1st Century Town Discovered in Israel
The construction of a resort in Galilee for Christian pilgrims may have inadvertently uncovered the hometown of the biblical Mary Magdalene.
Worthy News
Kazakhstan: Christian Jailed For Not Paying Fine After Raid
A Christian father of three has been jailed in Kazakhstan for refusing to pay a fine for leading a worship service in his own home, according to Barnabas Aid.
Ayatollah Khamenei Takes to Twitter to Bash Israel
On Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to Twitter to vehemently attack Israel and called the Jewish state a “fake nation” and the “most wicked terrorists.”
Official PA Newspaper: Israel’s Creation is ‘Greatest Crime Known to Humanity’
The official Palestinian Authority Daily published an op-ed coinciding with Israel’s Independence Day last week calling Israel’s creation as “greatest crime known to humanity” according to Palestinian Media Watch.
US Supreme Court Ruling Protects Religious Freedom for All Faiths
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court Monday affirmed the freedom of Americans to pray according to their own beliefs at public meetings in the landmark religious freedom case Town of Greece v. Galloway.
Syria: Maaloula’s Christian Sites Sacked By Rebels
An official report by the Directorate General of Antiquities has documented the destruction inflicted on Maaloula and its historical sites by Islamist rebel fighters after pro-Assad forces had regained the Syrian city, according to International Christian Concern.
Christians Can’t Bury Dead in Uzbek State Cemeteries
Christians in Uzbekistan are being blocked from burying their dead in state-owned cemeteries as secular officials bend to pressures from Islamic religious leaders, according to Barnabas Aid.
Private Christians across China to face public persecution
Thousands of Christians who worship in private “underground” churches across China are now facing public persecution, according to International Christian Concern.
Eritrea even persecutes ‘official’ Christians
Eritrea even persecutes its own officially recognized religions.
Just last week, five Christians about to be ordained in Eritrea’s state sanctioned Evangelical Lutheran Church were arrested instead, according to Morning Star News.
Kyrgyzstan: Church Appeals Building Confiscation
A church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is appealing a decision allowing local authorities to confiscate its building, according to Barnabas Aid.
Homes of Christians Fleeing Iraq Seized by Gangs
Gangs in Baghdad are seizing homes left vacant by Christian families who have been forced to flee from sectarian violence, according to Barnabas Aid.
Abedini: God has chosen us for this ordeal
The wife of an American pastor serving eight years in Iran for his Christian faith said God had chosen their family for this ordeal to reach people in despair.
Russian Authorities Target Christian-Run Projects
Christian organizations in Russia that teach secular education may face harassment from government officials, according to Barnabas Aid.
Syrian Islamists Kill 80 Christians, Displace Thousands More
Eighty Christians were killed and thousands more displaced after Islamic militants attacked the strategic Syrian town of Kessab near the Turkish border on March 21, according to Barnabas Aid.
Belarus: Christian-run Homeless Shelter Closed
A private homeless shelter run by a Christian in Belarus has been legally stripped of its license to operate, according to Barnabas Aid.
California Residents Protest Cross Removal with More Crosses
California citizens are protesting the removal of a large memorial cross by publicly displaying smaller crosses bearing messages for the atheists whose complaints caused the memorial to be taken down, according to International Christian Concern.
Religious Freedom Act stalled in US Senate
Legislation to help protect persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East has been stalled in the Senate, according to International Christian Concern.
Imprisoned Kazakh Pastor Released
Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev was released yesterday on three years’ probation following a bizarre trial and nine months of imprisonment, according to International Christian Concern.
Call to Protect Syria’s Christians
The World Evangelical Alliance has called for the protection of Syria’s Christian population ahead of the upcoming peace conference in Geneva, according to International Christian Concern.
Charges Dropped, but Pastor Remains in Prison
Although charges of “propagating extremism” leveled against a 67-year-old Presbyterian pastor were dropped Wednesday by a court in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, the minister still remains in prison, according to International Christian Concern.