The Feast of Nayrouz – The Commemoration of the Martyrs

The lecture speaks about the meaning of the Nayrouz feast as the feast of the commemoration of the martyrs, and provides a historical overview of the start of the Coptic calendar for martyrs from the year 284 AD and the era of persecution of Diocletian.

The martyrs’ status in the Church

The speaker clarifies that the martyrs have great honor in the Church, and are given precedence among the saints, and that many churches were named after them. The Church preserves their bodies and their hagiographies and cares for their families.

Models and examples of martyrdoms

He reviews many examples: Saint Stephen as the first deacon who was martyred, the apostolic fathers except Saint John the Beloved, cities like Esna and Akhmim whose people were martyred, the story of the mother Doulaji and her children, and groups like the Theban legion led by Saint Maurice.

The martyrs’ motives and characteristics

The martyrs were distinguished by deep faith and pride in being Christians, love for the other life, courage and strength in facing rulers, and many showed bold answers during their trials.

Effects of martyrdom on the community and the Church

Martyrdom became a spiritual force that strengthened faith, caused belief in some judges and rulers, and sometimes forced authorities to desist from persecution until the Edict of Milan in 313.

The effect of martyrdom on social groups

Martyrdom included all classes: men, women, children, monks and nuns, with stories of children like Abanoub and Julitta and saints like Demiana and Barbara.

Spiritual and educational dimensions

The speaker indicates that martyrdom revealed a special grace granting the ability to endure and patience, and that the Church prepared its children with faith, spiritual writings, piety, and virginity.

A practical message for the present

He concluded with an exhortation to possess the “mentality of the martyr,” meaning steadfastness and detachment from worldly attachments, and that whoever has this mentality is considered among the martyrs practically even if he was not killed as a martyr.

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