Byzantine Period Church With Beautiful Mosaics Discovered

ScienceDaily (Mar. 20, 2009): A church that dates to the Byzantine period which is paved with breathtakingly beautiful mosaics and a dedicatory inscription was exposed in an archaeological excavation the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting near Moshav Nes-Harim, 5 kilometers east of Bet Shemesh (at the site of Horvat A-Diri), in the wake of plans to enlarge the moshav.

According to archaeologist Daniel Ein Mor, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The site was surrounded by a small forest of oak trees and is covered with farming terraces that were cultivated by the residents of Nes-Harim. Prior to the excavation we discerned unusually large quantities of pottery sherds from the Byzantine period and thousands of mosaic tesserae that were scattered across the surface level”.

The excavation seems to have revealed the very center of the site, which extends across an area of approximately 15 dunams, along the slope of a spur that descends toward Nahal Dolev.

During the first season of excavation (November 2008) the church’s narthex (the broad entrance at the front of the church’s nave) was exposed in which there was a carpet of polychrome mosaics that was adorned with geometric patterns of intertwined rhomboids separated by flower bud motifs. Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the excavation this mosaic was defaced and almost completely destroyed by unknown vandals. During that excavation season a complex wine press was partly exposed that consists of at least two upper treading floors and elongated, well-plastered arched cells below them that were probably meant to facilitate the preliminary fermentation there of the must. Part of the main work surface, which was paved with large coarse tesserae, was exposed at the foot of these cells. A complex wine press of this kind is indicative of a wine making industry at the site; this find is in keeping with the presence here of a church and is consistent with
our knowledge about Byzantine monasteries in the region during this period (sixth-seventh centuries CE).

Other parts of the church were revealed in the current excavation season. The area of the apse was almost entirely exposed, as were other parts of the southern aisle.
Two rooms that are adjacent to the northern and southern sides of the church were also uncovered. In the southern room a mosaic pavement was exposed that is decorated with intertwined patterns of different size concentric circles. The mosaic also includes a dedicatory inscription written in ancient Greek that was deciphered by Dr. Leah Di Signi of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem:

O Lord God of saint Theodorus, protect Antonius and Theodosia the illustres (illustres - a title used to distinguish high nobility in the Byzantine period) [- - - ] Theophylactus and John the priest (or priests). [Remember o Lord] Mary and John who have offe[red - - ] in the 6th indiction. Lord, have pity of Stephen.

Various phases that were used after the church was abandoned in the later part of the Byzantine period were discerned elsewhere in the structure. The mosaic floor was completely destroyed in different places and the area inside the church was put to secondary use. Industrial installations that are ascribed to the same phase were found which attest to the functional change the building underwent during the end of the Byzantine period-beginning of the Early Islamic period (seventh century CE).

According to Daniel Ein Mor, “We know of other Byzantine churches and sites that are believed to be Byzantine monasteries, which are located in the surrounding region. The excavation at Nes-Harim supplements our knowledge about the nature of the Christian-Byzantine settlement in the rural areas between the main cities in this part of the country during the Byzantine period, among them Bet Guvrin, Emmaus and Jerusalem”.
____________ _________ _________ __

Adapted from materials provided by Israel Antiquities Authority.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090315114041.htm

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin participates in the WCC Commission on International Affairs

Mar 22, 2009: The World Conference of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs was held in the Theological Seminary of Matanzas, Cuba, from March 14 to 20. During the meeting several issues regarding political and economic relations during this time of financial crisis were discussed.

Economists and theologians participated in the discussion presenting the current global situation as well as stressing the aspects of the importance of church’s role in that process. They also proposed opportunities for inter-faith cooperation. During the meeting, regional and thematic discussions were also held.
Ms. Tsovinar Ghazarian, coordinator of educational programs for the Armenian Round Table Foundation and a member of the WCC Commission on International Affairs, represented the Armenian Church in the meeting with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

by Press Office
Source:http://www.armenianchurch.ca/

Malankara Orthodox Church recognize H.E. Severius Mushe Görgün as bishop of Europe

March 20, 2009: The Holy Episcopal Synod of Malankara Orthodox Church held in Feb 2009, decided to recognize H.E. Severius Mushe Görgün, as the Primate of the Church, with the title Archbishop of the Independent Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Europe. This recognition for Severius Mushe Görgün came after a delay of more than a year, mostly due to the continued dispute in the Malankara Orthodox Church over the validity of his consecration.

