For background on Orthodox Christianity in China, see here.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in China, see here.
“Police Raided a Mission Center and Detained Christians,” China Aid, November 16, 2023:
(Dazhou, Sichuan Province – November 15, 2023) On the morning of November 9, Elder Li Yingqiang and Pastor Dai Zhichao of Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church travelled to Dazhou city to visit the “good land mission center”. The mission center held a baptism session, holy communion, and a worship service in a hotel conference room. While believers were singing a hymn at around 11:30 A.M., more than ten police officers, national security agents, and staff of religious affairs bureau and civil affairs bureau raided the conference room.
The officials tried to interrupt the worship but backed off after believers asked them to respect the service. They didn’t allow anyone to leave after the service. At around 12:30 P,M, police took thirteen believers to Chaoyang police station, including Elder Li Yingqiang, Pastor Dai Zhichao, and Hou Duoshu, the leader of the mission center. They were taken to the police station’s waiting room. They waited until around 3:00 P.M. when police began to interrogate them and take written statements. Some were released at around 9:00 P.M. Pastor Dai Zhichao, An Yankui, and Wang Yingjie were released after midnight. At the moment, Elder Li Yingqiang and Hou Duoshu are still being detained….
