IRAN -- Authorities Arrest Two Christians at Christmas Gathering

On Dec. 17, security police and undercover officers attacked a Christmas gathering of more than 70 newly converted Christians in the city of Karaj, Iran, according to Farsi Christian News.
Read the full story here

IRAN - Church Closed

The Central Assemblies of God Church has been forced to close down its regular Friday afternoon services and can only hold two services on Sundays, Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reported.
Read the full story here

Church forced to close main worship services in Tehran, Iran

The interior of the Central Church Photo from FCNN

Rev. Sourik, overseer of the Assemblies of God Churches in Iran, announced on October 30 at the Central Church in Tehran that, under extreme pressure from the Ministry of Information, the church has been forced to shut down their two Friday services. From now on, he stated, services would only be held on Sundays in two shifts. Revolutionary Guards had reportedly threatened to close the church completely if the Friday services were not cancelled.

This announcement came as a great shock to the congregation. Many wept openly. Throughout the Middle East, Christians gather for worship on Friday as many have the day off. The believers of this church, which has been holding two Friday services since the 1960s, will find it difficult to attend Sunday services as Sunday is not a day off for many, as it is in the West.

Pray for the members of the Central Church in Tehran as they are forced to switch their services to Sunday. Pray that believers will find a way to attend the services. Pray that many Iranians will continue to find Christ through the lives and witness of His people in this nation of closed doors but open hearts.

For more reports on the struggles the Iranian church faces, click here. Show your solidarity for suffering Iranian believers by posting a prayer on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Government Orders Tehran Church to Stop Some Services

Farsi Christian News Network reports that a church in Tehran has cut the number of its services to avoid being completely shut down by authorities. On Friday, the Central Assemblies of God Church cut its Friday services and announced that only its two Sunday services will continue, despite the church's position as the largest public gathering of Iranian Christians. Security from the Ministry of Information has reportedly put extreme pressure on the church, saying they would personally close the church if they refused to comply by the end of October. Rev. Soorik, the bishop and overseer of the Assemblies of God Churches in Iran, said he reportedly made the decision to protect the security and well-being of the church's members and visitors.

Update: Further charges brought against Iranian prisoners

There have been significant developments in the past week regarding Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), who have been imprisoned in Tehran, Iran for their Christian faith since March. When the women were brought before the Revolutionary Court in early August and ordered to recant their faith, they refused and were sent back to prison (click here for more details).

On October 7, Maryam and Marzieh were unexpectedly taken back to the Revolutionary Court and three charges were brought against them: anti-state activity, propagation of Christianity, and apostasy (i.e. leaving Islam). The judge then acquitted them of the charge of anti-state activity. Because this charge has been dropped, their case will now be transferred to a general court where the other charges will be considered.

Continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh as they are now back in prison, awaiting their next hearing. Pray for their health as they have been denied proper medical treatment apart from care Maryam received for severe food poisoning. Pray that they will continue to shine the light of Christ among their fellow prisoners. Pray that all charges will be dropped and that they will be released soon.

Iranian Judge Charges Women Converts with Apostasy

ASSIST News Service reports that an Iranian judge has charged two Christian women with apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith. Maryam Rustampoor, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, were unexpectedly taken before the court on Oct. 7. The women have been held in Evin Prison since March 5. "In a positive development, their case has now been transferred from the revolutionary court to the regular courts after the judge dropped the earlier charge of anti-state activities. Maryam, Marzieh and their lawyer are pleased with this development," said a spokesperson for International Christian Concern. In an interview with the Voice of America Persian News Network, Maryam and Marzieh's lawyer said, "My clients are not prepared to lie about their faith under any condition."

Iran: Imprisoned Christian Women Seriously Ill

Voice of the Martyrs reports that two female converts held in Evin Prison continue to suffer declining health. Maryam Rustampoor, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, have been imprisoned for more than six months and suffer from sore throats, irregular painful stomach aches and intense headaches. "Both have lost much weight during their ordeal, because of their sicknesses and lack of nutrition," officials from Elam Ministries said. "Marzieh's tooth infection is only being treated by painkillers." Officials added that if the tooth infection spreads Marzieh's health status could become critical. Maryam and Marzieh are being held in Evin prison, a notoriously harsh institution. The prison is overcrowded, has limited medical facilities, and many prisoners are reportedly sick, causing a high risk for spreading viruses. The women have refused to recant their faith in court.

Detained Female Converts Not Forgotten Outside Iran

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Iranian womenabroad plan to show their support for two femaleChristian converts who remain jailed in Iran. Women dressed in white will be gathering outside the Iranian embassy in London this Saturday as part of a prayer vigil to highlight the plight of Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30. The two female Christian converts from Islam who have been held at Evin Prison inTeheran without charge for the last six months. Neither woman has committed a crime under Iranian or international law. At a hearing at Tehran's Revolutionary Court on Sunday, 9 August, both women refused to recant their faith after being ordered to do so. They were subsequently returned to their cells, where their health is now rapidly deteriorating due to the overcrowded conditions and limited facilities.