Chinese authorities arrest hundreds of Christians before Christmas
An illustration for the article about the persecution of Christians in China. Photo: Melnikov Dmitry/Shutterstock
On December 13, 2025, China's authorities mobilized more than a thousand police officers, SWAT units, anti-riot forces, and firefighters in the Zhejiang Province’s Yayang Town in Wenzhou City, raiding churches and conducting mass arrests of Christians before Christmas, reports Life Site News.
According to human rights activists, belongings of relevant individuals were illegally confiscated, roads leading to the church were completely blocked by police, and Christians in Yayang Town were unable to enter the Yayang church. Within just the first two days, several hundreds of people were taken away for questioning. Some of whom remained in custody without official explanations.
Law enforcement agencies paid special attention to active members of Christian communities, accusing them of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". Human rights organizations note that such formulations are regularly used by Chinese authorities to pressure religious groups not controlled by the state.
After the raids, the police increased surveillance of believers, keeping watch at the homes of well-known parishioners and conducting surveys. According to eyewitnesses, this created an atmosphere of fear in Christian communities before Christmas.
International organizations for the protection of religious freedom regard the events as part of a policy of "religious sinicization", aimed at subjecting religious life to state control and displacing independent Christian communities.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that five Christians in Iran were sentenced to combined 50 years for Christmas prayers.
Read also
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.
Director of Orthodox school writes open letter to "investigator"
Anna Bolhova emphasized that God turns slander and lies directed against Christians into their victory.