Photo: Baptist Council of Churches
Churches in occupied areas of eastern Ukraine continue to experience ongoing opposition from Russian-installed authorities. For Christians within the region, this has led to harsh restrictions on places of worship that are not affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as those that do not comply with the imposed regulations.
On May 23rd, Pastor Vladimir Rudomyotkin was fined for alleged “missionary activity” because he did not receive permission from officials to hold regular worship services at his church. Along with requiring permits for Christians to meet, the authorities have also forced pastors to submit their sermons for review and report the names of attending church members.
On June 8th, a Council of Churches Baptist congregation in Krasnodon was celebrating Pentecost Sunday when their service was suddenly raided by police. The intruding officers alleged that the church was not registered with the Russian-controlled authorities. Congregations belonging to the Council of Churches Baptist oppose government registration for numerous reasons. According to Pastor Vladimir Rytikov, "One of the reasons is the [newly imposed] duty of the pastor to report to the authorities about the life of church members and about the service.... This is betrayal."
Other church leaders report that Russian officials have met with them to "discuss" the content of their sermons and the way in which the worship services are conducted. For example, one priest was confronted by the authorities because he failed to praise the Russian military and their campaign against Ukraine in his Easter message. To review previously published reports concerning the restrictions imposed on Christians in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied areas, go to this list.
- Please continue to prayerfully remember our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ as they deal with the restrictions imposed on them by occupying forces, asking that they would remain encouraged and steadfast in their faith.
- Ask God to grant wisdom, courage and discernment to church leaders who are serving within Ukraine’s occupied areas so they can honour and glorify Him through their appropriate responses to the harsh regulations and policies.
- In general, may the Lord guard the hearts and minds of Ukrainian believers with His perfect peace while bringing about a lasting and just resolution between the two warring Eastern European nations.
