What is it about?
This article looks at how the Coptic Church in Egypt remembers and honors the 21 men killed by ISIS in Libya in 2015. It explains how these modern martyrs are shown in icons, art, and church life as examples of courage and faith. The study shows that even today, the idea of holiness continues to inspire people, helping the Church connect ancient Christian traditions with modern events.
Featured Image
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study is important because it shows how faith, sacrifice, and holiness are still meaningful in today’s world. The story of the 21 Coptic martyrs connects ancient Christian traditions with modern experiences of persecution and hope. It reminds us that sainthood is not just a thing of the past but a living witness that continues to shape the identity and strength of the Coptic community and the wider Christian world.
Perspectives
While working on this study, I was deeply inspired by my conversations with modern Coptic artists who created the icons of the 21 Martyrs of Libya. Their devotion, creativity, and faith gave me a new understanding of how art can express holiness in today’s world.
Nebojsa Tumara
St Athanasius College, University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: “21 Martyrs of Libya”: Presenting Holiness in the Contemporary Coptic Church, IKON, January 2021, Brepols Publishers NV,
DOI: 10.1484/j.ikon.5.128317.
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