Radio Eli, Estonia – 1035 kHz
On 9 March 2022, Radio Eli posted the following on their Facebook page (translated from Russian to English): “Due to recent events on Radio Eli in recent years, and the rise in electricity in Estonia last fall, we did not have enough funds to keep the medium waves running 24/7. We could hear the broadcast outside our country only in the evening. But with God’s help and the active participation of new donors, we were able to make a payment for 1035KHz ROUND THING DURING MARCH. We are so glad the Lord made this possible, especially in light of the current events. Pray that funds will continue to be needed to pay for broadcasting”. (seemingly still 24/7 during April 2022)
A undated schedule for Radio Eli in Russian can be found at
https://mediaeli.ee/programm/
Some highlights from it are as follows, with some familiar organisations mentioned (I have converted times to UTC and programmes are presumed to be in Russian unless otherwise stated):
0100-0140 Tue Friedensstimme Mission
0130-0200 Wed Voice of the Martyrs
0330-0400 Mon-Fri TWR block
0400-0500 Sat/Sun TWR block
0700-0705 Daily Programme guide
0830-0900 Wed Voice of the Martyrs
1000-1100 Sun Orthodox programme (Radio Teos?)
1200-1230 Sun Friedensstimme Mission
1230-1300 Sun Voice of the Martyrs
1300-1305 Daily Programme guide
1305-1400 Sat Service in Ukrainian
1600-1635 Wed Friedenstimme Mission
1900-2000 Daily TWR block (confirmed starting and ending with the TWR Interval Signal on 20 April 2022)
2100-2105 Daily Programme guide
2105-2140 Fri Friedensstimme Mission
2105-2200 Sat Orthodox programme (Radio Teos?)
2140-2200 Fri Voice of the Martyrs
2200-2300 Mon Orthodox programme (Radio Teos?)
2200-2300 Wed Service in Ukrainian
Voice of the Martyrs is known for its programmes on shortwave for North Korea, and more recently for the Maldives. As highlighted above, it also has programmes on Radio Eli on 1035 kHz. The VOM website has the following item from 2 September 2020: “Russia: Strict Opposition to Missionary Activity. In July 2016, Russia passed religion laws restricting “illegal missionary activity” by either citizens or foreigners. This activity could involve speaking to people about religion, or the distribution of either printed, audio or video materials. Between January and June of this year, there have been 42 known prosecutions, resulting in 36 convictions. All those who were convicted received fines. Most of the recent convictions have not involved religious organisations but rather individuals who were sharing their faith. Those charged were convicted because they did not notify the authorities of the existence of their “religious group”, even though they were acting as individuals. These laws do not only affect Christians but also citizens belonging to other religious groups. According to Russia’s current laws, individuals or groups engaging in missionary or evangelistic activities of any kind could possibly be subjected to stiff opposition.”, Presumably the reason for the programmes in Russian on Radio Eli.
If anyone can further clarify the content of Radio Eli’s schedule, please let us know.
Tony Rogers, Birmingham, UK to bdxc-news via WOR iog (2022-04-21)