Russia: Thousands of Christians Fast and Pray after Putin Signs Anti-Evangelism Law

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Jul 13, 2016

Russia: Thousands of Christians Fast and Pray after Putin Signs Anti-Evangelism Law

Russian Christians are extremely worried about their religious freedom after Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a law banning all evangelism outside of churches.

The Christian Post reports that the new law comes as a heavy blow to Russian Christians. It restricts all religious preaching and teaching outside of church buildings and makes breaking this restriction a punishable offense. 

The law is ostensibly aimed at protecting the country from terrorism. However, many have equated it to Soviet-era measures. Hannu Haukka, president of Great Commission Media Ministries, told National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) that "This new situation resembles the Soviet Union in 1929. At that time confession of faith was permitted only in church. Practically speaking, we are back in the same situation. These anti-terrorist laws are some of the most restrictive laws in post-Soviet history."

Thousands of churches in Russia are coming together to fast and pray that the law would be repealed. Some have even stated that they intend to defy the law and keep evangelizing. Haukka asked Christians worldwide to join their Russian brothers and sisters in prayer.

"Russia is closing down in an awful way,” said Haukka. “The new law is in total conflict with the purpose and the task given to the church by the Lord.” 

Photo: A street sweeper walks past St. Basil's Cathedral at Red Square in Moscow on Jan. 15, 2016.

Photo courtesy: REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

Publication date: July 13, 2016



Russia: Thousands of Christians Fast and Pray after Putin Signs Anti-Evangelism Law