Across the globe, numerous faith leaders face imprisonment due to their religious beliefs, often amid severe repression. As 2026 approaches, several prominent Christians remain incarcerated, including Mingri “Ezra” Jin, founder of China’s largest house church, who was arrested in October 2025 during a significant crackdown by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Jin’s arrest, alongside 30 other pastors, marked one of the most extensive efforts against Christianity in nearly a decade.
During this crackdown, church services were disrupted, and over 150 congregation members were interrogated. Jin’s daughter revealed to Reuters that her father, aged 56 and diabetic, was charged with “illegal use of information networks.” His church had grown to approximately 5,000 members across nearly 50 cities, utilizing Zoom for sermons during the pandemic. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison. In response to his arrest, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for his release in October.
In Ukraine, the situation for religious leaders is equally dire. Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra monastery, has been in detention since April 2024. He faces charges related to a sermon delivered on a significant feast day, in which he criticized Ukrainian checkpoints that hindered Orthodox pilgrims. Currently held without bail, Arseniy has been subjected to what his lawyers describe as “degrading and inhumane treatment.” He often endures long transfers for court hearings under difficult conditions. “Banning our church brings us no nearer to peace or security. It only sows division,” he stated from prison.
Conversely, in Russia, Nikolay Romanyuk, a Pentecostal pastor, was sentenced to four years in a labor camp after delivering a sermon titled “Not Our War” in 2022. In this address, Romanyuk condemned the violence of war and argued that “killing is a sin,” directly opposing statements made by Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church. Following a failed appeal, Romanyuk awaits transfer to begin his sentence.
In Eritrea, Haile Naizghe, the chairman of the Full Gospel Church, has been detained for over 21 years without trial, making him one of the longest-serving prisoners for religious reasons. Naizghe was arrested in 2004 after applying for national recognition for his church network, which comprises 150 house churches. He is currently held in a maximum-security facility notorious for its harsh conditions. Eritrea ranks sixth on Open Doors’ World Watch List for the persecution of Christians, with the government only recognizing certain denominations.
Vietnam’s Ksor Ruk, a Protestant missionary, was imprisoned in 2018 for “undermining the state’s unity policy.” This marked his second incarceration; he previously served six years after being arrested in 2007. Ruk is currently serving a 10-year sentence for alleged connections to an exiled separatist and for allegedly promoting “Dega Protestantism,” a form of evangelical Christianity among Montagnard ethnic minorities.
In Cuba, Loreto Hernández García and his wife, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, face severe consequences for participating in a peaceful protest advocating for human rights. García was sentenced to seven years for “public disorder,” while Pérez received an eight-year sentence. Their imprisonment has separated them from their two children. While Pérez was released in January 2025, she was rearrested in June after being warned against making critical public statements about the government.
These leaders represent just a fraction of the countless individuals imprisoned for their faith. Their stories highlight the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in various regions, where belief can lead to severe repercussions. As global attention turns to these cases, the hope for their release and the protection of religious liberties remains a pressing concern for advocates worldwide.
