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Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, has raised the alarm about the intensifying wave of anti-Christian sentiment in Europe. Speaking in an interview with gondola.hu, he highlighted a troubling trend that ranges from violent attacks on Christian symbols to the systematic erasure of religious traditions, particularly during key church holidays like Christmas.
According to him, anti-Christian violence has escalated in recent years, with terrorist attacks targeting Christmas markets and other religious gatherings across Europe. In France alone, there are two to three vandalism attacks on Christian sites daily, with this figure spiking during the Christmas season.
Beyond physical violence, the politician pointed to a more insidious threat:
the cultural erasure of Christianity under the guise of promoting diversity and tolerance.
Tristan Azbej criticized efforts to de-Christianize Christmas, such as renaming the holiday or discouraging traditional greetings like “Merry Christmas.” He cited an attempt by former European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourová to enforce generic seasonal greetings in EU institutions, warning of labor sanctions for non-compliance. “This is an effort to strip Christmas of its Christian essence,” he explained, emphasizing that the word “Christmas” itself denotes the celebration of Christ’s birth. He lamented what he sees as a two-pronged assault on Christian culture:
external threats from radical Islamist groups and internal pressures from secular Western ideologies seeking to dismantle Europe’s Christian heritage.
Tristan Azbej’s concerns extend beyond Europe. Drawing on data from Open Doors, an organization monitoring Christian persecution worldwide, he reported alarming global figures for 2023: nearly 5,000 Christians executed for their faith, over 14,000 churches attacked, and thousands more arrested. He singled out North Korea as the most dangerous place for Christians, where even possessing a Bible can result in a death sentence or lifelong imprisonment in labor camps for entire families.
He noted that Christianity, while the world’s largest religion, is paradoxically the most persecuted minority faith in many regions. This persecution stems from a range of sources, including Islamist extremism, Marxist regimes, and dictatorial governments. In some countries, public celebrations of Christmas are not only discouraged but life-threatening.
The State Secretary’s remarks underscore the urgency of protecting Christian communities and traditions in Europe and beyond. The politician called for greater awareness and action to counter these trends,
arguing that the preservation of religious freedom is essential to maintaining cultural diversity and human rights.
Via MTI; Featured image via Facebook/Azbej Tristan