The persecution of Christians worldwide and the lack of the public’s reaction on this topic were two aspects that the Bishop of Huși highlighted in his sermon at Stroieşti Parish on Sunday.
“It has been found that Christians are the most persecuted in this world. Official statistics say that in 2018-2019, more than 260 million Christians were persecuted in over 50 countries around the world. Either their rights to manifest their faith are restricted, or they are even killed,” said the bishop in the context of the first National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians.
Bishop Ignatie reminded that the greatest abuses against Christians take place in North Korea “where, if you have a Christian Bible or make a cross, you are liable to death.”
His Grace also referred to the persecutions in other states where Christians are suffering, and their churches are destroyed and pointed out that those events are not a topic of interest for the mass media.
“At the European level, we don’t see much news circulating about the persecution of Christians,” Bishop Ignatie said August 16.
The bishop of Husi recalled that the massacre in France, in the editorial office of Charlie Hebdo magazine, covered the front page of the newspapers, but the beheading of some Egyptian Christians did not arouse interest in the press.
“No news was given and no solidarity was shown.”
His Grace also criticised the lack of reaction from international public opinion to the transformation of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral into a mosque.
“This Cathedral has been a Christian church for 500 years since its construction. In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum. For 84 years it has been a museum, a world heritage site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Last Sunday marked the first “National Day of remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians.” The law was promulgated by the President of Romania on July 16, 2020.
The bishop recalled of the sacrifice of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs, about whom he said that “they remain a model of martyrs.”
“They were subjected to torment and were asked to renounce Christ (…). The youngest child, Matthew, wanted to give up. He was 12 years old. The Holy Ruler Prince Constantine told him: “if you were to die a thousand times, you would not renounce Christ.” Following his father’s exhortation, he said, “I want to die a Christian.” They gave their lives in the name of Christ.
Photography courtesy of the Basilica.ro Archive
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