King Charles led a powerful Advent service at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, where he highlighted the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
Organisers have called it a vital moment of “light and hope” before Christmas.
The King said it was a “great joy” to gather in the Abbey, while survivor Ribqa Nevash told attendees her family had “suffered for speaking up”.
Charles, who’s 77-years-old, lit a candle and joined UK and international church leaders after being welcomed by the dean of Westminster, the Very Rev David Hoyle.
The service focused on Advent, ecumenism and the experiences of Christians facing violence and discrimination, according to the Daily Mail.
Music was performed by choirs from the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Cardinal Timothy Ratcliffe warned of a global “escalation of violence from knife crime to war”, referencing the “hideousness” of anti-Semitism.
Ribqa, who works with Aid to the Church in Need, delivered one of the most emotional testimonies, describing persecution in Pakistan where she said she could not go out alone “for fear of being kidnapped and raped”.
After the service, she said she was delighted when the King invited her husband, Raheel, to join their conversation, jokingly asking, “are you legal?”
She said the UK had allowed her to speak “peacefully and independently” about her experiences, adding that at home Christians were prevented from celebrating Christmas openly, sometimes even having their electricity switched off.
In a written message, the King said Advent was a time of “preparation” and offered “every blessing of peace, joy and love” to families this season.