Holy See marks first Feast of Coptic Martyrs

Nine years ago, twenty-one Coptic men were executed by ISIS on a beach in Libya, and for the first time, the Catholic Church has observed their feast day.  Present for the prayer service were several representatives from the Coptic Church.

The men – members of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church – were murdered on a beach in Libya, and footage of their execution was posted online by the terrorist group, which went viral.

Soon after, all 21 men were immediately proclaimed martyrs by the Coptic Church. In May 2023, Pope Francis added them to the Roman Martyrology, the Catholic Church’s official list of saints.

Thursday February 15, was the first time that the feast of the Coptic martyrs had come around on the Catholic calendar of saints, and to mark the occasion, an ecumenical prayer service was held in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Cardinal Kurt Koch presided over the celebration, at which relics of the martyrs were placed on the altar and venerated.

In his homily, the Cardinal, who is also Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, reflected on the concept of the “ecumenism of blood” which is so important to the Holy Father, quoting his words: “If the enemy unites us in death, who are we to divide ourselves in life?”

“The communion of martyrs,” the Cardinal stressed, “undoubtedly speaks more eloquently than the divisions that still separate us today.”

Music was provided by Rome’s Coptic Choir, which is composed of around two dozen boys and young men. Their voices filled the Choir Chapel in the Basilica with their chant:

“Blessed are you, O martyrs. You suffered many tortures, and the sea testified, and you put on your crowns.

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Without words, you made your voices heard, and your voices have travelled to the ends of the earth.”

Speaking to sources, after the conclusion of the prayer service, one priest described Pope Francis’ recognition of the Coptic martyrs as a “beautiful sign” aimed at unifying Christians.