Middle East

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iranian Church leaders have urged prayers for Christians in Iran amid concerns authorities will raid more house churches and detain believers over the Christmas and Western New Year period.

Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Two Iranian Christian women have been detained because of their Christian activities, supporters of the Iranian Christians said Tuesday, March 31.

By George Whitten, BosNewsLife Senior Middle East Correspondent reporting from Israel and BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BosNewsLife)-- A tense ceasefire began late Wednesday between the ruling militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip and Israel following weeklong fighting, but Christians in Israel urged prayers amid fears of an all-out war.

BosNewsLife Middle East Service with BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has appealed to Iraqi authorities to defend minority Christians, after police confirmed that the Christian owner of a car repair shop was killed, execution-style, in Mosul.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- An Iranian court is to deliver a verdict in a case against 12 Christians who stood trial on Easter Sunday for charges that included "crimes against the order" an official assisting them said.

By BosNewsLife News Center with BosNewsLife's Senior Special Correspondent Johan Th. Bos reporting from the Netherlands AMSTERDAM/WASHINGTON D.C. (BosNewsLife)-- One of the world's largest mission agencies, Open Doors, named North Korea and Iran Wednesday, November 6, as "the worst persecutors of Christians".

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest and border areas BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Pope Francis call for solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty amid Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War Two comes while Hungary's government says it has completed a razor-wire barrier near the border with Serbia. It is among several measures Hungary is taking to halt back refugees after some 150,000 migrants reportedly entered the country illegally this year alone. In Budapest refugees have demanded safe passage to the West during spontaneous demonstrations over the weekend.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife JERUSALEM (BosNewsLife Columns)-- A man claiming to be the Messiah rose up from death Sunday, March 27, after He died at a cross on Golgotha hill near Jerusalem's walls, friends said. Jesus Christ had been tortured and crucified to death Friday, March 25, by Roman forces, after Jewish crowds rallied against him for claiming he is the Heavenly King who will sit "at the right hand" of his Heavenly Father, giving eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service CAIRO, EGYPT (BosNewsLife)-- Thousands of Egyptians marched through Egypt's capital Cairo Tuesday, October 9, marking the year anniversary of a military crackdown on Christian protesters that killed 26 people.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- A pastor of Iran's largest evangelical church movement will return to prison after undergoing surgery for injuries linked to mistreatment behind bars, Iranian Christians said Monday, February 24.