Christians were often very unpopular and severe religious persecution of them had begun.

Hutter's words are recorded in eight letters, written under severe persecution.

The fear of severe persecution practically vanished when the state turned back toward Protestantism.

Either the church goes through the severe persecution by Antichrist or it doesn't.

For those who remain here, for whatever reason, severe persecution has become a way of life.

In the Soviet Union, an even more severe persecution occurred.

Stalin staged an even more severe persecution at almost the same time.

At present, those in the country who have fought endlessly for justice and reform are once again under severe government-led persecution.

Diocletian undertook what was to be the most severe persecution of Christians, lasting from 303 to 311.

Also similar to other stories about missionaries and martyrs, the text says that they suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe.