The Arabic letter “ن” (“N”) stands for the Arabic word الناصري (Nasrani, which means “Nazarene”). It thus signifies that the residents and owners of homes and business so marked are followers of Jesus of Nazareth, and therefore Christians. Once marked in this fashion, they are singled out for persecution, and given the simple choice: convert, submit or die.

Their behavior finally received the international attention and condemnation it deserves following the videotaped decapitations of three Western hostages in 2014, including American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

As an example of just how drastic the persecution – actually, to be more precise, the genocide and ethnic cleansing – by ISIS has been, consider the fact that during the battles between the Islamic State, insurgents, and government forces in Syria the population of Christians steadily declined, from 1,250,000 in 2011 to less than 500,000 in 2016.

Unfortunately, the plight of one minority being set upon in particular, but not exclusively, by the Islamic State has yet to become the subject of appropriate outrage around the world. Christian men, women and children are being rounded up, raped, robbed and murdered by these and other jihadists across much of the Middle East just because of their faith.

Orthodox Christianity absolutely deplores and condemns discrimination against, and persecution of, any human being for any reason: race, gender, culture, or faith. We unreservedly believe in, and support the universal human right to freedom of expression and freedom to practice one’s faith.

Orthodox Christians call on all men and women of good will – from each and every religious faith, persuasion, and belief – to join in a universal struggle against discrimination. In particular we call upon all people to become aware of the present persecution against Christians in the Middle East and in Africa, as well as in other regions of the world.

Let us consider, and never forget, the immortal words of Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), a prominent Protestant clergyman who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps:

Please click on the following links for more information about contemporary Christian persecution: