He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Rabindra Parichha, Saul Pradhan
and Michael Nayak (2011)
Indian Christian Leaders
On 16 December 2011, Rabindra Parichha became the third Indian Christian leader to be killed in Kandhamal district that year. The well-known Christian activist had formerly worked as a lay pastor, travelling to towns and villages in the area and discipling Christians in their faith. But at the time of his death he was working for a legal organisation that had formed in September 2008 to help victims of anti-Christian violence in Orissa state, the scene of widespread attacks by Hindu extremists that broke out in Kandhamal district at Christmas 2007 (see December 24).
A colleague described Rabindra as “a brave and fearless leader and a dynamic member of the team” who “provided support to many victims of communal violence.” His murder, so close to Christmas, was interpreted by Sajan George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, as “a strategic move by extremists to create a climate of fear among Christians in Kandhamal.” He said that it evoked memories of the “Black Christmas of 2007”.
Two other Christian leaders had been killed in Kandhamal in 2011; in both cases, the authorities had tried to pass off the deaths as accidental, but it later transpired that the Christians had been murdered. Pastor Saul Pradhan was found dead on 11 January near a pond in the village of Pakal. Then on 26 July, Pastor Michael Nayak was killed in what appeared to be a road accident. Both men had been met by Hindus shortly before their deaths.
Come, let us join our friends above, who have obtained the prize,
And on the eagle wings of love to joys celestial rise.
Let saints on earth unite to sing with those to glory gone,
For all the servants of our King in earth and heaven are one.
Our spirits too shall quickly join, like theirs with glory crowned,
And shout to see our Captain’s sign, to hear His trumpet sound.
O that we now might grasp our Guide!
O that the word were given!
Come, Lord of Hosts, the waves divide, and land us all in Heaven.
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)