It was in 2007 Severius Mushe Görgün, an excommunicated monk of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, was ordained as bishop by two Malankara (Indian) Orthodox bishops with the silent support of their Metropolitan of American Diaspora, which was at that time a matter of great controversy since the ordination was said to be held secretly and against the constitution of the Church. Consequently the Holy Synod of Malankara Orthodox Church warned the two bishops, but no further actions against these bishops were taken under pressure from a sizeable section of the Church. However the official recognition of Severius Mushe Görgün got delayed due to doubt over the legality of his ordination.

Before the bishop consecration, Severius Mushe Görgün, a monk of the Syrian Orthodox Church was under suspension due to his anti-Church activities. Later he came in contact with two bishops of the rival Malankara Orthodox Church who later elevated him as a bishop for the ‘Independent Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Europe’ in a ceremony held in India. It is alleged that this ordination was held by the Malankara Orthodox bishops with the aim of creating a rebel Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese in Europe which led to his official excommunication from the parent Syrian Orthodox Church. However his mission in Europe has not became a success as he could not get much acceptance from the Syrian Orthodox community in Europe.

The disputes between the two divisions of the Oriental Orthodox Church of India, viz; the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as Indian Orthodox Church) and the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church (also known as Jacobite Syrian Church), has a history of almost 100 years. Over the century there are many instances of primates switching loyalties from one Church to other. The beginning of Malankara Syrian Catholic Church is attributed to one such bishop who switched loyalty in 1930’s. Even now the two Oriental Orthodox Churches in India, with lot of similarities are in severe bottleneck over many issues. Both the Churches are headed by independent Catholicates with 25 odd bishops for each party.

H.E. Severius Mushe Görgün is now based in Europe administering the small congregation supported by him. Now with the official approval of the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Church he has became part of this wing of the Indian Church. Though the designation that Severius Mushe Görgün uses is the Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Europe, the congregation he leads has no connection with the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch or India.

Raj Jos, India

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ASSISTS THE MID-LENT SUNRISE SERVICE AT SAINT NESHAN CHURCH OF THE DIOCESE OF LEBANON

March 18, 2009: According to the tradition the Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian and the Members of the Church Council invited His Holiness Aram I to preside over the Mid-Lent Sunrise Service at the Saint Neshan Church of the Diocese in Beirut. The students of the seminary who accompanied His Holiness did the singing.

At the end of the Service Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian welcomed the Catholicos on behalf of the Diocese and its leadership for this Pastoral visit, which indicated that the whole Church was being resourced spiritually in anticipation of the Holy Feast of Easter.

In his message to the congregation, His Holiness Aram I said that the period of fasting and praying prior to Easter is the human response to Jesus’ words “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 9:10). Despite the sufferings of the Armenian community in Lebanon for many decades, the leadership and people remained steadfast. New challenges are now touching the lives of the youth. The decision to declare 2009 “The Year of Youth” was taken in order to discern and lead the youth to the “doors” where Jesus’ teachings, the Traditions of the Church and Armenian identity are affirmed and shaped through love, peace and hope. He then invited the Diocese and the faithful to open “doors” to the youth.

After the Service, the faithful were invited to share friendship around coffee and special Lent sweets thanks to the hospitality offered by the Church Council and Women’s Committee.

Turkey, U.S. Play Down Tensions Over Armenia Issue

WASHINGTON (Reuters), Mar 20 2009 -- Seeking to avert tensions during President Barack Obama's visit to Turkey, both sides are playing down potential fallout from a renewed attempt by some U.S. lawmakers to declare the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide.

Ahmet Davutoglu, foreign policy advisor to Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, told reporters on Thursday the issue, which caused U.S.-Turkish relations to plummet in 2007, would not "hijack" Obama's visit early next month.

"Nothing can shadow the success of this visit," Davutoglu told reporters after meeting Obama's national security advisor Jim Jones at the White House. During his 2008 campaign for the White House, Obama referred to the killings of Armenians in World War One as genocide, which Turkey strongly rejects. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton co-sponsored a genocide resolution on Armenia when she was in the Senate.

