Tenth Anniversary of The 21 Libya Martyrs marked worldwide

10th Anniversary of the 21 Libya Martyrs marked worldwide with events in Washington DC, the City of London and the Palace of Westminster, Papal Messages from HH Pope Tawadros II and HH Pope Francis, screenings of ‘The 21’, and at Church House.

View the Official release via www.Refcemi.org

On 15 February 2025, the Coptic Orthodox Church worldwide commemorated the 10th anniversary of the martyrdom of the twenty-one Christians executed by the caliphate in Libya in 2015. Twenty of the martyrs were Coptic Orthodox Christians from Upper Egypt, with the twenty-first being their Ghanaian friend, Matthew. His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, and founder and Director of Refcemi, the Coptic Orthodox Office for advocacy and public policy, hosted and took part in a number of events marking this anniversary.

WASHINGTON DC 

(Photos will be available on ServingLondon.com via The Gallery)
During the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington DC on February 4 and 5, a special screening of The 21, a short animation directed by Tod Polson and produced by Mark Rogers and Mandi Hart, was viewed by attendees of the Summit, which included an extensive audience of Freedom of Religion of Belief advocates, faith leaders, policy makers and representatives from over 41 countries. His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos was part of an advisory committee that helped shape the overall narrative of ‘The 21’. The film can be viewed via www.The21Film.com. 

The Screening of The 21 was followed by a moving testimony by Abanoub, a nephew of three of the Libya martyrs, who said the following in his address:

“My name is Abanoub, and I am a Coptic Christian. In just a few days, the world will mark the 10th anniversary of the [murder] of the 21 Coptic Martyrs on a beach in Libya. This anniversary holds a personal weight for me. You see, three of those men were my uncles. It is not easy to speak of this loss, but it is necessary…through their sacrifice I am proud to stand here alongside my Coptic brothers and sisters and tell you we will always survive and never give up our right to bring glory to Christ’s name. This is what the Copts have always done. We have survived. We have endured, and we will continue to do so, simply because the cross we carry is stronger than the swords raised against us. 

Today, I ask you to remember the 21, not as victims, but as martyrs. Not as names on a list, but as witnesses of Faith...”
 

THE SANCTUARY, LONDON 

(Photographs via The Gallery on ServingLondon.com) 

On Monday 10 February, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London hosted an event at The Sanctuary, its ministry hub in the City of London featuring a number of addresses, a screening of ‘The 21’, and a special exhibition by artist Julie Scott who painted a piece especially for the commemoration entitled ‘Silently Waiting’. 

A welcome was given by Diocesan Vicar Fr Shenouda Asham, Papal Messages were received from His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, and His Holiness Pope Francis, and addresses were delivered by Producer, Mandi Hart, Richard Austen, Chairman of the Nikaean Club, The Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Philip Mounstephen, His Excellency Sherif Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt to the Court of St James, and His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom. 

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos said the following in his address:

“These 21 men have inspired me in so many ways. Even unto their last breath they did not seek pity or mercy, neither did they shout out in vengeance or anger. They chose to profess their Faith even until their very last breath. We are also inspired by their family members, those courageous women, mothers and sisters who chose to forgive, and who chose love and not hate. It was a privilege to share time in Egypt with these families, to pray with them and experience their remarkable, and for some, inconceivable, attitude of thanksgiving for the testimony of their brave martyrs.”

“The horrific video that was produced by the perpetrators of this mass murder was meant to frighten us. It was meant to scare us all into submission; to warn us and to change our course. Well, it did indeed change the course of the world, The tool that was supposed to have been the source of our weakness has become our strength. The source of our humiliation has become our pride; and the video that was supposed to dehumanise and commodify these men has forever made them our martyrs. Not just the martyrs of the Coptic Orthodox Church, but the martyrs of the global Church.”

The Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Philip Mounstephen gave a stark reminder that martyrdom is not unusual for Christians, saying the following:

“How should we react ten years on to those young men’s martyrdom? What I want to suggest to you today is that we should learn from them, and I want to suggest two things we should learn from them.

