FrontPage MagazineThe Orthodox Christian Church, which is reclaiming its traditional role in post-Soviet Russia, has just described its government’s fight against the Islamic State and other jihadi groups in Syria as a “holy war.”According to Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Church’s Public Affairs Department, The fight with terrorism is a holy battle and today our country … [Read more...]
On Refugees, Be ‘Wise as Serpents’
This article was written for RaymondIbrahim.com by Ralph Sidway, an Orthodox Christian researcher and writer, and author of Facing Islam: What the Ancient Church has to say about the Religion of Muhammad. He operates the Facing Islam blog.The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has announced it will help migrants who have arrived in Bulgaria, but has urged authorities not to let any … [Read more...]
Coptic Christian Mother ‘Thanks’ ISIS Slaughterers of Son
The mother of Kyrillos (Cyrus), one of the 21 Coptic Christians recently butchered by the Islamic State in Libya, said in a recent interview that she forgives the Muslim murderers of her son -- since he is now "with his Lord" -- and prays that they see the light and turn from evil.Said the mother of the 22-year-old martyr -- one of the many Copts who testified the name of … [Read more...]
Resurgent Russia: The Hope of Persecuted Christians
By Ralph H. Sidway, guest contributorScarcely a day goes by now where we do not read of yet another in a constellation of initiatives being undertaken by both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian government on behalf of persecuted Christians and other victims in Syria, Egypt, and elsewhere in the world.For instance, on July 31 it was announced that a charitable drive … [Read more...]
Islam’s Iconoclasm and the War Against Christians
by Ralph Sidway, guest contributorOne of the great sorrows — after the church attacks, murders, abductions, rapes and forced conversions — caused by the Islamic persecution of Christians must be the defilement of holy icons by Muslims. Indeed, it is highly probable that the iconoclast heresy which rocked Christianity in the seventh through the ninth centuries was triggered … [Read more...]