Christian world

Two Pakistani Christians sentenced to death for blasphemy

Two Christians have been sentenced to death in Pakistan on blasphemy charges, the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) said on December 14.  Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, from Lahore, were arrested in 2015 after one of the two was accused of posting offensive material against Islam on their website. Qaisar and his wife Amina have three children, whilst his brother, Amoon is married to Huma, a teacher at Lahore Cathedral School.

Director of Philanthropy in Brot fur die Welt celebration

Upon receiving the invitation of the Brot fur die Welt, with its headquarters in Berlin, director of Philanthropy, Тhe Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Church, Mr. Dragan M. Makojevic, MDiv MTh, had the honor to take a part in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the creation of it. 

While being in Berlin, there was enough time and opportunities to congratulate colleagues and friends, on such important jubilee as well and to talk about current and future cooperation between two institutions.  Director of Philanthropy also had a privilege to meet and talk with His Excellency Mr. Joachim Gauck, the former President of Germany, who used the opportunity and extended His most cordial greetings to the Holy Church and the Serbian people.

First Ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy Celebrated in Saudi Arabia

A report by Cairoscese states that the first ever Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy was held in the conservative Islamic nation of Saudi Arabia. Several Coptic Christians attended the historic Liturgical service. Bishop Ava Mercorious of Shobra El Kheima served the Divine Liturgy at the house of a Coptic resident. The worship services were held over two days (30th November – 1st of December, 2018).

Early Japanese Christian scroll unveiled

A museum has announced at a press conference here that a picture scroll depicting Christians in Japan in its possession was most likely created during the Azuchi-Momoyama period at the end of the 16th century, right after Christianity was introduced to Japan.

Pope visits ‘Pilgrimage of Russian Art’ exhibit in Vatican

During the private visit the Pope was accompanied by Vatican Museums Director, Barbara Jatta, and by the curator of the exhibition, Zelfira Tregulova who heads Moscow’s Tretayakov Gallery. A communiqué from the Vatican Press Office revealed the visit took place at 10am and lasted about 40 minutes. The exhibition is free and can be visited until 16 February 2019.

ACN: almost 300 million Christians persecuted in 21 countries

Some 61% of the world’s population live in countries where religious freedom is not respected; in other words, 6 out of every 10 people around the world cannot express their faith with total freedom.   Among them are almost 300 million Christians, or 1 out of 7, who live in a country of persecution, subject to violence, arrest, and human rights violations.