Study: In 2021, 5,898 Christians died for their faith

In 2021, more than 360 million Christians were persecuted in their communities and 5,898 died for their faith. These are the findings of the World Watch List report published by Open Doors' World Watch Research group. The report is based on monitoring the religious situation in 50 countries where there are obstacles to the practice of Christianity.

According to the report, 6,175 Christians have been detained, arrested, convicted or imprisoned and 3,829 have been abducted. The Algerian government has closed 13 churches and intends to close seven more. In Iraq, the Christian community has decreased from 1.4 million people in 2003 to less than 250, 000.

In India, radical Hinduism is gaining ground, with many states passing laws restricting conversions. This has caused an increase in violence against Christians. The picture is the same in neighbouring Myanmar.

In Nigeria, almost 100 million Christians are being repressed by the government and attacked by the terrorist Islamist group Boko Haram, as well as other radical Islamic organisations.

As reported, Christianophobia has also risen sharply in Europe. 

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.