Crosses removed from churches and Christians arrested in China – media
A Chinese national flag flies in front of St. Joseph’s Church in Beijing. Photo: AFP
In early 2026, a new wave of persecution of Christians who are not part of state-controlled religious structures was recorded in China, the UCA News portal reports.
Last week, police detained Li Yingqiang, the leader of the Protestant community Early Rain Covenant Church, his wife, and five other church ministers. All of them are being held in custody without any formal charges.
On January 4, in Zhejiang Province, police special units surrounded the Yayang church, after which the cross was removed from the bell tower. Previously, this church had already been stormed – during that raid, hundreds of believers were detained, and at least 20 people remain under arrest to this day.
According to human rights advocates, the heightened pressure on Christians is linked to the policy of PRC Chairman Xi Jinping on the “Sinicization of religions,” which is accompanied by the destruction of crosses, bans on online services, the installation of surveillance cameras in churches, and criminal prosecution of clergy.
Representatives of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China said that the authorities require religious organizations to demonstrate loyalty to the Communist Party.
As the UOJ reported, 388 million Christians worldwide face persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Read also
Hierarch of the UOC Consecrated Veneration Crosses and Chapel in the Village of Vartikovtsy
Bishop Job of Kitsman performed the consecration of the cemetery and offered prayers for the repose of the deceased residents of the Bukovinian village.
In the Rivne Eparchy, a procession has begun to the hermitage of Saint Anna
Believers from the Rivne region will travel with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Only Hope of the Hopeless," offering prayers for peace and Ukraine.
UOC church in Chornomorsk affected by shelling
The Holy Transfiguration Church had its windows smashed and the grounds of the Sunday school damaged as a result of shelling.
Patriarch Theophilos: Jerusalem Church occupies a special place in Orthodoxy
The mission of the Jerusalem Church is directed to the entire Orthodox world, emphasized Her Primate.
Patriarch Theophilos in Athens: The Church of Jerusalem facing trials
The Primate of the Jerusalem Patriarchate spoke about trials in the Holy Land.
June 7 is Eve of Peter’s Fast
The Apostolic (Peter's) Fast, established in honor of the holy chief Apostles Peter and Paul, begins on Monday.