A Decade of Remembrance
Or the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya
For most Americans, the 12th day of February in this relatively new year of 2025 will be like any other ordinary Wednesday. For us Christians, we would do well to remember that this February 12th is another day to remember those who surrendered their lives for the faith.
I recall a famous passage from Tertullian from college that basically says, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” That passage definitely changed my perspective of the famous Colosseum in Rome, Italy, which is more than just a home for the famous gladiatorial games, but also a place in which countless Christians died under the guise of sport for the Roman people’s amusement.
Martyrdom seems to be a distant relic of the past. But it hasn’t ceased since the earliest days of Christianity with the famous first martyr, St. Stephen, nor has it ceased in this, our “more civilized age” of the 21st century, nor will it cease until the unveiling of it all at the Second Coming; the end of this earthly realm and the beginning of a new one.
Weighing heavy on my heart is both the sorrow and joy of the 21 Coptic Christian Martyrs of Libya who perished under the violent hands of the Islamic State on February 12th, 2015. Ten years have now passed; an entire decade. The world stage quickly moved on to the next thing, but I think their story is worth remembering, honoring, and keeping close at heart; especially in a comfortable society like ours in the United States.
These 21 men consisted of 20 Egyptian migrant workers and one from Ghana who were kidnapped, held hostage, and then dressed in prison orange jumpsuits as their deaths were filmed for the world to see. I have not seen the footage nor do I need to. You don’t need to either. But it exists, just as their courage to hold fast to their Christian faith exists anew.
They could have relented, renounced Christ, and embraced Islam. They were given the chance to, but they held firm and were beheaded at the hands of vile cowards driven by religious hate.
Their witness of faith is one we should all hold dear, for in their dying moments, the name of Jesus was on their lips. Perhaps some were brave, perhaps some were frightened, but our Lord was with each one as he breathed his last.
Milad Makeen Zaky
Abanub Ayad Atiya
Maged Soliman Shehata
Youssef Shukry Younan
Kirollos Boshra Fawzy
Bishoy Astafanous Kamel
Samuel Astafanous Kamel
Malak Ibrahim Sinyout
Tawadros Youssef Tawadros
Gerges Milad Sinyout
Mina Fayez Aziz
Hany Abdel Mesih Salib
Samuel Alham Wilson
Ezzat Boshra Naseef
Luka Nagaty Anis
Gaber Mounir Adly
Essam Baddar Samir
Malak Farag Abrahim
Sameh Salah Farouk
Gerges Samir Megally
Mathew Ayairga (from Ghana)
In the words of Pope Francis, “these martyrs were baptized not only in water and the Spirit, but also in blood, with a blood that is a seed of unity for all followers of Christ.”
These Christian men are venerated as saints and martyrs on February 15 each year in the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church; this is a beautiful sign of unity across theological divides and nuanced doctrines.
This Christian unity is so unlike the confusing spiderweb of division that criss-crosses the Islamic world of Muslims. I understand quite little of the nuances, the history, the people, their own sufferings and desires, but they are still flesh and blood, made in the image of God himself. I hope healing can find its way into this part of the world.
Will we find peace amidst religious extremism in this century? Will radical Islam dwindle as new generation unveils the truth? Will Christians themselves continue to be divided, or can we too find unity just as Christ prayed for at the Last Supper? Only God knows, but His guiding hand will lead in all according to His will.
I certainly do not know, but these are the times given to us to live in. These are the crosses we are called to embrace, work with, and carry daily.
Above my desk is a little icon of these 21 martyrs. Daily, it is a visible reminder of the most important reality that I need and struggle to keep at the forefront of my ever rambling mind: the centrality of our faith and the love that Christ himself has for each of us, even for those who, like St. Paul himself, persecute the Church. It is also a reminder of indebted gratitude I have for this gift of life each day.
These martyrs are not the distant Christian heroes of an unexperienced past in glossy paintings, but men of our day with families, parents, brothers and sisters, wives, and children left behind. These families have joy in their sainted loved ones, but also sorrow in their daily absence. However, love is stronger than and transcends death itself.
Let us pray for these families, let us pray for peace in the Middle East, let us pray for Christian unity, and let us ask these saints and martyrs for their intercession as they enjoy the beatific vision of our Blessed Lord. And may we on our earthly pilgrimage have the courage to bear the name of Jesus on our lips always.