News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Greek-Catholic-Church-in-Luhansk-eastern-Ukraine-main_article_image.jpg
Riwnodennyk
World News

'Churches face shutdown and Christians threatened with arrest' in Ukraine

Laws recently introduced in the rebel-held Luhansk region affectively outlaw Protestant Christianity, the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group has warned.

The organisation alleges that officials in the territory, which has been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, have imposed a re-registration process for churches.

Ukraine's Institute for Religious Freedom reports that evangelical Christian communities have been barred from re-registration, meaning they are breaking the law if they do not cease to operate.

The Christian ministry Ellel Ministries, which trains church leaders across eastern Europe said it was monitoring the situation and liaising with colleagues in the country.

Staff member, Richard Jones (whose real name has been protected for security reasons), told Premier the legislation forms part of a pro-Russian agenda endorsed by Moscow.

Mr Jones said: "Russia is encouraging this kind of thing to happen, to make sure that there is a completely pro-Russian area surrounding the Russian Federation."

Qypchak

"They make it impossible for any churches to re-register which means, of course, the churches can no longer operate even in their own buildings.

Human rights advocates claim all non-Russian Orthodox churches are facing persecution in Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk, which is also in the hands of separatists.

Mr Jones, who has travelled extensively in Russia and Ukraine, added: "We pray for our fellow believers there because they are going through a very strongly oppressed time, just as believers are in China, for example.

Click here to listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking with Richard Jones at Ellel Ministries:

Top picture: A Greek Catholic church in Luhansk

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate