Who are St. Abanoub, St. Mina, St George, St Demiana and the 40 virgins and St. Rebekah and her 5 children? They are some of the many martyrs of our beloved Coptic Orthodox Church. Our Coptic Orthodox Faith is so special, one of the reasons it is so special and beloved is because it has kept the faith strong. This faith was kept by the beloved martyrs by their courage and blood, for their love for our Lord Jesus Christ. WHAT DOES MARTYR MEAN? Martyrs are witnesses to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ told his disciples that they would be his “WITNESSES” to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8). The Greek word for WITNESS is "MARTYR." The early Church thought of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ as the complete and final act of witnessing. Thus the term "martyr" has become to mean one who witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ by dying for His Holy Name WHY DID THESE SAINTS WANT TO BE MARTYRED? “Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Philippians 1:23 These saints knew what was ahead of them, and they believed the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ were true! The martyrs felt so much joy in meeting Christ and meeting those in heaven, and for them this was much more important than the joys of this earth. A special grace from God was given to them to allow them to bear the suffering, to protect them and to be steadfast in the faith. The lives of the Martyrs ended on this Earth but they continue with us in Heaven, they are alive and our best friends in Heaven. -Feeling lonely, call on St. Abanoub to be with you, he is young like you. -Feel scared, call on St. George, he is a soldier, he will protect you. -Feel sick, call on St. Mina the wonderworker, he is known to heal people. -Feel like it’s hard to stay pure in today’s world, call on St. Demiana or St. Philopateer to help you. -Feel lost or lose something, call on Anba Wanas, he has been known to find what you are missing. -Feel like you don’t fit in because you are Christian, call on St. Peter and St. Paul they left everything for our Lord Jesus Christ and followed Him and continued the faith everywhere. Many miracles have happened through the prayers and intercessions of these great saints and martyrs even until today. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE MARTYRS? Martyrdom proved the greatness of the Christian virtues. 1. Steadfast and endurance 2. Meekness (being humble, modest, quiet) 3. Love towards their enemies and prayer on their behalf as St. Stephen prayed for his persecutors (‘Lord do not hold this sin against them’) 4. Purity and holiness 5. Abhorring the worldly material and influences 6. The desire for the heavenly not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” Philippians 1:29 To the martyrs these virtues were witnessed in their actions, not just by their words. They accepted to live a holy life no matter what they had to leave behind. With God’s grace and following these virtues we too can be martyrs. Martyrs show us what it looks like to stand firm in not denying our Lord Jesus Christ. Our martyrs were the greatest examples of Christian virtues and those around them witnessed it and recorded their words and actions. Our martyrs offered the best witness to Christianity. They received the crown of Martyrdom by their love for Christ and many became Christians because of the martyrs. St. Augustine was once asked by someone, how he can be martyred if the era of martyrdom has passed. St Augustine told him, “if your heart has the same desire of the martyr then you are counted as a martyr. Having the desire of the martyr means that you have no desire or care of the world” We hear this in every liturgy: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” We are serving a real God who really loves us, who died for us and rewards us for standing for Him and leaving the things that stand in the way of Him, (a bad habit, bad relationship, sin etc.). HOW DO WE SHOW OUR LOVE TO THE MARTYRS? When we attend services in the church that celebrates their feasts, memorize and sing hymns that honor them, tell their stories to everyone, participating in the processions with their icons and relics. Every time we celebrate and make processions with their icons, and relics we remember that the martyrs were human beings like us, those martyrs kept their values and sacrificed their life. This teaches us to sacrifice ourselves to our values, honesty, sincerity and truthfulness in our lives. The martyrs loved God more than their personal lives, and they laid down their life for Him. You can read more about the lives of the martyrs in the Synexarium (the biography of the saints). The Coptic New year is also known as the year of the Martyrs, every day throughout the year we remember the beloved martyrs of the day. How can I experience the Life of Martyrdom as a youth living in the 21st Century? We are given the name of “Children of Martyrs”. Does this mean the church no longer brings up martyrs because the age of persecution and killing has passed? At least in the U.S.? How can we experience the same joy and eagerness our fathers and mothers experienced and earn the same honor of being called martyrs? I. Sacrifice out of Love for Christ After the period of persecution ended, the Christians began to experience what was called “white martyrdom.” This was because they no longer were sacrificing themselves for Christ by their blood, but were now sacrificing through monasticism. We are not all called to be monks or nuns, but this shows we can be martyrs through sacrifice. 1. Sacrifice of almsgiving and giving to the poor (mercy)? We renounce our possessions and lay up treasures in heaven 2. Sacrifice of peace? If I get into an argument with someone, can I put my own ego aside and make peace with my brother or sister? 3. Sacrifice of praise? Can I just praise and glorify God for who He is without always coming to him with a self-centered prayer only asking for my needs. Can I say to Him, “Thy will be done” rather than “My will be done”? 4. Sacrificing our time for His service? II. Realize that when we suffer or experience some kind of persecution because of our faith, that we are truly in fellowship with my Lord Jesus Christ Our Lord Jesus Christ was innocent and yet was numbered with the transgressors. He subjected Himself to scourging and to crucifixion. When your faith is tested and you undergo some kind of hardship, take comfort in knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ endured the same suffering. Have peace knowing that He is always with us in the midst of tribulation. III. The great blessings through the life of martyrdom
The church commemorates the martyrs. Their blood gives our Coptic Church its strength. We should love them, learn their stories and ask them to pray for us.
Have a Blessed Coptic New Year 1732
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