Faith
Russian Pastor Jailed for Preaching Peace
Faith Facts
- Pastor Nikolay Romanyuk sentenced to four years for a sermon against war.
- The court forbade him from managing websites for three years.
- His health is deteriorating, but he stands firm in his faith.
A Russian court sentenced Rev. Nikolay Romanyuk, 63, to four years in prison for declaring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “not our war” in a sermon. The judge also barred him from managing any websites for three years, highlighting the high cost endured by Christians standing for biblical truth.
Authorities accused Pastor Romanyuk of urging congregants to resist military actions, though he insisted his words were grounded in his Christian conviction against violence. He spoke at Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church following the government’s partial mobilization announcement in 2022, emphasizing pacifism based on Scripture and upholding the right to profess these beliefs openly.
During his arrest, armed officers injured Pastor Romanyuk, yet officials have not faced reprimand for this. In court, he affirmed his position, declaring he did not call for acts against government offices and only expressed a Christian worldview rooted in the Bible.
“It is our right to profess this on the basis of Holy Scripture,” the pastor maintained.
Romanyuk’s congregation supports the nation’s defense and the opportunity for alternative civilian service, helping others as an expression of faith. He clarified that his church engages in humanitarian ministry for both soldiers and civilians, refusing to condone violence but choosing to lift up the afflicted through prayer and care.
The pastor’s health has sharply declined, yet he remains steadfast in his convictions, refusing to recant his Christ-centered message of peace. His family denounced the verdict as unjust, calling it a response to his faith-driven beliefs and his witness as a shepherd to his flock.
Pray for fellow believers who courageously uphold biblical principles in the face of opposition. Stand united for truth, faith, and the right to live out Christian values without fear.