The reintroduction on Tuesday by several lawmakers of a new resolution in the House of Representatives could complicate Obama's visit and Davutoglu said the issue was discussed in his meeting with Jones.

Asked whether Obama's views might have changed, Davutoglu was noncommittal. "I did not say yes or no," he said. "Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of General Jones, but we went through all these issues in a very friendly and cooperative manner." Recognizing how sensitive the issue could become in U.S.-Turkish relations, the State Department has avoided comment on the resolution or what the Obama administration's policy is on labeling what happened as genocide.

"I don't want to go any further on it until we have had a chance to take a closer look at it and discuss it within the government, and that's where I'm going to leave it," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters on Wednesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked if it was a good time to bring up the Armenian resolution, reiterated her view that genocide occurred. Whether Obama travels to the region or not "does not deny the fact that there was an Armenian genocide, and there are those of us in Congress who will continue to make that point," the California lawmaker told Reuters.

Pelosi's spokesman, Brendan Daly, said he did not know whether the sponsors of the latest resolution had enough support for it to pass in the House but "no one's talking about a vote any time soon." Similar resolutions have been introduced in Congress for years and Pelosi has been a long-time supporter of having Congress declare the killings a genocide. But as speaker, she did not bring the legislation to the floor for a vote in 2007 after pressure by the Bush administration, amid concerns over the sensitivities of NATO ally Turkey.

By Sue Pleming; Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by John O'Callaghan

Source: Assyrian International News Agency: AINA

Seven Bishops Consecrated for Malankara Orthodox Church of India

Kottayam, March 20, 2009: His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of East and supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Church, consecrated on Feb 19th, seven bishops at St. George Orthodox Church, Puthupally near Kottaym in South India. H.H. was assisted by H.B Paulose Mar Milithios, Catholicos designate and all the other bishops. The new bishops are H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos, H.G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, H.G. Joseph Mar Dionysius, H.G. Abraham Mar Epiphanios, H.G. Mathews Mar Themothios, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebios and H.G. Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros.

Among the newly ordained bishops, H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios Metropolitan is appointed as the Metropolitan of the U. K., Europe & Africa Diocese.

Egyptian Copts Campaign to Rebuild Church

March 02, 2009: The Egyptian Orthodox Church – also known as the Coptic Church – has joined a campaign launched by the Coptic Diaspora to obtain permission to rebuild a church in the governorate of Sohag, the Daily News Egypt reported.

“There is legislation that differentiates between Egyptians versus the right to build and/or maintain places of worship. The procedure for Egyptian Muslims to build a new mosque is not in the hands of our president and does not require a
presidential decree,” Youssef Sidhum, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian newspaper Watani told The Media Line.

The church building had collapsed during the lengthy bureaucratic process that a Coptic congregation needs to go through in order to receive permission to maintain churches.

Instead of just going to the local authority, parishioners have to apply to the national security service, which then brings the paperwork To President Hosni Mubarak for approval, Sidhum said.

Mubarak claims to never having denied a request for either the construction or maintenance of a church; this is due to the fact that the security services, which can’t be held accountable, never handed him the papers, Sidhum said.

Friction between the Copts, who constitute some 10 percent of Egypt’s total population of 78 million, and the Muslim majority, is frequent and sometimes violent.

In February 2009, two Coptic writers were arrested at the Cairo Book Fair for handing out bibles. According to the police report, the men were arrested for “defaming Islam.”

Some 95% of all Copts are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is the oldest form of Christianity in Africa and one of the earliest forms of Christianity in the world.

Written by The Media Line Staff

http://www.themedia line.org/ news/news_ detail.asp? NewsID=24423

Pope Returns Church to Russian Orthodox with Message

Sat Mar 7, 2009: VATICAN CITY - The Russian Orthodox church of St. Nicholas in the Italian city of Bari was returned to the custody of the Patriarchate of Moscow during a ceremony held in Bari on March 1, 2009. During the celebration, Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi, archbishop emeritus of Palermo, Italy, read out a Message from the Holy Father.

"The Russian people", says the Pope in his Message, "have never faltered in their love for this great saint who has always supported them through moments of joy and of difficulty. Evidence of this is also to be found in this Russian Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, built at the beginning of last century to house pilgrims who, often on their way to the Holy Land, stopped at Bari, a meeting point between East and West, to venerate the relics of the saint.

