February 14 designated as a day of remembrance for Coptic Orthodox killed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt
February 14 designated as a day of remembrance for Coptic Orthodox killed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt
Coptic Orthodox Christians are asking their sisters and brothers in other churches to join in a day of prayer and remembrance February 14 following the January murders of six young Coptic Orthodox men in Nag Hammadi Egypt.
Seven people were murdered — six Coptic Orthodox Christians and a Muslim police officer — following a midnight Divine Liturgy January 7 in Nag Hammadi, Qena, in Upper Egypt. (The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas following the old Julian and Coptic Calendars.)
According to press reports, riots then erupted during the funeral processions for the six Coptic Orthodox seven victims of the massacre.
Bishoy M. Mikhail, Ecumenical Officer of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, Archdiocese of North America, wrote that the six young Coptic Orthodox men “died simply for being Christians.”
In a message to other Christians, Mikhail wrote: “My home parish, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Cleveland, will designate Sunday, February 14, 2010 as a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Coptic Martyrs of Nag Hammadi. I would humbly ask you and your churches to join us in this day with your prayers for the Christians of Egypt as a sign of solidarity and support. This day is the closest Sunday to the traditional 40 day memorial following their tragic murders.”