Faith Facts

• More than 120,000 Christian Armenians from Artsakh were forced to flee their historic homeland during Azerbaijan’s 2023 military invasion.
• Civilians suffered extreme hardship and persecution during a 10-month blockade, including starvation and loss of basic necessities.
• The cultural and spiritual heritage of one of the world’s oldest Christian regions faces erasure as refugees rebuild in Armenia.

Devoted Christians like Marina Simonyan have endured the pain of violent conflict and the grief of losing their ancient homeland, Artsakh, a beacon of faith for centuries.

The September 2023 invasion led to a mass exodus, as Azerbaijani forces targeted civilians, forcing thousands to seek refuge in Armenia and abandon their churches and heritage.

“I was born in the 1990s, and when my parents were telling me what happened during the ’90s, I was skeptical. I was telling them, ‘Well, we are living in the 21st century, and it is highly unlikely that something like that will happen again,'” Simonyan shared, before acknowledging her mistake.

Simonyan described unimaginable atrocities suffered by Armenian families, including torture and brutal violence carried out by Azerbaijani soldiers against innocent civilians.

She pleaded for the preservation of Christian memory and international recognition of their suffering, as the global spotlight often fails to focus on their plight.

Leaders in exile lamented the most recent peace agreements, feeling that justice for Artsakh Christians remains unaddressed while their persecutors retain power.

Simonyan recounted life under the 10-month blockade, where families survived without food, heat, or medicine. Pregnant mothers faced deadly hardships walking miles for care, and some lost children due to malnutrition and deprivation.

“Despite all those struggles, we thought we would be strong until the end,” Simonyan testified. “During the blockade, I was telling them nothing worse could happen. But we saw that it could be worse.”

The September offensive struck as children were in school and families had no way to communicate, with towns bombarded and hospitals overwhelmed by the wounded and dead.

“We didn’t have any other choice. We had to leave our homeland,” Simonyan recalled. “Artsakh has always been Armenia. It never was Azerbaijanis. We had to leave our history of thousands of years, everything we had, our churches, our graveyards, our history, our memory, everything. We had to leave Artsakh.”

This tragic displacement serves as a solemn reminder to defend religious liberty and stand firm in faith, remembering those who have lost everything yet hold onto hope.

Stay informed and pray for persecuted believers around the globe.

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Faith Facts

• Alfred the Great, commemorated on 26 October, was an English king known for his godly leadership and biblical convictions.
• He promoted Christian learning, translated essential texts into English, and brought lasting peace through acts of mercy—including baptizing former enemies.
• Alfred’s reign protected Christian England from invaders, revived the Church, and established values still honored today.

Alfred the Great was born in AD 849 near Oxford and raised with a strong Christian faith that shaped his actions as king.

Though the youngest of five brothers, Alfred was chosen to rule after the deaths of his siblings, guided by prayer and biblical counsel.

“Many in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle likened Alfred to King David, the youngest chosen by God for leadership.”

During his rule, he courageously defended England from Viking invasions, leading his people to military and spiritual victories.

Alfred’s mercy toward the defeated Dane leader Guthrum led to Guthrum’s baptism and a groundbreaking treaty that promoted Christian brotherhood.

He built fortified towns for protection and revitalized the English Church by founding monasteries and appointing devoted Christian leaders.

Alfred valued wisdom and learning, engaging scholars to restore Christian education and translating important works such as the Ecclesiastical History and Pastoral Care into English so many could know God’s truth.

His dedication to spreading biblical principles helped establish a legacy of faith, liberty, and learning that shaped the character of England for generations.

Let us remember Alfred the Great as a model of Christian leadership, whose trust in God brought hope and renewal to his nation.

Read more at Christian Today

Faith Facts

• Joe Rogan shared on his podcast that he enjoys attending church and values the study of the Bible.
• He questioned the dismissal of Scripture by secular voices, describing Christianity as the most fascinating faith because of Jesus Christ.
• Rogan contrasted skepticism toward the Resurrection with belief in the Big Bang theory, expressing that Christ’s story makes more sense to him.

Joe Rogan spoke sincerely about how being in church with others who seek to understand the Bible encourages him.

He remarked on the heartfelt intent of believers striving to improve their lives through faith.

“It’s a bunch of people that are going to try to make their lives better, trying to be a better person.”

Rogan also pushed back against those who brand the Bible as myth, observing that its history is deeply meaningful and complex.

“I hear that among self-professed intelligent people, like it’s a fairy tale. I don’t know that’s true. I think there’s more to it.”

He emphasized that Jesus Christ stands at the heart of Christianity, inspiring believers with His teachings and self-sacrifice.

“Christ suffered and died, despite being the best example of how human beings should behave. Died on the cross, supposedly for our sins. It’s a fascinating story.”

Rogan finds it remarkable that the accounts of Christ’s life remain consistent among those who knew Him.

“There’s a universal depiction of what this human being was like. That doesn’t seem to vary that much between all the people that knew Him.”

He said his faith journey deepened after discussions with Christian apologist Wes Huff, leading to regular church attendance.

In May, Rogan questioned materialist explanations of the universe’s origins and highlighted his trust in Christ’s Resurrection.

“It’s funny, because people will be incredulous about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but yet, they’re convinced that the entire universe was smaller than a head of a pin and that for no reason that anyone has adequately explained to me, instantaneously became everything? OK. I’m sticking with Jesus on that one. Jesus makes more sense.”

Be encouraged by leaders who boldly affirm the importance of faith and the enduring truth of the Gospel in our culture.

Read the full story at The Christian Post