Preeti and her husband have demonstrated the courage that all Orthodox Christians should cultivate. Their story is reminiscent of numerous accounts of the saints and martyrs. Saint Barbara the Great Martyr was tortured and ultimately beheaded for refusing to renounce her faith. The Holy Great Martyr Marina was likewise tortured with astounding savagery and ultimately killed for the same steadfastness. There are innumerable other examples. Let us remember the words of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “Our victory through Christ Jesus was promised to us, most especially when persecuted for righteousness and because of His name. At this very moment, we remember His words: ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…’ (Matthew 5:11-12).”
“Indian Couple Beaten After Leaving ‘Old Gods’ for Jesus,” by Robert Kenna, Open Doors, August 28, 2018:
Preeti and her husband were tied up with ropes and brutally beaten by neighbors in their community for one simple reason:
They refused to reject their Christian faith and participate in a local ritual.
When Preeti and her husband told the people in their village that they didn’t want to participate in the ritual because they had left their old gods and found Jesus—it stirred up anger within the community.
The couple reports that a group of 30 to 40 men from the village gathered and chased Preeti and her husband with spears, sticks and swords. At one point, they tried to rape Preeti—partially tearing her clothes—before she escaped….
“Somehow God saved me that day,” Preeti shares with an Open Doors partner. Later, Preeti’s husband also made it safely to the pastor’s house, but he sustained many injuries and is still recovering….