"And how can we not recognise", the Holy Father adds, "that this beautiful church reawakens within us a nostalgia for full unity, and upholds our commitment to work for full union among all Christ's disciples?"

In his Message, Benedict XVI also reiterates his best wishes to Kirill, recently-elected as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and calls upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate his ministry.

During the ceremony - which was originally due to have taken place on 6 December 2008, Feast of St. Nicholas of Bari, but was postponed due to the death of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexis II - Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic, consigned the keys of the Orthodox church of St. Nicholas to Dimitry Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation.

Vatican Information Service

Church leaders explore ways to slow Christian exodus from Middle East

Fri Feb 27, 2009: VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The need to find ways to stop the slow, yet steady departure of Christians from the Middle East has come into greater focus recently.

Pope Benedict XVI urged the dwindling Arab Christian minority to patiently persist in its struggle to survive and hold onto its religious and cultural identity when he met with bishops from Iraq, Iran and Turkey who were in Rome for to report on their dioceses early this year.

And he will have many public occasions to reach out and appeal directly to Christians with his proposed visit to the Holy Land May 8-15.

The Christian exodus has become so severe that Iraqi bishops called on the pope to convene a regional synod to address the problem.

In the meantime, conferences were held in Detroit, Lebanon and Rome in February to underline the important role Christians play in Muslim-majority nations.

The Rome gathering organized by the Sant'Egidio Community brought together Christian and Muslim scholars and religious leaders from the Middle East to discuss the value and contribution of the Eastern Christian churches in Arab nations.

One element that emerged from the meeting is that Christians don't belong in the Middle East simply because they've been there since the time of Jesus and are legitimate citizens of Arab nations. Many said they must stay because they possess a unique culture and mindset that help contribute to the building of a more peaceful, democratic nation.

Some said a strong Christian presence could help moderate Muslims counter the rising wave of Islamic extremism sweeping across the region.

Mohammed Sammak, political adviser to Lebanon's grand mufti and a conference participant, said, "The fewer Christians there are, the more (Islamic) fundamentalism rises," fills the void and gains the upper hand; "that is why as a Muslim, I am opposed" to Christians emigrating.

For Christians to disappear from the Middle East would be like "pulling out the threads of a cloth" so that the whole social fabric risks unraveling and dying, he said.

It's a mistake to help Christians leave their respective nations through easier visa procedures and other measures, said Sammak.

When authorities help ease Christian emigration, he said, they are are unwittingly aiding in the elimination of Christians from the Middle East by taking part in "a conspiracy of good faith."

Another danger, he said, is that if Muslim-majority nations do nothing to protect and encourage their Christian minorities to stay, then North American and European countries will think that Islam does not accept or respect Christianity.

If people living abroad see Muslims are unable to live with Christians even when they share the same culture, language and citizenship, he said, "then they'll think, 'so how can we Europeans live with Muslims.'"

Tensions and restrictions against Muslims living in or emigrating to Europe will increase as tensions and violence against Christians continue in the Middle East and vice versa, said Sammak.

Latin-rite Archbishop Jean Sleiman of Baghdad said Christians help preserve peaceful coexistence in a religiously and ethnically diverse society.

Christians possess a unique culture that displays "the willingness to mediate" and, therefore, they "could do so many things because reconstruction (of a war-torn nation) deals above all with souls, culture, mentalities," he told Vatican Radio Feb. 23.

Many participants agreed that large numbers of Christians have been fleeing the Middle East for economic and political motives rather than purely religious reasons.

Participant Bernard Sabella, a Catholic member of the Palestinian parliament and former sociology professor at Catholic-run Bethlehem University in the West Bank, said the exodus of Christians "is related to the global market. So if a young Palestinian -- Christian or Muslim -- can get work in the United States or Dubai, then they will go."

Tarek Mitri, Lebanon's minister of information, said Christians "were victims of their good education" and marketable skills in that they were more likely to be able to choose and provide a better life for themselves and their families by emigrating to where there were more opportunities.

A significant mass exodus began in the 20th century, he said, and those losses were already glaringly apparent in 1964 when Pope Paul VI made the first visit by a pope to the Holy Land since St. Peter.

