reported that a doctor and a nurse raised the option despite his condition not being terminal and his known opposition to euthanasia. Holland expressed shock, calling the unsolicited suggestion false compassion. Critics, including Amanda Achtemaier, argue this reflects a broader shift in Canada's healthcare system where vulnerable patients are pressured into MAID. The Canadian government reports over 76,000 MAID deaths recorded by December 2024.
SAT-7 reported that Iranian authorities arrested a 30-year-old Christian woman recently. Security agents detained her for sharing Christian-related content on Instagram, according to John Sarneglia, head of SAT-7 USA. The arrest was confirmed by a relative working for the network. This incident follows the detention of three other Christians in a region for forming a house church. Sarneglia stated these events highlight serious risks for Christians in Iran and urged global Christian response, while noting that local believers remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution.
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