{"id":41616,"date":"2022-03-22T13:04:35","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T04:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=41616"},"modified":"2022-03-29T11:27:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T02:27:36","slug":"vomk-report-197","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2022\/03\/22\/vomk-report-197\/","title":{"rendered":"RUSSIA: NEW LAW CAUSES PASTORS TO MULL RISKS OF SPEAKING, PRAYING ABOUT UKRAINE"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”41603″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”A call for national repentance from more than 400 Russian church and seminary leaders was posted on a small Russian Christian website, then quickly removed. A Russian lawyer instructed Russian churches via Facebook how to avoid trouble when they pray for peace during their worship services. A popular Russian pastor assured Russian Christians that private prayers to God to end the war are sufficient fulfillment of their spiritual responsibilities.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][vc_column_text]According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr<\/span>.<\/span> Hyun Sook Foley, these three examples <\/span>from this month <\/span>illustrate how <\/span>Russia\u2019s new law, <\/span>A<\/span>rticle 20.3.3<\/span>,<\/span> is<\/span> causing Russian pastors to \u201ccount the cost\u201d before <\/span>speaking or <\/span>even <\/span>praying publicly about their country\u2019s actions in Ukraine<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley\u2019s organization operates \u201c<\/span><\/span>\u0413\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0441<\/span><\/span> \u041c\u0443\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u043a\u043e\u0432<\/span><\/span> \u2013 <\/span><\/span>\u041a\u043e\u0440\u0435\u044f<\/span><\/span>\u201d, a Russian language edition of its popular Facebook page on Christian persecution, with 12,000 followers from across the Russian-speaking world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley <\/span>says some Russian Christians are <\/span>sharing their prayers for Ukraine and their concerns about <\/span>Russia\u2019s actions in Ukraine<\/span>, not only on Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u2019s Facebook page, but inside Russia itself. B<\/span>ut <\/span>she says <\/span>a law enacted March 4<\/span>, which <\/span>criminalizes <\/span>what the law calls <\/span>\u201c<\/span>public actions aimed at discredit<\/span>ing<\/span> the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation<\/span>\u201d<\/span>, is causing Russian Christians to mull the risks of speaking according to their conscience.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”41611″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”File footage from 2021 of Russian pastors discussing a building seizure of a local church congregation. Russian Christians have been dealing with a growing number of restrictions on property use, evangelism, contact with foreign missionaries, and, now, speaking out about Russian activities in Ukraine.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]But <\/span>400 <\/span>Russian <\/span>Baptist and Pentecostal church and seminary leaders <\/span>went well beyond <\/span>calling for prayers for peace<\/span> in <\/span>a<\/span>n open letter <\/span>earlier this month <\/span>entitled \u201c<\/span>Appeal to Compatriots”<\/span>. The <\/span>full text of the <\/span>appeal,<\/span> which was <\/span>posted briefly on <\/span>the website of <\/span>a small Christian publish<\/span>ing <\/span>company in St. Petersburg<\/span> before being removed<\/span>,<\/span> apparently voluntarily, <\/span>follows:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I will say about a nation and a kingdom that I will destroy it; but if this people turn from their evil deeds, I will put off the evil that I thought to do to them\u201d (Jer. 18: 7-8).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear compatriots!\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our army is conducting full-scale military operations in another country, dropping bombs and rockets on the cities of our neighboring Ukraine. As believers, we assess what is happening as a grave sin of fratricide – the sin of Cain, who raised his hand against his brother Abel.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No political interests or goals can justify the death of innocent people. Old men, women, children are dying. Soldiers on both sides are dying, cities and infrastructure are being destroyed. In addition to military targets, shells and bombs destroy hospitals, civilian buildings and residential buildings. Many people have become refugees, the war zones are on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to bloodshed, the invasion of sovereign Ukraine encroaches on the freedom of self-determination of its citizens. Hatred is being sown between our peoples, which will create an abyss of alienation and enmity for generations to come. The war is destroying not only Ukraine, but also Russia – its people, its economy, its morality, its future.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scriptures call us to \u201ckeep our hands from evil and seek the ways of peace\u201d and warn that \u201cthe one who sows evil will reap it.\u201d If we really want to rely on spiritual values, now it is extremely important to listen to the words of Jesus Christ: “Put your sword in your sheath, for he who takes the sword by the sword will perish.” It is also said: \u201cJudgment on bad deeds is not quickly done; hence the heart of the sons of men does not fear to do evil.\u201d But God’s judgment is impartial and inevitable.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today the moment has come when each of us must call a spade a spade. While we still have a chance to avoid punishment from above and prevent the collapse of our country. We need to repent for what we have done, first of all before God, and then before the people of Ukraine. We must give up lies and hatred. We call on the authorities of our country to stop this senseless bloodshed!