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Paula's avatar

When I first read about this several years ago, I was struck by the similarity of Matthew’s story to that of stories we hear about the early Church. It was amazing and inspiring to me to think that such things could still happen today when faced with such an end. Coptic Martyrs, pray for us!

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KA Byrnes's avatar

Very moving. Very powerful. We're blessed to know of these saints. Thank you.

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Bisbee's avatar

“Ya Rabbi Yasou!” This is the prayer that these blessed martyrs were praying along with a short version of the “Jesus Prayer.”

“Ya Rabbi Yasou” (Egyptian Arabic) “O my Lord Jesus!”

As the God-denying Muslims were beginning to brutally kill the first of the 21 martyrs the ones waiting took up this prayer.

Holy Martyrs of Libya, pray to God for us!

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Bridget's avatar

"Your people shall be my people

and your God, my God.

Where you die I will die,

and there be buried"

(I saw the verse quoted recently and so I am thinking of it).

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Sergius's avatar

Great story. Illuminating. Thank you.

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