The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have voiced deep concern over the escalating persecution of Christians worldwide, citing recent remarks by Msgr. Ettore Balestrero, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, who highlighted the alarming scale of violence and discrimination faced by Christians across the globe.
In a statement issued by Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, reference was made to Msgr. Balestrero’s warning that nearly 400 million Christians worldwide are subjected to persecution or violence, making Christianity the most persecuted religious community in the world.
According to the statement, almost 5,000 Christians were killed because of their faith in 2025 alone—an average of 13 deaths every day. The Archons noted that these figures are corroborated by Open Doors, an organization that monitors religious persecution around the world.
Open Doors reported that the number of Christians exposed to persecution and at risk of violence increased by eight million over the past year, reaching a record 388 million people worldwide.
The organization’s Director, Cristian Nani, described the findings as another tragic record. Of those affected, 201 million are women and girls, while 110 million are children under the age of 15.
The figures underscore what Church leaders and human rights advocates describe as a growing global crisis affecting Christian communities in numerous regions, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate called upon international institutions and human rights organizations to make the persecution of Christians a priority concern and to increase pressure on governments and actors responsible for violations of religious freedom.
The statement emphasized that protecting religious liberty remains a central mission of the Archons and urged all people of goodwill to stand in solidarity with suffering Christians around the world.
Concluding the statement, Dr. Limberakis appealed to Archons and faithful everywhere to continue praying for those who endure persecution because of their Christian faith.
“Protection of religious freedom is a primary mission of every Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” he said, calling on believers to remember in prayer “our sisters and brothers in the faith who are suffering today for their devotion to our common Lord.”
The Archons’ appeal comes amid growing international concern over restrictions on religious freedom and the increasing vulnerability of Christian communities in conflict zones and regions marked by religious intolerance.
Source: archons.org
