Study: In 2021, 5,898 Christians died for their faith

In 2021, more than 360 million Christians were persecuted in their communities and 5,898 died for their faith. These are the findings of the World Watch List report published by Open Doors' World Watch Research group. The report is based on monitoring the religious situation in 50 countries where there are obstacles to the practice of Christianity.

According to the report, 6,175 Christians have been detained, arrested, convicted or imprisoned and 3,829 have been abducted. The Algerian government has closed 13 churches and intends to close seven more. In Iraq, the Christian community has decreased from 1.4 million people in 2003 to less than 250, 000.

In India, radical Hinduism is gaining ground, with many states passing laws restricting conversions. This has caused an increase in violence against Christians. The picture is the same in neighbouring Myanmar.

In Nigeria, almost 100 million Christians are being repressed by the government and attacked by the terrorist Islamist group Boko Haram, as well as other radical Islamic organisations.

As reported, Christianophobia has also risen sharply in Europe. 

Read also

Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.

Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling

Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.

Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral

The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.

4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra

The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.

OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna

In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.

His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit

At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.