21 Coptic Martyrs

Gordie Thomas on September 12, 2016

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The video released by the murderers is available on this website.

http://shoebat.com/2015/02/15/watch-video-isis-savages-beheading-twenty-one-coptic-christians-saw-martyrs-beheaded-name-jesus-fulfilled/

I DO NOT ENDORSE THE WEBSITE, but it is the best source I have found for the video. "May Their Memories Be Eternal!"

In Album: Icons of The Saints

Categories: Saints

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4/5

Gordie Thomas

This is a very new icon of the "21 Coptic Christians" (20 Egyptians and 1 African) who were beheaded at the sea in Libya by ISIS. This is the Twitter feed of the iconographer: https://mobile.twitter.com/TonyRezk/status/569558890305748992 Here is the unoffici... View More

November 30, 2016

Anastaziia Anastaziia

Thanks. It would explaint the coptic style as well. It's great <img src="http://orthodoxcircle.com/file/pic/emoticon/default/smile.png" alt="Smile" title="Smile" title="v_middle" />

1 November 30, 2016

Anastaziia Anastaziia

Do you know the meaning of any of the symbolism in the icon- namely the colours of the robes (red- martyrdom)? The symbols are different to Eastern-style icons. The crowns of martyrdom is clear but are there others?

1 November 30, 2016

Gordie Thomas

Yes, although I don't know this for certain, it would seem consistent that the red would actually be priestly vestments over golden robes; the red signifying the blood of martyrs and gold being the color of virtue. Christ Jesus, welcoming the new members of The Church Triumphant is also ... View MoreYes, although I don't know this for certain, it would seem consistent that the red would actually be priestly vestments over golden robes; the red signifying the blood of martyrs and gold being the color of virtue. Christ Jesus, welcoming the new members of The Church Triumphant is also wearing a red vestment, but a white robe, associated with purity. 20 Egyptians and 1 "African" (I don't know which country he was from) were martyred, which explains the one man with darker skin than the others. To me, the most striking "story" feature of this icon is the red color of the sea at the shore, turning to blue further out to sea. In the photos and videos released by ISIS, the blood of the martyrs can clearly be seen turning the waters of the Mediterranean Sea red. Then the heavens (stars) opening up with Christ Jesus and "meeting" the sea, so important to us as Orthodox Christians, especially at Theophany and The Great Blessing of Water. Holy water used by priests blesses the waters of the world, following the example of the Great Blessing of Water at Christ's baptism, as The Creator humbled Himself to allow His creation (St John The Forerunner) to submit Himself to His Creation (the waters). So the blood of the martyrs was by grace a Great Blessing of Water, and Christ meets the martyrs where they triumphed in their deaths. Worth noting I think: Most icons would show Christ holding his fingers to give the priestly blessing. Here it appears that the open hand is directing the angles to bestow the crowns of martyrdom, for angels themselves have not authority to do so save that which they are given by God. I'm probably overthinking this, as with all icons, it is best viewed as a window into the heavenly realms and not simply a depiction of events. All together, it points our finite minds towards what some call "a revealed mystery". I hope I've been helpful, and I'm quite willing to be corrected by others.

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1 December 1, 2016