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Actively Remembering and Serving the "Church Persecuted."

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Arrests for Alleged Conversion Activities

Christians are gathered in worship.
Christians in India.
Photo: VOMC

Multiple Christians were recently arrested by authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, resulting in charges of coercive religious conversions. In each case, allegations against the Christians by Hindu nationalist groups led to sudden police raids.

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Pastor Tried for Organizing Illegal Gatherings

Ma Yan is sitting at the front of several rows of chairs.
Ma Yan
Photo: ChinaAid
 

On August 9th, 2024, a preacher named Ma Yan was arrested in the Chinese city of Yinchuan for "disrupting social order" and given a ten-day detention. Immediately following his release, Ma was arrested again for "organizing illegal gatherings." The accusations stem from a small gathering of Christians that took place in a hotel on August 9th.

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Orthodox Priest Transferred to Russian Labour Camp

Father Kostiantyn Maksimov in a grey robe. He is wearing a large cross around his neck.
Father Kostiantyn Maksimov 
Photo: Center for Civil Liberties
 

In May 2023, Orthodox priest Kostiantyn Maksimov was taken captive by Russian occupation forces in the Zaporizhzhia Region of eastern Ukraine. In March 2024, it was announced that he had been accused of reporting the location of Russian air defences and put on trial for espionage. On August 2nd, the church leader was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in a forced labour camp. For more details on Father Kostiantyn's case, see these reports.