Christian woman found murdered in Idlib

A SYRIAN Christian woman has been murdered in Idlib Province, in Syria, after being raped, tortured, and stoned, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported this week. The body of Susanne Der Krykor was discovered on 9 July at her home in the Christian village of Yaqubya, in the Idlib countryside. CSW reports that she was one of a few Christians who decided to remain in their homes in Yaqubya and Qnayeh villages after the region was taken over by Jihadist groups. CSW reports that an Orthodox priest who used to lead a church in Idlib estimates that fewer than 200 Christians remain in the province, compared with approximately 10,000 before 2015. Under bombardment by government forces over the past 80 days, more than 350 civilians in Idlib have been killed, and 330,000 people displaced, the UN reported this week.

Translator of first Bible in Tokelauan inspired by father

THE first translation of the Bible into Tokelauan, a Polynesian language spoken in Tokelau and New Zealand, was finalised for publication this month, after more than 23 years of work, Anglican Taonga reported last week. The head translator, Ioane Teao, recalled the words of his father when he left Tokelau for New Zealand as a boy: “You know you are going away to school. You must remember, you’re not going for yourself. You’re not going for your family. You’re going for the people. You’re going for Tokelau. Whatever you learn, you’re going to use to benefit the people of Tokelau.” Tokelaun is a mainly oral language; Mr Teao had to learn how to write it before he could begin the translation. The Bible is due to be published early in 2021.