Russia – Christian leader murdered in his church

A prominent Russian church minister has been murdered in his church in Moscow. Danil, 34, was approached on the night of 19 November by a masked gunman who checked his name and then shot him in the head and chest. A choirmaster was also injured in the attack and is recovering in hospital. Danil had been active in evangelistic outreach to Muslims. In February 2008 he stated on a television programme that he had received threats via email that he would have his head cut off if he did not stop preaching to Muslims. Many people think that he may have been killed because of this ministry to Muslims. His widow Yulia commented that he “expected the death some years prior to its happening; he always wished to receive a martyr’s crown, and the Lord has given him this crown … He said that he would be killed.” There are 30 million Muslims in Russia, including a large Muslim population in Moscow, who currently enjoy much favour from the government. • Pray for those who mourn the loss of Danil, especially Yulia and their three children and his congregation, that they will find comfort in the Lord Jesus at this terrible time.