In Myanmar, Christians make up about 8.2 percent of the population. The overwhelming majority of these are Protestants, with Roman Catholics comprising most of the rest; there is, however, a small community of Armenian Orthodox Christians. The Armenian Apostolic Church severed communion with the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople in 451. Here the BBC presents a fascinating look into their community in Myanmar.
For more ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Myanmar, see here.
“At least 29 Christians, including children, killed following airstrike on IDP camp in Myanmar, Open Doors, October 17, 2023:
Thousands of people in Myanmar, including Christians, have fled their homes and are in IDP camps because of the country’s ongoing conflict
At least 29 Christians, including children, have been tragically killed in an airstrike on a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Myanmar. An additional 56 people were wounded in the incident, which occurred earlier this month in the Christian-majority state of Kachin. The military are believed to be responsible; those who fled the attacks are now stranded in the forests as the shelling continues.
Since the 2021 military coup that has deepened Myanmar’s long-running civil war, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, sometimes more than once. One third of the population is now in need of humanitarian aid, with two million people internally displaced.
Three deacons killed
As this latest incident shows, Christians are often caught in the crossfire between the army and multiple resistance groups. They are also at risk of being targeted by both sides who suspect them of supporting the opposition, even though in many cases they are involved with neither.
In July, the army kidnapped and tortured three deacons and a pastor from a church in Chin state, accusing the church of supporting one of the armed groups. Whilst the pastor managed to escape, the deacons are believed to have died….
