Groups to Display 1000 Flowers at the United States Capitol Building and Hold Prayer Vigil to Remember Pastor Saeed's 1000th Day of Imprisonment
Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Church on the Hill/Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2015 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Saeed Abedini is an American citizen who was given an eight year prison sentence in Iran for his Christian faith. June 23, 2015 marks day 1000 of his incarceration.
The faith organizations will hold a news conference on Tuesday, June 23, at 12:30 P.M. with the flowers on the lower western terrace of the United States Capitol Building.
The groups will be praying for Pastor Saeed's release and calling upon members of Congress to act immediately.
This public witness is part of the #orangejumpsuit campaign which is a movement challenging people to stand with the persecuted church around the world through prayer, activism, public engagement and wearing orange. Different faith leaders will be wearing orange prison jumpsuits at the Capitol event.
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Pastor of Church on the Hill and founder of #orangejumpsuit, states;
"Every five minutes across the globe, a Christian is killed because of their faith. Today marks day 1000 that Pastor Saeed will be spending in an Iranian prison cell for his Christian faith; 1000 days of being away from his wife and two precious young children; 1000 days of facing brutal beatings and torture.
"We are leaving 1000 flowers at the United States Capitol to remind the members of Congress that millions of Christians are facing persecution and violence around the world and to demand they work for the immediate release of Pastor Saeed and work to end this faith based genocide.
"Pastor Saeed is an American citizen and it is unthinkable that Congress would move forward with a nuclear deal with Iran while he is being daily tortured in one of their prison cells. Congressional resolutions are not enough. Actions must speak louder than words regarding religious freedom and human rights.
"We are also encouraging Christians across the nation to wear orange while they fast and pray for Pastor Saeed and our persecuted brothers and sisters. We cannot be silent or indifferent when it comes to the persecuted church."
For more information or interviews please contact Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741
