By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife
WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (BosNewsLife) More than a century after one of the worst massacres of Christians, U.S. President Joe Biden formally declared the systemic killing and deportation of some 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces “genocide.”
His announcement prompted a sharp response from Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, which has denied that Armenians were singled out for killings.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned his country “will not be given lessons on our history from anyone.”
But a grateful Armenia appreciated Biden’s “principled position” as a step toward “the restoration of truth and historical justice.”
Protesters run from tear gas fired by security forces, as some demonstrators also let off fire extinguishers, next to a barricade set up during the demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay on March 15, 2021. | STR/AFP via Getty Images
At least 20,000 people from Myanmar’s Karen ethnic group, many of whom are Christian, have been displaced due to continual airstrikes that began on March 27, two months after the military coup. A rights organization reports that military forces are also bombarding civilians in their homes.
Airstrikes by the Myanmar army have targeted civilians, schools and medical clinics in northern Karen state, according to the Free Burma Rangers, an organization that provides humanitarian services in war-torn areas.
Ethiopian monastery destroyed amid ongoing violence: reports christianpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from christianpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Abuna Aregawi house in the Debre Damo Monastery overlooks a cliff in Tigray, Ethiopia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abuna Aregawis place at Debre Damo.JPG | Wikimedia Commons/Fabian Lambeck
A historic monastery in Ethiopia has allegedly been looted, bombed and destroyed while one monk was reportedly killed amid ongoing violence in Tigray, the nation s war-torn northern region.
According to reports, treasures located inside the Debre Damo Monastery, such as ancient manuscripts, were allegedly looted by troops from neighboring Eritrea who are allied with the Ethiopian National Defense Force.
The historic house of worship dates back to the sixth century and contains painted ceilings and walls. It is believed to have been founded by one of the Nine Saints of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The monastery can only be reached after climbing up an 80-foot cliff.
Christians Released from Eritrean Prison After Detention Without Charge
Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Dozens of Christians have been freed from prison in Eritrea after being held for years without charge.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that the Christians – 70 in total – came from evangelical and Orthodox backgrounds, with prison sentences ranging from two to 12 years.
CSW said they were detained without charge or trial, and “should never have been incarcerated”.
The freed prisoners include six women who were arrested on a street after worshipping in public.
Although their release has been welcomed, CSW said it is possible that Eritrea is trying to deflect international attention away from its involvement in the ongoing war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.