Country Demography:

• Population:  143.7 million                                      
• Religions:  Russian Orthodox 54%, Muslim 3%, Catholic 0.6%, Jewish 0.4%, Atheist 39%, Other 3%
• Income Per Capita: $2,140 year/ $5.94 day
• Government Type:  Federation
  Chief of State:  President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (president since 2000)
  Head of Government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 2004)

Legal Profession:

• Sufficient information for a full report had not been received at the time this document went to press.  We are certain that the Christian lawyers in Russia covet our prayers—please pray for these advocates.

Contact Information:

• Ekaterina Smyslova ksmyslova@hotmail.com

ªRussia In Actionª

This vast land faces great challenges and Christian lawyers have been faithfully engaged on many fronts. Katya Smyslova launched the Esther Information Center in 1997 to serve as a legal resource to churches and other ministries. When a new law was passed by the Duma requiring re-registration by churches and ministries or face liquidation, the Center produced and distributed 3,000 CD’s detailing the registration process for pastors and ministry leaders.  As a result, hundreds of churches and ministries effectively registered with the government and avoided closure.

Likewise, the Slavic Center for Law and Justice founded in 1998 has handled many major church-state cases in Russia’s courts and taken several key cases successfully to Russia’s Supreme Court.  There are hundreds of Christian lawyers within the networks of these and other groups.

In 1991 Natalya Vyssotskaya registered a unique prison ministry with the Ministry of Justice called  “Faith, Hope & Love Foundation.”   It was the first comprehensive program in Russia seeking to meet the legal, spiritual and material needs of Russian inmates.  With a small staff and budget Faith, Hope & Love has responded to 20,000 letters from inmates, filed 3,000 appeals and reduced in the aggregate over 2,000 years in prison terms.  In addition, with the help of other lawyers, Natalya played a role in getting a moratorium on capital punishment in Russia.  Faith, Hope & Love has also distributed thousands of Bibles and truckloads of medical supplies to Russian prisoners.