[NRx]

Well that was quick. But honestly, sometimes there is just no need for prolonged hearings and investigations. I see a new icon on my near future shopping list. Great and Holy New Martyrs of Egypt and Libya pray for us!

[livius]

Good! Martyrs don’t need a lengthy process. They died for confessing Christianity, and ISIS was so proud of it they made a video about it. But the martyrs were the final winners.

[lightman]

From byzcath.org forum:

Edward Yong of Singapore has written these for the New Martyrs:

Draft troparion of the Libyan Martyrs. Suggestions for improvement are very welcome.!

Tone 1 Kyivan, perhaps?

Like meek lambs ye cried out with your last breaths,/’ O Lord Jesus’,/ and like roses blooming in the desert of Libya,/ ye shed your blood for the Master./ With godly valour, ye showed your godless persecuters/ true strength from the true faith,/ O pride of Minya and boast of the church of St Mark, / intercede with Christ that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion in Tone 8
(to the special melody ‘To thee the Champion Leader’)

O ye new-martyrs, faithful sons of the nation of the Cross,
Ye denied not Christ to save your mortal lives,
with your constancy ye earned the true crowns of life.
Ye are witnesses to us who venerate your sufferings
that the Lord gives courage in the hour of trial,
By your example we sing:
O Lord Jesus, be our comfort and strength!

[Gay State Conservative]

I'm not a religious scholar but it seems to me that what those 21 men endured might qualify as being martyrdom.They showed a courage and devotion that is awe inspiring to me.

[NRx]

[tioga]

Praise God.

[Albion Wilde]

I found this graphic on another site the other day. The part about the video is part of the jpg. What's important is the message about praying for the families of these blessed martyrs. Two of the men were brothers, and left another brother behind who the other day thanked the jihadists for including the men's last words in the beheading video, which were entirely calls out to Jesus. RIP brave souls!

[perez24]

Whenever we post something about fresh outrage in the U.S. regarding Christians, we should think about what the Copts go through every day. It brings a little perspective.