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Statement on the Martyrdom of Christians on Hosanna Sunday in Egypt

April 10, 2017

COLLEYVILLE, TX. April 10, 2017 -- A statement from His Grace regarding the martyrdom of Christians on Hosanna Sunday in Egypt.

With palms in their hands, hymns on the their lips, and peace in their hearts, new martyrs were ushered from their churches in Alexandria and Tanta into the Paradise of Joy on Hosanna Sunday, the day and feast of the Lord.

To all Christians, know that you are a light in the world, a source of good, and a means for peace. The whole world is under siege by an ideology of hatred—a cancer of the conscience. The same hands that skillfully designed weapons of harm could have discovered tools for cure. This violent act against Christians is because evil cannot coexist with good, darkness cannot overcome light, and hatred cannot befriend peace, but death cannot separate us from God.

"He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah 25:8).

All our churches and noble citizens throughout the world are praying for the peace and safety of all persecuted Christians, confessors, and martyrs. Holy Week is a time devoted to the Lord’s passion. At all times, the Lord loved. Even when afflicted and crucified, He loved. This is a time for prayer for the entire world.

We remain in prayer for the safety of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, all the confessors of the Christian faith, the families of the martyrs, and all the injured victims.

On behalf of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, I offer our deepest condolences to everyone afflicted by this sad day in Egyptian history.

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States