The first thing we should learn is that their experience, horrible and terrible though it was, is not unusual. The German theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar, writing nearly 70 years ago, in the wake of the Second World War, wrote this, “Persecution constitutes the normal condition of the Church in her relation to the world, and martyrdom is the normal condition of the professed Christian…

And the second lesson we should learn from those young men is that our commitment to Jesus Christ must be non-negotiable. Remember that those young men died with the name of the Lord Jesus on their lips. Far from renouncing their faith as was demanded of them, they died with His name on their lips.”

His Excellency, the Ambassador of Egypt, said the following in his address:

“The Church of the Martyrs, in their home Governorate Al Minya, in Upper Egypt, is named as such to keep their memory alive for generations of Egyptians; to remember their sacrifice and celebrate their courage. It will always stand as a symbol of our strong resolve and determination not to allow forces of darkness and hatred to prevail or even exist, if we can.”

Mandi Hart said the following in her address:

“Twenty-one anonymous men became globally renowned based on a brutal piece of propaganda produced by their killers. Six years ago, my business partner and I began a conversation about how their story could be more honourably and accurately told. We wanted especially to highlight the spiritual victory they won on the beach where they gave up their lives and we wanted the Coptic community’s involvement all the way through. More than anything, this is your story, and we were determined to maintain fidelity to your tradition in the making of the film and the final result.”

Richard Austen, who took part in an ecumenical pilgrimage to Egypt with His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos in 2019, said the following in his address:

“We were all struck by the steadfastness and determination of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt. Some of us may have expected to find a Church in decline, but the resilient faith of the Church coping with the challenges and tragedies of martyrdom and persecution was a real inspiration to us all. We were delighted to find that the Coptic Orthodox Church is very much alive as it rises above persecution.”

“Rather than going underground or seeking retribution or revenge it was clear that they are responding in faith and with love to those who seek to persecute them... The graciousness of the Coptic Christians and the daily living out of their faith was an inspiration to all of us.”

PALACE OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON 

(Photos will be available on ServingLondon.com via The Gallery)

On 11 February 2025, Refcemi, in conjunction with the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London, held a 21 Libya Martyrs event in The Palace of Westminster, hosted by The Lord Alton of Liverpool, Chair of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights. The event, which also included Papal Messages, the recorded testimony of Abanoub, nephew to 3 of the Libya martyrs, a screening of ‘The 21’, and an exhibition by Julie Scott, involved a welcome by Dr Ewelina Ochab, Deputy Director of Refcemi, and addresses by The Rt Rev, the Lord Bishop of Southwark, Bishop Christopher Chessun, The Lord Bishop of Winchester, an address from David Smith MP, UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Mandi Hart, and His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Director of Refcemi. 

The Lord Alton of Liverpool, Chair of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights said the following in his address:

“It is fitting that people have come to Westminster today to commemorate the twenty-one Christians who were so brutally murdered in Libya by insurgents from Isis. They were murdered, of course, simply for being the people that they were, people of a firm, clear Faith. They were doing no one any harm.

It brings home to me the importance of standing firm against those organizations that commit acts of terror.”

The Rt Rev, the Lord Bishop of Southwark, Bishop Christopher Chessun, said in his address:

“So it was on 15 February 2015, by the Mediterranean Sea in Libya, that twenty-one Coptic Christians refused to deny Jesus Christ and His Cross, and were beheaded. All were from ordinary backgrounds working to provide money for their families. A few words could have saved them from the sword, but they would not deny Him Who died for them. It has been very moving to see one of the early viewings of ‘The 21’ and our hearts resonate with the cry of the martyrs, Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy.

Tertullian, “the Father of Western Theology” is famous for saying at the end of the 2nd Century AD, what is often rendered as "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church" What can it mean? Tragedy certainly. A heroic example, yes. A call to work for a world that does not hate in this way, of course. But also, a call to us to witness likewise, hopefully not by the shedding of blood, but to take seriously our calling to be Christ’s ambassadors in the world and to be every bit as worthy of our calling as these saints and martyrs were of theirs. Indeed, we too are called to be faithful.”

The Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Philip Mounstephen spoke about the importance of continuing to address freedom of religion or belief violations (FoRB) worldwide, saying the following:

“According to the Pew Research, over 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with high or very high restrictions on religion, with Christians being the most widely persecuted group, facing restrictions in 144 countries.”

