Recent Passing of Imprisoned Church Leader

Reverend Ghirmay Araya was one of the founders of the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea. Under the country's oppressive regime, the denomination was banned in 2002 and its senior leaders were imprisoned in 2004. Over the decades since, thousands of other Eritreans have been imprisoned for their faith, often enduring torture and inhumane treatment.

Even though semi-retired, Reverend Ghirmay was rearrested in July 2021 and detained without charge at a maximum-security facility in Asmara. It was recently announced that, after spending almost three years in detention, Reverend Ghirmay passed away in prison at the age of 83. It was said that he "endured his suffering with steadfast faith." The pastor leaves behind five children and 13 grandchildren.

One of Reverend Ghirmay's sons, Samuel, has also been imprisoned because of his ministry as a Lutheran pastor. Though the father and son had been detained in the same facility, they were never able to visit one other. Sources also state that prison officials did not inform Samuel of his father's passing. The imprisoned son is presently being held in a metal shipping container – a notoriously inhumane practice where prisoners are forced to suffer extreme desert temperatures and unsanitary conditions.

Dr. Berhane Asmelash from Release Eritrea continues to express concerns about the hundreds of other Christians who are presently imprisoned in the country, some of whom are being held in the same facility where Reverend Ghirmay died. "Many are getting on in age and suffer from various health conditions," he wrote. Most of these detained believers are being held without charge, and some have been in custody for as long as 20 years. For other reports on the persecution of Christians in Eritrea, go to our country report.

Prayerfully uphold the family of this beloved saint as they mourn his passing. May they be wonderfully comforted by the assurance that Reverend Ghirmay is now in the glorious presence of his Saviour. Also pray for greatly needed physical and spiritual fortitude on behalf of his son Samuel and the many other Eritrean followers of Jesus who remain incarcerated because of their faith. May God work mightily in this nation so that Eritrea's governing leaders would end their intense persecution of the country's Christians, release all those who are currently being arbitrarily detained, and put policies into place that will respect the rights of all Eritrean citizens.