Christian persecution

#RedWeek campaign raises awareness of Christian persecution worldwide

The #RedWeek campaign of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a 70-year-old Catholic initiative, unfolds between November 19 and 26, 2023: churches and famous monuments around the world are lit with red lights to draw attention to the persecution of Christians. The first edition of the #RedWeek campaign was in 2015, when the statue…

Nov 22, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Târgoviște: Churches illuminated in red to raise awareness for persecuted Christians

Several churches whose history is linked to Wallachia’s holy prince Constantine Brâncoveanu were illuminated in red on August 16 in Târgoviște, a city situated 80 kilometres north-west of Bucharest, to mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. In addition to lighting their churches in red, the…

Aug 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Report: 63% of the world’s population lives in countries where they cannot freely witness their Christian faith

According to a report of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), almost 5 billion people (63% of the world’s population) live in countries where free Christian witness is restrained or even forbidden. During the last three years, the number of countries where Christians are killed or kidnapped has reached 40. Also, according to ACN…

Aug 21, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Celebrating the Holy Brâncoveanu Martyrs, Romania raises awareness of Christian persecution

On August 16, Romania marks the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. The President of Romania ratified the law declaring August 16 as “National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians” on July 16, 2020. The 16th of August was…

Aug 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Open Doors report: 2022 was the worst year for Christians worldwide

Open Doors releases its annual World Watch List 2023, confirming that one out of every seven Christians worldwide suffers high persecution and discrimination for their faith. According to the data reported, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.  Similar numbers were recorded last year. However, the score…

Feb 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

We confess Christ by deeds: Bp Varlaam on feast day of Great Martyr Demetrius

His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploieşti on Tuesday spoke about the persecutions to which the Church was subjected in the past, but also about the current persecutions. Regarding the confession of Christ, the hierarch said that it must be fulfilled by the example of our lives, by works. On the feast day of the Holy…

Oct 27, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks National Day of Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians

August 16 marks Romania’s National Day of Remembrance of the Brancoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. Romania’s President ratified the law proclaiming August 16 as “National Day of Remembrance of the Brancoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians” on July 16, 2020. The day of August 16 was chosen to coincide with…

Aug 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Report: Epicenter of persecutions against Christians has moved from the Middle East to Africa

A report made by the Russian Orthodox Church concludes that African Christians are the most exposed to persections at present. The epicenter of persecutions against Christians has moved from the Middle East to Africa. “Situation in Nigeria causes the greatest concerns. This country holds the first place in the world for its level of anti-Christian…

Apr 29, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Persecutions against Christians worsen during pandemic

More than 340 million Christians were severely persecuted in 2020 and the phenomenon worsened during the coronavirus pandemic, announced last week Portes Ouvertes, the Frech partner of Open Doors International. The numbers have gone up since the 2019 report, which found 260 million Christians persecuted globally. The organization monitors all the incidents, from daily soft…

Jan 20, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Bishop Varlaam reminds that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world

At the all-night vigil service held in honour of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-gusher, a great martyr of the 4th century, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploieşti spoke about the current persecutions against Christians and stressed that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. “Usually when we talk about persecution we refer to…

Oct 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

‘Christians are the most persecuted. Either their rights are restricted or they are even killed,’ Bishop Ignatie warns

The persecution of Christians worldwide and the lack of the public’s reaction on this topic were two aspects that the Bishop of Huși highlighted in his sermon at Stroieşti Parish on Sunday. “It has been found that Christians are the most persecuted in this world. Official statistics say that in 2018-2019, more than 260 million…

Aug 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu