Maryam and Marzieh

I promised a year ago to write about persecuted Christians in 2009 but have failed to do so. There is just time to mention Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh who were released from prison in November 2009. For almost nine months these two Iranian Christian women had been held in Evin prison in Tehran for refusing to deny their faith.

Originally arrested on 5 March 2009, Maryam and Marzieh were charged with anti-government activities. However, it became clear that apostasy (conversion from Islam to Christianity) was the reason for their arrest. Taken before a Revolutionary Court hearing on 9 August, Maryam and Marzieh were commanded to recant their faith in return for freedom, but refused to deny their Lord.

(Acknowledgements to Open Doors USA and Graham Weeks)

Paying the Price

In 2009 I intend to run an occasional series of postings about modern martyrs. In deference to the season of goodwill and peace this first posting will tell the story of someone who did not pay the ultimate price for his faith. Pastor Wally Magdangal was sentenced to death by hanging on 25 December 1992 for “blaspheming Islam”. A Filipino national, he had led a secret house church in Riyadh. He was kept in solitary confinement and tortured, but finally released and deported on the day he was due to be hanged. His release is a testimony to the effectiveness of international appeals.

I wish all readers the blessings of health and happiness in 2009.