Mitri said the cultural and economic contribution of Christians have always outweighed their numerical proportion.

Sammak said losing Christians would mean losing the human, cultural, scientific and educational resources they bring to a nation.

Archbishop Sleiman told reporters that while economic and political problems are major reasons for leaving, Christians in countries like Iraq and the Palestinian territories leave out of "fear of Islamic fundamentalism and being legally discriminated against" in an Islamic republic or under Shariah, the religiously based law of Islam.

He said the international community must help Iraq build peace and democracy by guaranteeing "the primacy of law and primacy of nation."

"Many problems will be solved because (a state of) law equals equality and justice," he said.

The Lebanese-born archbishop of Baghdad said he believes it is still possible for the dwindling numbers of Christians to play a role in the rebuilding of their country.

"But it's important churches have to be convinced their role is still important. When I see emigration, I'm not sure Christians still believe their role is important," he said.

Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of Aleppo appealed to Muslim nations and authorities, telling them that their role is "to safeguard Christians. It is up to you. We don't believe our protection can come from outside."

Source: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900918.htm

By Carol Glatz

Pope Shenouda Studies Response to Israeli Television's Offence

Wed Feb 25, 2009: As usual, Coptic Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St.Mark's Church, delivered a sermon full of stinging remarks and thorny issues.

In his sermon on Sunday evening, he called for the quick formation of a committee of civil engineers to inspect the cracks on the walls of the Orthodox Church in Alexandria.

"If the engineers in Alexandria aren't happy, I'll send some of mine from here in Cairo. We won't wait for anything dangerous to happen to the faithful, will we?" he said.

When cheers and applauses went up from the audience, the Pope scolded them saying: "You can't do that. There are no applauses or cheers at Church".

He also called on the church officials to make it easier for disabled and elderly people to enter it, as it was difficult for them to climb the stairs.

The Pope was then asked about his stance on the Israeli television's mockeries of Jesus Christ, especially after Catholic Pope Benedict XVI protested against these mockeries.

Shenouda said he had not heard about them, pointing out that the Church was studying these mockeries and the way to protest at and respond to them.

"By the way, why do you listen to this kind of radio stations?" he asked.

Shenouda also said he had noticed some mistakes in the religious education curriculum for the fourth year of elementary school.

He said such wrong information contradicted the teachings of the Gospels and called for correcting it, as they could have a negative effect on pupils. He also said that he would talk to the minister of education to correct these mistakes.

There was also time for sentimental questions. A 29-year-old girl asked the Pope about her bad luck, as she had not found a husband yet.

"Dont be so upset. Girls used to get married at 15, then at 20. Now they do at 35 and one day they will at 44. You're still young. God will send you a person suitable to your age."

http://www.coptreal.com/ShowSubject.aspx?SID=16374

Orthodox Patriarchs join condemnation of Israel TV - blasphemy

Wednesday, 25th February 2009: A satirical TV show on the Israeli Channel 10 that poked fun at Christians has been condemned by Orthodox Patriarchs.

Patriarchs Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch and all the East for Greek Orthodox, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Antioch and all the East for Syriac Orthodox and Gregory III Laham of Antioch and all the East for Greek Catholic have condemned the Israeli media for causing offence to Christian religious symbols, denouncing the offence of supreme religious values.

Their criticism follows a protest from the Vatican. Although the Israeli Government has also condemned the show, some observers say there is little they can do as the TV station is privately owned.

The broadcast that caused offence was a comedy show that was aiming at the Vatican after the re-admission to the Church of Bishop Williamson, who had apparently denied aspects of the Holocaust.

The spiritual leaders of churches and patriarchs in Damascus denounced in a statement the Israeli deliberate offence of Jesus Christ and Mary the Virgin, and called on Israel to put and end to "low behaviours which harm the feelings of Christians and the humanity as a whole."

Source: http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3973

Undisguised death threats against the Mar Gabriel Monastery

Tue Feb 24, 2009: The harassment and intimidation against the Mar Gabriel Monastery continue and have taken a new impetus. Now the monastery staff is threatened openly in Turkey's largest newspaper: "If the problem is not resolved, blood will be shed here" writes the newspaper Hrriyet.

