From the Events of History
The Desire for Martyrdom
What is remarkable about the martyrs is that they offered their lives for the sake of the faith with joy, feeling that through martyrdom the period of their sojourn on earth would come to an end, and that they would be released from the bonds of the body and matter to be with Christ, for that is far better.
Therefore, they desired death, and sometimes sought martyrdom. They presented themselves to the rulers without being arrested, and confessed Christ openly without being questioned, asking to receive the blessing of martyrdom.
Thirty thousand went out from Damanhur to Alexandria to receive the crown of martyrdom, chanting along the way and praising the Lord with joy.
Spiritual songs filled the prisons from the mouths of the martyrs during their imprisonment.
Because of their joy in martyrdom, we have seen instances of collective martyrdom, as happened in Akhmim, Esna, and with the martyrs of the Theban Legion…
All presented themselves: men and women, children and the elderly, without exception. The wealthy person possessing great riches was equal to the destitute poor person: all sought to meet God and desired the crown of martyrdom…
It is a wonderful image of the heart that loves death and does not fear it, looking toward the life that comes after it…
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, published in El-Keraza Magazine, Year Eight, Issue Thirty-Seven, September 16, 1977.
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