Repression of East Europe Christians is Growing warns Relief Organisation

On Thursday 5th August, Eastern Europe Outreach (EEO) warned that a government-led repression of Evangelical Christians was on the rise across Eastern Europe, in particular across the former Soviet Union.

EEO has stated that it has not been able to carry out its work as effectively as possible due to a crackdown on Christians by security forces that have allegedly burned down evangelical churches, beaten pastor and church followers.

"When Communism failed in 1989, there was great rejoicing around the world; Christians rejoiced because they knew that Russia would be open to the Gospel (and) there would be no longer a need to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain," EEO said.

"Now, 15 years later, there seems to be a shift away from the glory days of religious freedom that followed the fall of the Soviet Union", EEO added.

EEO’s mission is to provide aid and evangelise to people experiencing poverty such as families, children and prisoners. The organisation has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin and other politicians of encouraging persecution by "making deals with the Russian Orthodox Church (as it) doesn't want competition from Bible-believing groups."

It is not the only organisation to speak out against persecutions in the country. Several evangelical leaders have accused the Russian Orthodox Church of cooperating with the previous Communist regime, despite the fact that several Orthodox priest suffered also for their refusals to compromise.

EEO have been unable to continue many of its activities this year, and the Association of Christian Churches (ACCR) in Russia and other groups are having to carry on in the aftermath of aggressive incidents recently.

"This time repression does not come as a result of government edict, but as a result of bureaucratic cronyism. Political expediency is smothering the flames of religious freedom," said the organization.

The organisation also reported that local police "forcibly broke up the Spiritual Revival Centre" in the City of Voronezhskaya, in August last year.

"The pastor was beaten up and many people, including women and children, were traumatised both physically and mentally." In addition in Tutayevo City, the tent belonging to the Tutayevo church was burned up, the organisation quoted ACCR as reporting.

Church leaders have also received fines and even been imprisoned for teaching children or holding evangelical activities, human rights watches have said. More recent reports have also included incidents such as the forcible closure of evangelical churches or the sudden cancellation of rental contracts for buildings being used for prayer services in Russia or former Soviet Republics.

EEO believe that the Russian President “is creating much of the problem”, as he continues to cooperate with Orthodox churches opposing evangelicals. They also say that he downplays “the role of evangelical believers in Russian society.”

The Executive Director of EEO, Jeff Thompson expressed the hope that “even though we are seeing some repression now, it's nothing like it used to be."

He stressed however the need to scrutinise trends, although he was certain his ministry "is properly focused now and for the future."