Standing in agreement with you, Smilee! "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matt 18:19) Trusting God's healing & strength for you. "Be strong & courageous." (Josh 1:9) Praying in Jesus' name! 
Joseph Shahbazian, a 58-year-old Iranian-Armenian pastor, was given 24 hours to report to Evin Prison. He’s now serving a 10-year sentence for holding church services in his home. While Iranians of Armenian (and Assyrian) descent have a degree of freedom to worship, they are not permitted to teach in the national language of Persian or to welcome “Muslim-born” Iranians into the church. For Joseph who believes that Christ died so that everyone could experience the good news of the gospel, not sharing Jesus with Muslims wasn’t an option.
Mina Khajavi, 59, went to Evin Prison alongside Joseph to begin her six-year sentence for being part of his house church. When she was first arrested June 30, 2020, she was blindfolded to ensure she didn’t know where she was being held. When she was finally released, Mina was put into a car and dropped off on an unknown street without money or a phone. After her appeal was rejected in August, she recently arrived at the prison with the help of a walker, after breaking her leg in three places in a car accident. Prison authorities said she could return home because of her physical condition. Reportedly, she may be allowed to remain at home for another six weeks before she reports to prison—with a note from a government-approved doctor.
Malihe Nazari, 48, was also sentenced to six years and is now in Evin Prison (she reported Tuesday, August 8). Malihe was part of a house church for Christian women in Tehran, which was one of the churches involved in the three-day coordinated series of raids and arrest. Since her arrest, she has been in and out of prisons and during that time was not allowed to see her family when they came to the prison.
Homayoun Zhaveh, 68 and his wife Sara Ahmadi, 44, were actually summoned to serve their sentences more than a year ago. The couple reported to Evin Prison but perhaps in recognition of Homayoun’s condition, they were initially told by prison authorities to return home. Homayoun has advanced Parkinson’s disease. But 14 months later when they received another summons, they assumed they were being called back to retrieve personal items confiscated by intelligence agents during the raid on their home. Instead, authorities arrested them on the spot; they’re now serving their sentences. Homayoun was sentenced to two years while his wife and caretaker must serve eight.
Another Iranian-Armenian pastor, 60-year-old Anooshavan Avedian is also awaiting a summons to serve a 10-year prison sentence. Courts convicted him under Iran’s amended Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code for what a judge called, “propaganda contrary and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam.” Anooshavan was first arrested on August 21 2020, when approximately 30 agents of the Ministry of Intelligence Service (MOIS) raided a private gathering at his home in Narmak in northeastern Tehran, where around 18 Christians, including members of Anooshavan’s family, had gathered to pray and worship. The agents confiscated Bibles, cell phones and computers, demanding that everyone fill out forms with their personal information, including passwords to their phone and social media accounts.
Anooshavan could be summoned to serve his sentence any day.
The reality is that Joseph, Mina, Malihe, Homayoun, Sara, Anooshavan and others like them have done nothing more than simply gather for what Christians around the world often call “home” or “small” groups.
Thanks so much for praying for our brethren like the Bible commands us to in Hebrews 13.3 may Yah reward you for your faithfulness. Taken from an Open Doors USA article please go to this link to learn the background info and more on how and why to pray.
Mina Khajavi, 59, went to Evin Prison alongside Joseph to begin her six-year sentence for being part of his house church. When she was first arrested June 30, 2020, she was blindfolded to ensure she didn’t know where she was being held. When she was finally released, Mina was put into a car and dropped off on an unknown street without money or a phone. After her appeal was rejected in August, she recently arrived at the prison with the help of a walker, after breaking her leg in three places in a car accident. Prison authorities said she could return home because of her physical condition. Reportedly, she may be allowed to remain at home for another six weeks before she reports to prison—with a note from a government-approved doctor.
Malihe Nazari, 48, was also sentenced to six years and is now in Evin Prison (she reported Tuesday, August 8). Malihe was part of a house church for Christian women in Tehran, which was one of the churches involved in the three-day coordinated series of raids and arrest. Since her arrest, she has been in and out of prisons and during that time was not allowed to see her family when they came to the prison.
Homayoun Zhaveh, 68 and his wife Sara Ahmadi, 44, were actually summoned to serve their sentences more than a year ago. The couple reported to Evin Prison but perhaps in recognition of Homayoun’s condition, they were initially told by prison authorities to return home. Homayoun has advanced Parkinson’s disease. But 14 months later when they received another summons, they assumed they were being called back to retrieve personal items confiscated by intelligence agents during the raid on their home. Instead, authorities arrested them on the spot; they’re now serving their sentences. Homayoun was sentenced to two years while his wife and caretaker must serve eight.
Another Iranian-Armenian pastor, 60-year-old Anooshavan Avedian is also awaiting a summons to serve a 10-year prison sentence. Courts convicted him under Iran’s amended Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code for what a judge called, “propaganda contrary and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam.” Anooshavan was first arrested on August 21 2020, when approximately 30 agents of the Ministry of Intelligence Service (MOIS) raided a private gathering at his home in Narmak in northeastern Tehran, where around 18 Christians, including members of Anooshavan’s family, had gathered to pray and worship. The agents confiscated Bibles, cell phones and computers, demanding that everyone fill out forms with their personal information, including passwords to their phone and social media accounts.
Anooshavan could be summoned to serve his sentence any day.
The reality is that Joseph, Mina, Malihe, Homayoun, Sara, Anooshavan and others like them have done nothing more than simply gather for what Christians around the world often call “home” or “small” groups.
Thanks so much for praying for our brethren like the Bible commands us to in Hebrews 13.3 may Yah reward you for your faithfulness. Taken from an Open Doors USA article please go to this link to learn the background info and more on how and why to pray.
Joint Statement
www.opendoorsusa.org
