Are there any contemporary witnesses to the faithful challenging death and to their joy and that of their families in the face of martyrdom?

A series of recent events — like the bombing of the entrance to the church at Sidi-Bishr, Alexandria — have manifested the clear consolation from God felt by the families of over twenty martyrs; and by those in the Church’s hospital who were critically wounded, yet did not so much as groan from pain despite in one case suffering burns to more than 85% of his body. We also witnessed children with crushed bones in their feet, standing and thanking God that they had been counted worthy to be wounded for the sake of the crucified Lord of glory.

Many people from nations across the world were deeply affected by the attitude of the martyrs of Libya. Those who killed them thought they were terrifying the Copts by publishing a video of their martyrdom; but the fruit of it turned out to be that so many people witnessed true love for God and the power of divine grace, and the hearts of many were opened up to love the Heavenly One. The world became aware of the Church of Martyrs. It is impossible to count the multitude of blessings this event bestowed upon the Church or the number of people who have been inspired to repentance all over the world because of recent events such as this.