Since the downfall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has been a bastion of religious freedom in Eastern Europe. But with the invasion by the totalitarian Russian regime, which threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty, this freedom could wither away. As believers, we need to provide measured support Ukraine in their fight for independence so that religious freedom may thrive.
Russia has had a long history of religious persecution, and while the repression affects every faith, Russia’s main target has been Christianity. Vladimir Lenin, the father of the USSR wrote about how religion was poison to the people, and “there is nothing more abominable than religion.” Lenin and later Soviet leaders Stalin, and Khrushchev all led campaigns against established religion, which burned churches, imprisoned priests, and drove Christians out of the country. Khrushchev infamously stated that Christians would become extinct when he was done with them. This persecution did not end when the USSR was abolished in 1990. In 2017, the Russian Nation named Jehovah’s Witnesses as “extremists” and outlawed the practice of their religion. The Russian government under Vladimir Putin has made Christian evangelism very difficult, and has enacted training regulations on pastors and priests that demand they become recertified by a “centralized religious organization.”
Religious persecution on that scale is unfathomable to many American Christians. But to Andrei, a Russian youth pastor now living in the Twin Cities, persecution was a part of daily life. He recounts a time, before he moved to the United States, when his youth ministry was raided by police and his student’s held hostage. The persecution didn’t stop there, however. Andrei’s children were under subtle threat as well. He says, “They couldn’t directly make threats about my kids, but they would make hints about getting my kids hooked on drugs, and I felt that they were threatening both of my kids.” Sadly, this is a common occurrence in modern Russia, and as they seek to expand their borders, their anti-religious ideology follows.
In 2014, as Russia invaded Crimea, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported several violations of religious freedoms, especially towards people with Muslim beliefs. They began to repress peaceful religious activities in a territory that is claimed by Ukraine. As the Russian machine slowly moves across Eastern Europe, religious persecution follows.
Faith thrives in difficult circumstances. As Russian forces march through Ukraine and enemy missiles devastate towns, Ukrainian believers are staying behind to resist and pray. These incredibly brave people include Yuriy Kulakevych, the foreign affairs director of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, who said, “I and all ministers stay in Kyiv. We continue our intercessory prayers, talk to people to reduce panic, and help those in need.” These brave believers are truly in the lion’s den, and they need our prayers and support.
The Bible reminds us that “indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV).” It is inevitable that persecution will continue, but as Christians we should actively support fellow believers who may have to face down lions. Believers in Ukraine will face great difficulty in their future, but by God’s grace may they stand strong in their faith. When we support Ukraine with our prayers and deeds, we are supporting religious freedom.
