03/22/2024 Russia (International Christian Concern) – President Vladimir Putin of Russia was re-elected on March 15 for his fifth presidential term. Ruling for nearly a quarter-century, Putin received 87% of the vote in Friday’s election, and congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko..READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>
Once Putin reaches the end of his fifth term, he will be the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great, who ruled in the 18th century. Generally, religious freedom issues in Russia do not significantly affect the largest Christian denomination present in the country. Approximately 71% of Russia’s population identifies as Orthodox Christians, which is Putin’s professed religion. While Orthodoxy is one religion protected under the constitution, the government simultaneously prohibits violating public order or extremist activity, which is not defined.
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Religious groups that typically endure Russian persecution include Protestants and Roman Catholics. NGO groups have reported several instances of attacks on protestant churches and the confiscation of religious literature. Russian officials frequently arrest missionaries for “illegal” work, including the recent arrest of a South Korean Christian missionary.
Additionally, religious persecution of Ukrainians remains high during the time of war between the two countries. Several NGOs reported the detention and deaths of specifically protestant civilians in the city of Mariupol in March of 2022.
Despite the legal freedom of religion protected in the constitution, actions that the Putin regime interprets as criticism have resulted in severe punishment. The continued suppression of all freedoms, including freedom of religion, is expected as a result of the new election. Despite Putin’s claim as the protector of Christianity, the limitations placed on Russian citizens to act on free will limit the scope of human free will generally.
We pray that the Lord would be a tangible presence to the Christians in Russia. We pray that all basic human freedoms will be made available in Russia during the next leg of the Putin regime. We pray that the Lord will enact divine justice for the Putin regime that goes beyond the understanding of this world. We praise God that he loves the people of Russia and has not forgotten them..READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>
