In Grief and Defiance, Baghdad’s Christians Return to Scene of Attack

The New York Times ^ | 11/7/10 | John Leland

[marshmallow]

BAGHDAD — To get to Mass at Our Lady of Salvation Church on Sunday, worshipers had to pass through a blockade of police trucks, past armed sentries on the rooftop, and through a security checkpoint where they were frisked for weapons and explosives. Some came in mourning black, many in tears, most in a spirit of quiet defiance.

Worshipers and others showing solidarity gathered at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on Sunday, where the names of victims were displayed in the sanctuary and outlined in candles.

“This gives us more strength,” said Sama Wadie, 32, a teacher, his hand wrapped in a bandage. “We’re not afraid of death because Jesus died for us. Of course we cry, but they’re tears of happiness, because we die for God.”

One week ago Our Lady of Salvation, a Syrian Catholic church, was the scene of the worst attack on Iraqi Christians since the American-led invasion in 2003. Gunmen in explosive suicide vests jumped the church’s security wall and took more than 100 worshipers hostage, identifying themselves as members of the Islamic State of Iraq, a Qaeda-linked terrorist group. It began a night of bloodshed in which 51 worshipers and two priests were killed. The terrorist group promised more attacks, declaring Christians everywhere “legitimate targets.”

On Sunday the congregation filed into a sanctuary riddled with bullet holes, with bloodstains on the 30-foot-high ceiling from the blast of a suicide vest that left six ornate crystal chandeliers eerily undamaged. In place of the scarred pews was a giant cross on the floor outlined in candles and filled with 51 sheets of paper, each bearing the name of one of the dead. Photographs of the two priests were placed around the church.

[circlecity]

A thousand crowns for these brave saints. I hope each one died with a psalm in their throats and forgiveness in their hearts.

[kittymyrib]

The lesson from Revelation 7:13-17 read on Sunday, All Saints Day (observed), bring these brave saints to mind:
“And I said, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’”...and he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Now they are safe from the cruelty of evil men.

[TASMANIANRED]

Prayers for them.

The blood of martyrs has always strengthened the church.