Ukraine: Russian Forces Closed Churches and Arrested Pastors in Occupied Territories
Russian troops have closed three large evangelical churches in Melitopol and another in Mariupol, Ukraine. Allegedly, Russian soldiers also were told that the only religion to be tolerated would be the Russian Orthodox, according to reports by Release International.
Release International, an organization helping persecuted Chritians, quoted their "sister" organization Voice of the Martyrs Korea, also dedicated on helping Christians and now in contact with Christians in the occupied territories in Ukraine:
"Dr. Hyun Sook Foley described the raid on Grace Baptist Church on September 11: "They entered the sanctuary while the congregation was singing a hymn, halted the worship service, registered the names of all present and detained several ministers." She says the occupiers also gave the pastor Mikhail Brisyn just 48 hours to get out of the city.
Grace Baptist Church worship service was being broadcast live when the troops moved in. Viewers watched online as soldiers halted the service. That video has since been removed from the Internet."
Sources: Independent Catholic News; Release International; Christian Today
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