78-year-old woman arrested in Iran

(Photo by Kok Yeo) 

Iran (MNN) ― A 78-year-old Christian woman was recently arrested in Iran, reports the Voice of the Martyrs, Canada.

The elderly woman, a member of the Church of Saint Luke in Esfahan, was held by police for three days. After several inquiries by church leaders, the woman was allowed to return home.

A reason has yet to be given her arrest. Apostasy seems an unlikely charge, reports VOM, since the woman was born into a Christian family and did not, therefore, convert to Christianity from another religion.

The idea of arresting a 78-year-old for no apparent reason is troubling, but the real concern may lie in the woman's church affiliation. It now appears that established churches are being targeted by authorities, not just house churches, notes VOM.

The ministry reports that "the tightening of Iran's oppressive grip against the Christian community in Esfahan has reached new levels since the official media reported the discovery of a truckload of Bibles on its way to the city."

Iran is fifth on the Open Doors World Watch List for the persecuted church.

Pray for Iran. Pray that no charges would be brought against this woman, and p

ray that her random arrest would not deter believers from shining Christ to others. Pray that the Gospel would continue to break through to Iranians as it has been doing under oppression.

To learn more about Iran's history with persecution, click here.