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Seven church leaders arrested

The news of seven arrests in Isfahan reached us while we were in Canada, to celebrate the baptism of our first grandson. Being so far away made the news more bewildering and confusing. We were warned by close friends to stay away, but we were led to go back and face the challenges. Our ministry would have been ruined and we ourselves would have been demoralised if we had not heeded the ‘still small voice’.

It became clear that the aim had been to disrupt completely the life of the Diocese. The diocesan administrator, the accountant, the lay readers, a preacher, an organist and my personal secretary had been targeted. They had been accused of unlawful propaganda and later set free on bail, waiting to appear before the religious court. Bahman our deacon, who had been lately transferred to Isfahan, had also been made to go home and ordered to stay away from the church fellowship.

In Tehran I talked to Albert Fazeli, whom I had appointed to act in my absence. He had shown amazing wisdom in his dealings, and had won the respect of the authorities. In Isfahan and Shiraz he had calmed the situation, consoled the disheartened, and pleaded for the release of those in trouble.

Courageous attendance at worship

At the service we held in Isfahan, many took courage and attended, including some who had been pressed not to come! There was a new life, a new sense of security all around. The next urgent need was to meet the troubled ones, to give care and supporting assurances. They had been told I was the root cause of their ordeals because I was in league with Beelzebul, (the West), and that I had made charges against them.

A few days later we went to visit the church in Shiraz. We drove to Isfahan and after the church service we went to meet the needs of our people there. I met with Ershad authorities and listened to their complaints against the church, and promised to pursue their legitimate concerns. During the Holy Communion service, a large group of Christian tourists attended, so I made the service bilingual. The presence of the Spirit affected us deeply.

Next day all the members gathered to plan the maintenance of church services, and to elect the Church Council. Later at night two were confirmed.

The Diocese is nailed naked on a cross, her situation seems desperate. Her main issue is not survival but death and resurrection. Will she be faithful? Pray that she will fix her eyes on the faithful One, the dead, the resurrected and the coming One.

Iraj