Orthodox Christians Mark Easter in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
| Publisher | Institute for War and Peace Reporting |
| Publication Date | 18 April 2012 |
| Cite as | Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Orthodox Christians Mark Easter in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, 18 April 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f9905092.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Despite pervasive state surveillance of religious activity in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Christians went to church on April 15 to celebrate Orthodox Easter.
International watchdogs frequently cite restrictions on freedom of confession in both Central Asian states.
While most Uzbeks and Turkmen are Sunni Muslims, the Russian Orthodox faith is practiced by four and seven per cent, respectively, of those countries' populations.
As the traditional religion of ethnic Russians in Central Asia, governments see the Orthodox church as less of a threat than other Christian groups, but the security services still keep an eye on it.
In the Turkmen capital Ashgabat, Nadezhda brought her daughter to morning mass at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
"There's been a renaissance of church life in recent years," she said. "We are glad we are able to celebrate the major festivals."
In Namangan in eastern Uzbekistan, Father Boris of the Church of the Archangel Michael said interest in the Orthodox faith was rising year by year.
"There are ever more who hunger to draw closer to God," he said.