“So we can no longer say that the denial of Freedom of Religion or Belief is a sidebar issue for a special interest group, or that religious literacy is optional. These are huge issues that we face in the world today, and we have to be on top of them. The time for inaction and indifference is long over. That is why I believe, and will continue to argue, that FoRB ought to be central to our approach to foreign policy.”

The UK’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP said in his address:

“I know that the Church and religious groups generally, along with civil society and charities, very often do things that government, as important as it is, cannot do. Often when we get briefings, situations on the ground and so on, they come directly from church groups, religious groups, or charities working on the frontline, and so I want to thank you for all that you’re doing.”

“I know you are here to commemorate the lives of the Twenty-One and I wanted to come and offer my solidarity. This is a really important moment to remember. The horrors of what happened in Libya lead us to do all we can to prevent atrocities like that from happening again.”

“I really believe that our Government now cares deeply about this issue, but again, it is only in working together that we can achieve this across Government and civil society, across religions, and across the world. We must do this together.”

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos thanked Mandi Hart and the team at More Productions for their efforts in faithfully presenting the harrowing experience of the Libya Martyrs in the film ‘The 21’ as victors and not as victims; also thanking Julie Scott for her moving artwork, continuing his address with the following:

“We know that carrying our Cross as Christians is part of our journey, but it does not turn us into victims, it is actually our strength. It is our resilience. It is the core of our belief and the source of our courage, and tonight we remember the courage and resilience of those twenty-one men and their families.”

“These men are immortalised in our iconography, but they are also sons and fathers, uncles and brothers to many who live until today, and many of whom I met last year and I give thanks for…This, despite the tragedy of what has happened, is a day of joy and celebration, not over what happened, but for the way that those to whom it happened faithfully lived their lives, and chose to meet their end.”

GENERAL SYNOD, LONDON 

On Friday 14 February The Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Lord Archbishop of York, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, made the following mention during The Church of England General Synod in London:

“I want to give thanks for the freedom that we have to gather here as a Synod and the freedom that we have to worship in our churches week by week, because I was yesterday reminded by our dear brother Archbishop Angaelos that this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the twenty-one Christians who were martyred in Libya, all but one of them members of the Coptic Church that he serves. They were, in life, like each of us, a member of a denomination, but in death they were Christians, and they were simply followers of Jesus Christ; and it was for that they were killed. In remembering them, and I hope you will remember them in your churches and in your prayers this weekend, it is a sober reminder of the persecution that still exists for many of our sisters and brothers in Christ across the world, and the price that they pay for their witness to the Gospel.”
 

*Ends*

You can view this report online via www.Refcemi.org and www.CopticMediaUK.com. All media relating to these events will become available and signposted on www.ServingLondon.com in due course. 

More information:                                         

The 21 Short Animation: Watch and find out more via https://www.the21film.com . Read more about the private screening of The 21 at The Sanctuary in London on 27 August 2024 here

Contemporary Martyrs Day: On 15 February each year, the Coptic Orthodox Church worldwide commemorates the lives of its contemporary martyrs, while also marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of the 21 executed by ISIS in Libya on 15 February 2015. Contemporary Martyrs Day is an opportunity to give thanks for the lives of those who faithfully practiced their Christian Faith until their last breath, while at the same time raising awareness of the ongoing plight of all those who are persecuted solely on the basis of faith or belief, and advocate for those whose voices are not heard.            

Refcemi is the Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy, find out more via www.Refcemi.org 

Press Release: Response of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom to the proposed ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’

 

Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy 

27 November 2024

The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom issued a response, commissioned by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, to the proposed 'Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill' ahead of its second reading in Parliament on Friday 29 November 2024.

Speaking into this matter, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos said:

“Our society is in much need of solutions that support and promote wellbeing, health, and life as a whole. Our healthcare and legal systems are already stretched. People are working tirelessly in every facet of society to support their loved ones and the community at large, and so it is our individual and collective responsibility to speak robustly into the debate on assisted suicide.

We must strive to find ways to support people in their pain and to ease their struggles, rather than give in to the narrative that the ending of life is a solution, or indeed the only solution. If we do not reaffirm the sanctity of life at every opportunity, vulnerable people will inevitably be influenced to make irrevocable decisions that will undoubtedly lead to even greater loss to our already injured world. It is time to focus on what can be done better, and to spend greater effort and resources on the safeguarding of life itself.”

