St. Mina and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church

Wishing everyone a blessed Coptic New Year!

The first day of the blessed month of Thoout marks the beginning of the Coptic New Year and is the day set aside to celebrate the Feast of El-Nayrouz. On this feast day we honor those who stood and confessed their faith in the Word of God with firmness and commitment and with the totality of their lives.

The risen Lord sent His chosen disciples throughout the world with this message, "You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The disciples were the Lord's WITNESSES. "MARTYRS" is the Greek word for "WITNESSES." The early church thought of death as the complete and final act of witnessing. Thus the term "martyr" has come to be defined as one who witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ by dying for His name.

During the first four centuries, the Coptic Orthodox Church produced an overwhelming number of martyrs whose steadfastness and perseverance was an inspiration to all Christian believers. Martyrdom was a fact of life for those who confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Egypt, known as "the land of the martyrs," counted more martyrs in its midst than any other country in the world. Our early saints became legendary examples on how to be a faithful member of the Church. As early as May 8, 68 AD, St. Mark was slain on Monday following the glorious feast of Resurrection after being dragged from his feet by Roman soldiers all over Alexandria's streets and passageways.

The Copts have been persecuted by almost every ruler of Egypt. Being abused, tortured and martyred under the Romans, Byzantines, and the Moslems has only instilled dedication and courage to believers to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Upon studying Coptic persecutions, many have asked, "Why did the early Christians have to suffer?" The suffering of the Christians can be addressed with four Biblical scriptures. First, Philippians 1:19-20 tells us Christians have to suffer to glorify God. "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or death."

Secondly, they had to suffer to prepare for the eternal Kingdom. "Which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer" (II Thessalonians 1:5). Also Matthew 5:10-12 confirms this stating, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."