More than 388 million Christians worldwide are persecuted for their faith

According to the latest report by the international organization Open Doors, Christians remain the most persecuted religious group on the planet. Ahead of the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Religiously Motivated Violence, observed on August 22, shocking data for the year 2026 was released, indicating an escalation of oppression and violence worldwide. As reported by Orthodoxia News Agency, more than 388 million believers face discrimination and threats on a daily basis because of their religious beliefs.

Statistics from the 2026 World Watch List report underscore the scale of the tragedy: During the reporting period, 4,849 Christians were killed, 3,632 attacks on churches and church property were recorded, and 4,712 believers were detained. Experts are particularly alarmed by the situation in sub-Saharan Africa, where 93% of all Christian killings worldwide occurred. Nigeria remains the country with the highest number of victims, with 3,490 people killed.

The report also notes a sharp deterioration in the situation in Syria, which rose from 18th to 6th place on the list of countries with the highest levels of persecution. A significant factor contributing to this figure was the terrorist attack in Damascus in June 2025, which claimed the lives of 22 people. The top ten countries with the most severe conditions for Christians also include North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Pakistan, Libya, and Iran.