I hate posting about somber news, but I feel compelled to do my part to raise awareness.

This sort of persecution should be more widely documented in the West. In America many Evangelical Groups feel they themselves are being persecuted by more liberal Christians and political parties. Ironically while crying out for conservative practices in the face of persecution " in America, their Christian brothers and sisters in less fortunate lands are truly being persecuted, with violence and terror. For Christians in the West, the severity of the abuse done to the Coptic branch should be taken less lightly "as one of the first established Christian groups it is possible that without them, Christianity might not have spread as effectively in Europe in the first place.

Judyth Piazz

There was a recent drive-by shooting by three Muslim men outside St. Mary Guirguis Coptic Orthodox Church in Nagaa Hammadi, Egypt this past Coptic Christmas Eve (January 6) at 11:30pm. Six Christians were killed plus one Muslim guard and many more were injured.

Prior to the shooting, Bishop Kirollos of the Nagaa Hamadi Diocese received a threatening text on his phone; he also stated that local residents were threatened prior to the festivity. H.H. Pope Shenouda III has asked for calm in light of these attacks and prayer instead of retaliation.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those martyred and we pray that God may forgive those who commited this henious act.

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