*Ends* 

Official response from The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom below:

Response of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom to the proposed ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’

November 2024

The legalisation of assisted dying has been debated on a number of occasions in the United Kingdom. However, active consideration is now taking place to introduce a law which legalises the killing of another human. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (“the Bill”), which Parliament is considering in November 2024, must be taken seriously and critiqued rigorously. 

The first and most concerning aspect of campaigns for the Bill is the use of sanitised language to avoid reference to what is essentially assisted killing or, more precisely, assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia. Despite the avoidance of such language however, it is clear that this is the issue at hand since the proposed Bill expressly legislates a carve-out from criminalisation under the Suicide Act 1961 to end the lives of terminally ill patients (section 24).

More importantly, continued debate on this matter highlights the terrible anguish and suffering people are experiencing around an issue which cuts deeply into the value and sanctity of human life, suffering and autonomy. Most significantly, the discussions pose a fundamental question that the Coptic Orthodox Church (“The Church”) implores all to contemplate, and that is, ‘Is there such a thing as a life not worth living?’

Our perspective is based not only on our Christian values, but also on our experience as a community constituted largely of practicing medical professionals in the United Kingdom, that is also connected to our international network of churches, including in the United States of America and Canada, where we can see the dangerous consequences of such policies.
 

Sanctity of Life

The Bill flies in the face of long-established jurisprudence concerning the sanctity of human life, dating back from the common law to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The “Right to Life” is considered an absolute right without qualification. This principle and understanding is born out of moral, ethical and religious belief that every individual’s life is precious and that the state is duty-bound to protect such life. 

This cornerstone of governing laws is held dearly and deeply in the Orthodox Christian Faith, through which human life is viewed as a reflection of God’s mysterious being, as “God said. ‘Let us make mankind in our image…’” (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, to terminate or take one’s own life is particularly significant because it is a profound violation of God’s own image.

Therefore, The Church does not assess the value or worth of human life as contingent upon abilities, achievements or physical health but on the inherent dignity bestowed upon all as  the depiction of God. Every individual is seen as an irreplaceable self-portrait of the Creator, whose value cannot be diminished by illness or suffering. The Church believes in the further elevation of humanity through the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Logos, and as such, holds every human life as sacred and worthy of protection.

The Bill undermines this inherent dignity and value of life upon which governing laws lie. The dignified death that the Bill wishes to advance is unlikely to match the reality of what will occur. The value of life will further diminish, as it is inevitable that over time, the Bill and its remit to capture more individuals seeking to end their lives will increase. In time, there will be an extension to the six-month time limit, as has occurred in the Isle of Man, by those who will argue that there are also those suffering from terminal illnesses for whom the prognosis is longer than six months and therefore should be afforded the same rights set out in the Bill.

Under this proposed Bill, Assisted Suicide could potentially be considered legally discriminatory if other patient cohorts which are not terminal are excluded from accessing such assistance. For example, in the State of Oregon in the USA[1], the term ‘terminal’ has been expanded to include cases of anorexia and diabetes to permit access to assisted suicide. Canada has also passed a law[2] to have a sole diagnosis of mental health as grounds to offer assisted suicide, having formerly had the same strict criteria this Bill is proposing.

It is for these reasons that The Church opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide, but certainly not without recognising the immense pain and suffering people are experiencing, leading some individuals to contemplate taking such drastic and irreversible measures. It is a suffering that the Church wishes to address with deep empathy and compassion and where possible, action. 

Fear of Suffering and Vulnerability

A primary argument for the legalisation of assisted suicide is rooted in compassion and the desire to alleviate suffering by ending life. While this perspective appeals to the human impulse to ease pain, modern medical advancements now provide effective means to manage physical suffering safely.

The focus of these discussions has shifted toward autonomy and the asserted right of individuals to determine the time and circumstances of their death. With increased economic hardship and welfare pressures, individuals may well make decisions because they do not wish to burden their families or society. Such decisions will not only have motives that will be difficult for doctors to detect, but will also diminish the value of life. The data from the State of Oregon and from Canada highlights that there is a disproportionate number of individuals seeking to access assisted suicide who come from difficult financial and social backgrounds. This will therefore introduce a danger that those who seek assisted suicide may do so as a result of poverty or lack of support from society.

