The 21 Holy Coptic Martyrs of Libya

In what the terrorist group ISIS meant to be a propaganda coup, they brutally murdered 21 innocent men because they were Christian and videoed their brutal act for the world to see back on 12 February 2015.  

From @copticsg on X

This backfired on them and they failed miserably.

God knew the evil in their hearts which is "an abomination in the sight of God" (Lk 16:15).

They forgot that Christ commanded His followers to "deny [themselves] and take up [their] cross and follow [Him]" for "whoever loses his life for [His] sake will find it" (Matt 16:24-25).

They forgot that as Tertullian said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Their 21 victims became sainted martyrs for their willingness to die for the sake of Christ.

They were all simple, poor men. 20 of the holy martyrs were Coptic Christians from Egypt, while the last was from Ghana. All of them laid down their lives, saying "Ya Rabba Yassou!" ("O Lord Jesus!") with their dying breaths. 

From @coptsg on X

These men left a legacy echoing that of the martyrs of old to their families, friends, and Christians everywhere by the strength of their faith in God.

Not even a 1,600 year schism between Rome & Constantinople and Coptic Alexandria could obscure the witness of these men and prevent us from embracing them as brothers in Christ, as Pope Francis entered their names into the Roman Martyrology in 2023. 

All 21 of these men are now saints in the Coptic Orthodox Church AND the Catholic Church.

2024 Feast of the 21 Coptic Martyrs

This act by Pope Francis brought these men to my notice beyond old news headlines and I quickly found a book on them that I finished yesterday. It has some very good material about these men and the Coptic Christian faith.

In an incredible display of calm faith, the father of St. Gaber Munir Adly, one of the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya said it best...

Here are some other videos I've found with two more of the Coptic Martyrs:

St. Essam Badr Samir, one of the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya

St. Milad Makeen Zaky, one of the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya

Remember these men and their sacrifice for Christ. Pray for the Coptic Orthodox and unity, as the Spirit wills. May the 21 Holy Martyrs pray for all of us, always!