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ministers of Evangelical Churches in Russia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”41612″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”A scene from the 2018 movie, Tortured for Christ, which details efforts by Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand, to evangelize Russian soldiers sent to his country during the Soviet era. \u201cIn many ways, these days it feels like we are back in the earliest days of Voice of the Martyrs,\u201d says Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr. Hyun Sook Foley.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that the letter appears to no longer be <\/span>accessible <\/span>on any <\/span>Russian website, but her organization is <\/span>seeking to spread the letter widely, in Russian as well as by translation<\/span> in<\/span>to<\/span> Korean, Chinese, and English<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>We are spreading the letter <\/span>not <\/span>to <\/span>advocat<\/span>e<\/span> a <\/span>particular <\/span>political position,\u201d she says. \u201c<\/span>We are spreading the letter in order to <\/span>prevent the voice of our Russian Christian brothers and sisters from falling silent<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Still, <\/span>she notes, silence is <\/span>also a part of the <\/span>Russian <\/span>church\u2019s faithful witness<\/span> at the moment<\/span>. \u201cThere are two kinds of silence<\/span> churches <\/span>may <\/span>undertake<\/span>,\u201d she says. \u201cThere is the silence <\/span>which comes from <\/span>fear<\/span>, which is a sin<\/span>. But there is also the silence of prayer<\/span>, which is essential to the church\u2019s ministry<\/span>. One popular Russian pastor<\/span> wrote on his Facebook page <\/span>this month <\/span>that Russian <\/span>Protestants <\/span>are <\/span>such a small minority that they are <\/span>unlikely to be able to change their country\u2019s <\/span>actions in Ukraine <\/span>through protest marches or public statements, but <\/span>he says <\/span>they should not underestimate the power of appealing to God <\/span>through <\/span>silent <\/span>prayer. \u2018<\/span>War can be stopped by God,<\/span>\u2019<\/span> he said. <\/span>\u2018<\/span>That\u2019s why we cry out to him.<\/span>\u2019<\/span> That\u2019s something <\/span>no law <\/span>can prohibit.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”41608″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Russia\u2019s new law, Article 20.3.3, is causing Russian pastors to \u201ccount the cost\u201d before speaking or even praying publicly about their country\u2019s actions in Ukraine. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Voice of the Martyrs Korea has <\/span>been sending <\/span>emergency <\/span>financial <\/span>support <\/span>to <\/span>Ukrainian<\/span>, <\/span>Polish<\/span>,<\/span> and Moldovan churches <\/span>ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of <\/span>Ukrain<\/span>ian Christian<\/span>s and Christian<\/span> refugees<\/span> during the <\/span>current <\/span>conflict<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]But <\/span>Representative Foley says that<\/span> her organization\u2019s primary and longest-standing commitment is to<\/span> equip Christians to make a faithful witness where<\/span>ver<\/span> they are silenced or persecuted. \u201c<\/span>Helping Russian Christians carry out a faithful underground Christian witness is <\/span>how <\/span>Voice of the Martyrs <\/span>began more than 60 years ago<\/span>. Our worldwide founder, Romanian pastor Richard <\/span>Wurmbrand<\/span>, smuggled Bibles and gospel tracts to Russian soldiers who had been sent to Romania.<\/span> I<\/span>n many ways, <\/span>t<\/span>hese days it <\/span>feels <\/span>like we are <\/span>back in the earliest days of Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>W<\/span>e have many more <\/span>Russian language <\/span>training <\/span>resources on <\/span>book, website, and social media<\/span> than <\/span>our founder Romanian pastor Richard <\/span>Wurmbrand<\/span> did when <\/span>VOM first <\/span>started. <\/span>But the one thing that hasn\u2019t changed<\/span> is that Russian Christians <\/span>are still <\/span>willing<\/span> to risk everything <\/span>in order to<\/span> be faithful witnesses for Jesus<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Individuals interested in learning more about Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u2019s underground training partnerships with Russian Christians can visit <\/span>www.vomkorea.com\/en\/project\/russia-ministry\/<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Individuals interested in donating to the Ukraine Christian Emergency Relief project <\/span>can give at <\/span>www.vomkorea.com\/en\/donation<\/a><\/span> or via electronic transfer to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uad6d\ubbfc\uc740\ud589<\/span> (KB Bank) 463501-01-243303<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc608\uae08\uc8fc<\/span> (Account Holder): (<\/span>\uc0ac<\/span>)<\/span>\uc21c\uad50\uc790\uc758\uc18c\ub9ac<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please include the word \u201cUkraine\u201d with the donation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”41603″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”A call for national repentance from more than 400 Russian church and seminary leaders was posted on a small Russian Christian website, then quickly removed. A Russian …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":41626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[857,235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-russian-special","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41616\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}