Over 20 centuries, Christianity in the Middle East has developed into varied Church communities in response to multiple challenges from inside and out. Hugh Wybrew completes his quick overview. Read part one of this series Eastern Church members join with the Roman Catholic Church (15th-20th centuries) Later, at various times, some members of all the Eastern Churches entered into communion […]
The history of the Christian Church in the Middle East and North Africa with its numerous internal disputes and external influences is complex, as all the present conflicts in the region have underlined. In a two-part article, Revd Canon Hugh Wybrew offers an overview of the major events of the past 20 centuries which have resulted in the multi-faceted Christian […]
These are difficult days for Christians in the Middle East. In many parts of the region, Christians are facing tremendous challenges and even life-threatening situations. In Egypt, last summer we saw how Christians became scapegoats for Islamists when they were forced out of power. Still today, petty criminals plot to seize Christian lands and properties in rural areas of Upper […]
Millions of viewers of Christian TV broadcaster SAT-7 live in the eye of the storms that are currently engulfing the Middle East. Among them are large numbers watching from Iraq and an enthusiastic audience in the small Christian community in Gaza. As a Christian broadcaster, committed to strengthening the Middle East Church, SAT-7 has been seeking to support these viewers, […]
Article 5 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement International pressure secured the safe release of Meriam Ibrahim when she faced the death penalty in Sudan for her faith. But mishandled public campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians can cause more harm than good. A Middle East writer outlines the pitfalls to avoid. We all followed the distressing trial […]
Article 1 in a new series: The Ethics of Global Engagement A Middle East contributor highlights some of the issues we need to be mindful of as we engage with the church in the Middle East and North Africa. The Body of Christ is not simply a local church that meets on Sundays, but a global body of all those […]
An arduous journey and close surveillance faced the wise men who came seeking the birth of Jesus. Traditionally thought to be Persians, their challenges are echoed in the monitoring and risks faced by Iranians who celebrate Christ’s birth today. Everyone who has ever watched or taken part in a Nativity play knows that some of the first people to recognise […]
On Sunday 8th September, Middle East Christian broadcaster SAT-7 aired footage of Egyptians worshipping in the remains of the Evangelical Church of Beni Mazar. Located in the town of Minia, Upper Egypt, it was one of over 80 Egyptian churches targeted in violent attacks during August. This special episode aired as part of the SAT-7 programme, My Church. Dark smears […]
Iran has a remarkably young and educated population, but an oppressive regime and crumbling economy offer them scant hope for the future. Yet their search for meaning and purpose gives many a deep spiritual thirst. In common with many Middle Eastern countries, Iran has more young people than any other age group. Over 60 per cent of the nation’s 79 […]
“The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church,” wrote the second-century Church Father, Tertullian. From that time onward, the idea has persisted that churches – and individual Christians – grow most when the pressure is highest. But do they? Our writer says there is another side to this story and telling only one side risks harming those who […]