Posted on 02/18/2015 6:14:17 AM PST by marshmallow
Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Giza echoed Pope Francis by hailing the 21 Coptic Christians killed by ISIS as martyrs
The 21 Coptic Christians who were beheaded by ISIS militants died as martyrs, invoking the name of Jesus, said an Egyptian Catholic bishop.
In line with Pope Francis’s assertion at morning Mass on February 17, Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Giza told the Fides news agency that the “diabolical” video of the Christians’ massacre, intended to “spread terror,” was a testament to their martyrdom in the faith.
The video of their beheading, released on Sunday, shows that “in the moment of their barbaric execution”, some of the Christians were repeating the words “Lord, Jesus Christ,” he said.
“The name of Jesus was the last word on their lips,” said Bishop Mina before adding that, like the early Church martyrs, “they entrusted themselves to the one who would receive them soon after. That name, whispered in the last moments, was like the seal of their martyrdom.”
Following the news of the murders in Libya, Christians in the various dioceses of Egypt began praying and fasting, as the government called for seven days of national mourning. Several Egyptian bishops have spoken about constructing churches, dedicated to the 21 martyrs, in their dioceses.
Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab announced President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would arrange state funds for the construction of a church dedicated to the 21 martyrs in the Egyptian city of Minya, from which many of the victims hailed. In addition, by presidential decree, the victims’ families will receive financial compensation for the death of their loved ones (about $13,000), as well as a monthly stipend. The families are asking that the remains of their loved ones be returned to Egypt for burial.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
Good men all.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. Rev. 20:4 (NET)
Not going to apologize for quoting scripture. When I saw those men lined up to die at the hands of ISIS those verses were all I could think of.
If you believe in the communion of saints, every blow felt by these martyrs should be felt by us.
You may be next. PRAY
Wait... those were Christians that were beheaded by the “Islamic State In Syria”?
I didn’t hear that from the president when he was mentioned it between the 8th & 9th hole!
I wonder why!
Prayers for them and for their families.
Agree. I’ve passed along the website “nazaerean.org” to my parish so we can support our brothers and sisters in Christ.
If it’s true, they are in paradise today while hell awaits their murderers.
Thank You for doing that.
These are our 21st century Saints and Martyrs. So far, more Christians (of all denominations) have been murdered by muslims than during the persecutions in Ancient Rome.
I remember reading that, but did not save the source, but i don’t doubt it.
Amen.
I also, as well as many other Christians, relate that event to those scriptures.
And so it has come to pass, evidence John was with us in future times past and witnessed the souls of those beheaded in the name of our Lord. It has renewed my spirit and confirmed that I serve the right Master.
The Muslims say there is no god but Allah but I know otherwise.
Amen.
I saw the video not a single one of those men was whimpering; crying, screaming or struggling against their fate, their faces displayed the peace of Christ that can only come from Christ, it made the 21 murdering thugs look weak and although their faces and bodies where covered, I know they were disgusted with their own cowardliness in the murdering of men who displayed such courage beyond their cowardly satanic understanding, I’m sure for most of those murderers their minds are tortured because of what they done, those 21 Christian men did not leave their executioners without a lasting witness for Christ.
If you viewed the video you know; if you have yet to see it; you will amazed at the display of courage in the face of evil. We are seeing the martyrdom of Christians much the same as it was 2000 years ago.
Be Ye Also Ready!
Bless your heart, I couldn't find any viable site under that spelling. Here is one sponsored by Church of the Nazarene that is dedicated to the persecuted church: http://nmi.nazarene.org/10013/story.html
One of the long-established organizations helping persecuted Christians is The Voice of the Martyrs.
“.... hell awaits their murderers”
We don’t know that. The apostle Paul persecuted Christians and look how he turned out!
As horrific as their deeds are, they are, like us, sinners in need of a Saviour. We should be praying for them. Remember that Christ said that if we have felt anger towards someone, we have committed murder in our hearts.
Partially true; Where do you think Messiah said that about murder ?
Not here: Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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