Hostile
Russia (North Caucasus)
The North Caucasus region of Russia includes six states that are overwhelmingly Muslim — Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan. Those six Muslim-majority states have a population of 7.2 million people and include 45 language groups, the world’s most complex grouping in such a small area. For generations, the region has been beset by violent Islamic separatist groups who have committed terrorist attacks in the Caucasus, in other parts of Russia and beyond.
Major Religion
The six North Caucasus states are 95 percent Muslim. Only 2.3 percent of the population of those states are Christian.
Persecutor
Across these six North Caucasus states, those who convert to Christianity face harsh treatment from their family members and community. In Chechnya and Dagestan, the local semi-autonomous government enforces Islamic practice without tolerance or exception.
What It Means To Follow Christ in Russia
To be a Christian in the North Caucasus region means to be persecuted. The region has been Islamic for centuries, and being Muslim is closely tied to local identities. Around a dozen of the people groups do not have a single known follower of Christ. In other parts of Russia, Christians who are viewed as a threat to the regime are legally restricted in several activities of their faith, especially evangelism. While the Putin regime hasn’t yet used these laws to severely persecute Christians in Russia, there is great concern at how ideologies, such as the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), that lead to persecution are being purported by the media portrayals, government and senior Russian Orthodox Church leaders. Some Christians with connections to the West have been targeted for persecution, while Russian Christians who do not oppose the regime still meet openly in their churches.
Access to Bibles
Russian-language Bibles are available in the region but not widely distributed. Several people groups do not have a Bible available in their native language. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM supports Christians who have been rejected by their families for coming to faith in Christ. VOM also equips front-line workers advancing the gospel in the North Caucasus region. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Russia (North Caucasus)
- Pray that churches in Dagestan and Chechnya will have a vision to reach Muslims for Christ.
- Pray that government attempts to restrict Christianity will fail to silence God's Word.
- Pray that new converts will be strengthened in Christ when they are challenged and rejected by their families.
- Pray that people groups without a Bible available in their heart language will soon have access to God's Word.
- Ask God to encourage and equip workers reaching people groups who do not have a single known follower of Christ.
