They Whispered Jesus as ISIS Raised the Blade: Church of England Finally Honors 21 Martyrs

Church of England Moves to Honor 21 Coptic Christians Executed by ISIS in Libya

The Church of England is taking a historic step toward adding 21 Christian martyrs to its official calendar of commemorations. The General Synod recently passed a "take note" motion recognizing the 21 men, 20 Egyptians and one Ghanaian, who were brutally murdered by ISIS in Libya in 2015.

The proposed feast day would fall on February 15, marking the anniversary of their execution. Additions to the Church's Common Worship Calendar are exceptionally rare, underscoring the significance of this decision.

The 21 men were migrant laborers working in Libya when the Islamic State terror group controlled the coastal city of Sirte. They were kidnapped and taken to a beach where they were executed on camera in a propaganda video intended to spread fear across the Christian world.

The men's steadfastness in the face of this brutal act has been widely recognised as a profound witness to the Christian faith.

According to Church officials, the men affirmed their faith with the supplication "O my Lord Jesus" as they met their end. What ISIS meant as a weapon of terror became an extraordinary testimony to Christian courage and perseverance.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has already formally recognized these men as martyrs and saints. A massive church dedicated to their memory was built in the village of Al Our in Upper Egypt, where most of the men originated.

The most recent addition to the Church of England's calendar was April 24, commemorating the Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood who were killed during civil unrest in the Solomon Islands in 2003.

Why the Church of England's Recognition of the 21 Libya Martyrs Matters for All Christians

The move by the Church of England represents a powerful moment of cross denominational solidarity. The Anglican communion recognizing Coptic Orthodox martyrs sends a message that the blood of the faithful transcends denominational boundaries.

If the commemoration is formally approved, it will join a small number of feast days added in recent decades, making it one of the most significant ecumenical gestures by the Church of England in modern history.

The Crusader's Opinion

These 21 men whispered the name of Jesus as blades were raised against them. They could have denied their faith and lived. They chose eternity instead. That is not weakness. That is the kind of iron resolve the modern Church desperately needs.

While Western Christianity debates seating arrangements and social media strategies, our brothers in the Middle East and North Africa are paying the ultimate price for the same Gospel we take for granted. Every denomination, Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, should know their names by heart. The fact that it took the Church of England a decade to even consider a commemoration is a scandal in itself. Recognize them. Remember them. And for the love of God, stop pretending that Christian persecution is some distant, abstract problem. It is the defining crisis of our generation.

Take Action

• Pray by name for the families of the 21 martyrs. Learn their names: among them were Milad Makeen, Abanub Ayad, Samuel Alham, and Hany Abdelmesih. Pray for the village of Al Our in Egypt.
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted Christians in North Africa and the Middle East.
• Support Open Doors USA which monitors and responds to Christian persecution in Libya and across North Africa.
• Contact your local church leadership and ask them to observe February 15 as a day of remembrance for the 21 martyrs of Libya, regardless of denomination.
• Write to the Church of England General Synod at churchofengland.org expressing support for the formal addition of the February 15 commemoration.
• Share the story of the 21 martyrs on social media. Their witness deserves to be known. Use the hashtag #21Martyrs to raise awareness.