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On March 20, Eritrean police launched an investigation into the activities of a group of young adults involved in a renewal movement within the Eritrean Orthodox Church. According to Compass sources, the office in downtown Asmara where the group met on Sunday afternoons was sealed by police and the lay leader was arrested but then released the next day.
The renewal movement, known as Medhane Alem, functions as a Sunday School for young adults. The Orthodox priest leading the movement is under investigation but not yet arrested. When the group gathered at a new location on March 21, two security officers video taped the meeting, claiming it was ordered by the president's office.
Evangelical Christians in Eritrea have faced terrible persecution since the government outlawed all but four religions with "historical existence" in the country in May 2002. The April edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features Eritrea. To subscribe to this free newsletter, click here.
For more information on Eritrea, click here.
Pray that the Christians in Eritrea will be able to withstand the pressure placed on them by the government as well as the Orthodox Church. Pray that they will be a bold witness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray also that there will be freedom in Eritrea to worship the Lord in spirit and truth.