Posted on 02/22/2015 1:14:45 PM PST by NYer
The stunning icon here depicts the martyrs and was created by Egyptian American artist Tony Rezk. It appears on the website for the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles.
From Vatican Radio:
The Coptic Orthodox Church has announced that the murder of the 21 Egyptian Christians killed by the so-called Islamic State in Libya will be commemorated in its Church calendar.
Pope Tawadros II announced that the names of the martyrs will be inserted into the Coptic Synaxarium, the Oriental Church’s equivalent to the Roman Martyrology. This procedure is also equivalent to canonization in the Latin Church.
According to terrasanta.net, the martyrdom of the 21 Christians will be commemorated on the 8th Amshir of the Coptic calendar, or February 15th of the Gregorian calendar. The commemoration falls on the feast day of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
Militants of the Islamic State released a gruesome video entitled “A Message Signed in Blood to the Nation of the Cross” in which they released a warning saying they were “south of Rome.” They then proceeded to behead the Christian men, some of whom were seen mouthing the words “Lord Jesus Christ” moments before their death.
They died with the name of Jesus on their lips, ping!
But, but, the Crusades!! These crusaders should get off their high horse!
God bless these martyrs. May we all be convicted in a similar manner, if that should ever happen.
The image reminds me of something from Revelation.
Will we be ready to embrace martyrdom, just as they did?
Stunning is right.
We must be ready at all times as we never know when His kingdom will come or when we’ll be called home. God bless these Christian saints.
Wonder if I would be so bold under the same circumstances? Hope so....
I hope all 21 will pray for America, unceasingly.
And if they still have time left, to remember me.
Revelation 20:4 ESV
“Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
They get a special shout-out in Holy Scripture.
Thank you for posting this.
Beautiful icon!
God bless these martyrs.
Very good to hear!
God Bless their souls.
I really like the Angels portrayed as bringing them their crowns...
Very moving...
We have to pray for courage.
That is a beautiful icon.It has all the traditional requirements, and yet has a modern 21st century Look to it.
I think it is wonderful that the Coptic Church immediately recognized these precious martyrs for the saints they are.
I do believe we will be seeing the Book of Revelation coming alive before our eyes.
Even so, Come Quickly Lord Jesus.
Wonderful Eastern Christian icon that was writing!
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