An Iranian-Armenian Christian leader has been sentenced to ten years in prison for promoting “propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam” through the house church he operated in his home.
The 60-year-old believer, Anooshavan Avedian, was arrested in August 2020 and released on bail a month later, along with two converts to Christianity.
In addition to the ten-year prison sentence handed down last month, Anooshavan faces an additional ten years of “deprivation of social rights” after his release, which carries various restrictions – including the type of employment he will be permitted.
The other two released Christians, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi were not sentenced to prison but were given the same ten-year deprivation term, along with a two-year ban on international travel. For a duration of two years, each of these believers are not allowed to live in Tehran, nor in its neighbouring provinces, and they also must not hold a membership to any political or social group. All three Christians are appealing their sentences.
Sources: Article18, International Christian Concern, Middle East Concern
Please Pray
- Pray for Anooshavan as he presently serves time in custody. Ask God to grant him needed grace and strength. Pray he will serve as a vibrant witness of Christ’s compassion to prison guards and fellow inmates.
- Uphold Abbas and Maryam who must now leave their homes and communities. Pray that they will receive the help and encouragement they need, as well as opportunities to develop friendships in the new places where they must live.
- Pray that each of their appeals will be successful. Prayerfully remember Christians throughout Iran who seek to shine the light of Jesus in their darkened nation.
God help these courageous people. Overrule the sentences in Your time and grant them grace and courage. I want to shine like them.
Our God and sovereign Lord, we pray for Anooshavan as he presently serves time in custody. We ask you to grant him much needed grace and strength.
Help him to count it all joy at the many and varied trials that he faces because of his faith. We ask that he will serve as a vibrant and effective witness of Christ’s compassion to prison guards and fellow inmates. We pray for conversions due to his life and witness.
Lord and Heavenly Father, we also uphold Abbas and Maryam who must now leave their homes and communities. Pray that they will receive the help and encouragement they need, as well as opportunities to develop friendships in the new places where they must live. Minister to each one by the power and wisdom of your Holy Spirit and help them to continue to fruitfully serve you.
Father, judgement in in your hands and so we pray that each of their appeals will be successful. Give their defence team wisdom and grace in dealing with the magistrates and officials.
Finally, we prayerfully remember Christians throughout Iran who seek to shine the light of Jesus in their darkened nation. We bless and thank you for the faithfulness of each one. Help us to help them by pour prayers and offerings.