On Friday, February 20th, an interview was published in the paper version of Turkey's largest newspaper Hrriyet. The interview was done with Kuryakos Ergn, who is chairman of the Mar Gabriel Monastery Foundation and Suleyman Dz, who is the village chief in the village of Eglence.

- We have inherited the land from our ancestors, we will not give it to anyone, if the court does not resolve the issue, there will be killings, there will be great events taking place here, we have lived together here in a thousand years but now they are entrusting themselves with Europe, says Suleyman Dz, village chief in Eglence, referring to the few Assyrians who remain in the area.

The Foundation's chairman of Mar Gabriel Monastery, Kuryakos Ergn, says that the problem must be solved at the local level.

- We want to live like brothers with the Muslims here, the monastery has a long history which has been preserved for thousands of years, it's an unnecessary provocation, we want to solve the problem here in Midyat, in Ankara, not in Europe, says Kuraykos Ergun.

Before the eyes of the Turkish authorities and the police, now open threats have been made several times against the Mor Gabriel Monastery. So far, none of the threats has caused any legal implications.

Click the following link to read original article (Turkish)

http://www.turabdin.downthe.net/pdf/Hurriyet.pdf

Dikran Ego
Freelance Journalist
www.acsatv.com

ERITREA: CHRISTIAN DEATHS MOUNT IN PRISONS

LOS ANGELES, January 21 (Compass Direct News) – Three Christians incarcerated in military prisons for their faith have died in the past four months in Eritrea, including the death on Friday (Jan. 16) of a 42-year-old man in solitary confinement, according to a Christian support organization.

Sources told Open Doors that Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom died at the Mitire Military Confinement center from torture and complications from diabetes. Asgedom was a member of the Church of the Living God in Mendefera.

His death followed the revelation this month of another death in the same prison. Mogos Hagos Kiflom, 37, was said to have died as a result of torture he endured for refusing to recant his faith, according to Open Doors, but the exact date of his death was unknown. A member of Rhema Church, Kiflom is survived by his wife, child and mother.

Incarcerated Christians from throughout Eritrea have been transferred to the Mitire prison in the country's northeast. In 2002 the Eritrean regime outlawed religious activity except that of the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran or Muslim religions.

In October Open Doors learned of the death of Teklesenbet Gebreab Kiflom, 36, who died while imprisoned for his faith at the Wi'a Military Confinement center. He was reported to have died after prison commanders refused to give him medical attention for malaria.

In June 2008, 37-year-old Azib Simon died from untreated malaria as well. Weakened by torture, sources told Compass, Simon contracted malaria only a week before she died.

Together with the deaths this month, the confirmed number of Christians who have died while imprisoned for their faith in Eritrea now totals eight.

Mass Arrests

At the same time, the government of President Isaias Afwerki has stepped up its campaign against churches it has outlawed, earning it a spot on the U.S. Department of State's list of worst violators of religious freedom.

The government arrested 15 members of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Keren on Jan. 11, and before Christmas at least 49 leaders of unregistered churches in Asmara were rounded up over two weeks, Open Doors reported. Last November, 34 members of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Dekemhare were arrested.

Those arrested included members of the Church of the Living God, Medhaniel Alem Revival Group and the Philadelphia, Kale-Hiwot, Rhema, Full Gospel and Salvation by Christ churches, according to Open Doors. The church leaders' names appeared on a government list of 180 people who were taken from their homes and work places.

In the November sweep, authorities arrested 65 members of the Kale-Hiwot Church in the towns of Barentu and Dekemhare, including 17 women. In Keren and Mendefera, 25 members of the Full Gospel Church were arrested, and 20 Christians belonging to the Church of the Living God in Mendefera and Adi-Kuala were arrested.

Church leaders in Eritrea told Open Doors that by mid-December, a total of 2,891 Christians, including 101 women, had been incarcerated for their faith.

On June 8, 2008 Compass learned that eight Christians held at the Adi-uala prison were taken to medical emergency facilities as a result of torture by military personnel at the camp. Eritrean officials have routinely denied religious oppression exists in the country, saying the government is only enforcing laws against unregistered churches.

The government has denied all efforts by independent Protestant churches to register, and people caught worshipping outside the four recognized religious institutions, even in private homes, suffer arrest, torture and severe pressure to deny their faith. The Eritrean Orthodox Church and its flourishing renewal movement has also been subject to government raids.