The Names of the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya
Islamic State militants in Libya recently beheaded 21 Coptic Christians who had been kidnapped.
The Christians’ last words? “Ya Rabbi Yasou,” or “My Lord Jesus.”
While the Islamic militants beheaded the Christians on video, the leader said, “And we will conquer Rome, by Allah’s permission, the promise of our Prophet, peace be upon him.”
“They were killed simply for the fact they were Christians,” Pope Francis said of the violence. “The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard.”
“It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians! Their blood is one and the same. Their blood confesses Christ.”
According to Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, here are the names of the martyrs:
Milad Makeen Zaky
Abanub Ayad Atiya
Maged Solaiman Shehata
Yusuf Shukry Yunan
Kirollos Shokry Fawzy
Bishoy Astafanus Kamel
Somaily Astafanus Kamel
Malak Ibrahim Sinweet
Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros
Girgis Milad Sinweet
Mina Fayez Aziz
Hany Abdelmesih Salib
Bishoy Adel Khalaf
Samuel Alham Wilson
Worker from Awr village [name unknown at this time?]
Ezat Bishri Naseef
Loqa Nagaty
Gaber Munir Adly
Esam Badir Samir
Malak Farag Abram
Sameh Salah Faruq