These fears and concerns highlight the need for a deeper exploration of the human experience, the meaning of suffering, and the value of interdependence within a spiritual and societal context. Dame Cicely Saunders (1918-2005), an English nurse, social worker, physician and writer who is noted for her work in terminal care research and her role in the birth of the hospice movement, emphasising the importance of palliative care in modern medicine, and opposing the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia, described this as having a profound fear of ‘total pain’, which encompasses physical, emotional, relational and spiritual aspects and addresses concerns over indignity and loss of independence. 

Autonomy and Dependence

Suffering reveals the limitations of human autonomy and addresses a reality that demands us to release control. Through a proper understanding of the experience of suffering, we appreciate vulnerability and dependence on others, but most importantly, for those who believe, on God. In a culture that prizes independence, accepting one’s reliance on others can be countercultural, yet it is profoundly human.

We are born as entirely dependent beings. As we grow, we see others depend on us, and as we progress in age, we find that we must rely on others once more. We have been designed to carry each other through the cycle of life, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

This shared journey of interdependence is not a source of shame but a reflection of God’s design for humanity. To serve one another is a commandment requiring our obedience. A commandment that reaps blessings, strengthens our relationships, and nurtures love in our communities. 

A Strain on Doctors and the National Health Service

The Bill places doctors into several difficult moral, ethical, and professional dilemmas. It requires doctors to go against the very essence of their profession, which is to save lives rather than to proactively end them. 

Doctors will need to make a complex judgement and assessment of an individual’s illness: that it is terminal and likely to end the patient’s life within six months. It does not guide the doctor on how likely this should be and whether this depends on the availability of any other treatment that a patient does not wish to go through. There are various specialisations within medical health care, and the Bill does not indicate whether the two doctors who concur with the prognosis need to specialise in the specific illness classed as terminal.

The Bill also requires doctors to make a judgement affecting life or death for which they have no professional qualifications or training. Namely, to determine that the individual has reached a clear, settled and informed wish to end their own life and has made this decision voluntarily, without being coerced or pressured by any other person. This is a subjective ‘judgement call’, not associated with the doctor's profession, and without guidance as to what enquiries the doctor makes to satisfy themselves of this position.

While the Bill also tries to make provisions for doctors who do not wish to assist in ending life under Section 23 by providing that there is no legal obligation on any doctor to follow the Bill, this is not in fact the case. The Bill obligates a doctor who refuses or is unwilling to have such a discussion with an individual to make a referral to a doctor who is willing to do so, should the patient make such a request (Section 5(3)). In so doing, the doctor remains involved in the process of assisting in the death of an individual. Consequently, doctors who have a moral, ethical or religious dilemma with assisted suicide cannot conscientiously object to involvement in the process.

Not only does the Bill expect vulnerable people to conduct sound reasoning in a situation where they know they are terminally ill, but physicians are also permitted to raise the prospect of assisted suicide with their patients. That, in itself, risks intentional or unintentional coercion by the physician due to the power imbalance between a professional physician and vulnerable patients with a terminal diagnosis. Such an acceptance will have an irreversible impact on the doctor-patient relationships and trust upon which it is founded.

A Strain on the National Health Service and Legal System

In addition to the immense strain on doctors, the National Health Service is currently in a dire state, and the court system, which is also presently stretched, does not have the infrastructure to carry out the requirements of the Bill. 

The Bill also states that doctors are required to stay with patients until they die. Evidence has shown that this could take days in some instances. This is just one aspect in which implementing this Bill would stretch the resources of the NHS and take away from an already overstretched system, severely impacting other life-sustaining care. Such measures can only escalate the suffering and pain of people whom society is trying to care for.

The Bill also seeks to implement further safeguarding measures by using High Court or Court of Appeal judges who face the same complex moral, ethical and professional dilemmas as the doctors. Within a legal system which is currently under extreme pressure, it is difficult to expect that judges will find the expedited time and space to listen to hearings carefully, summon individuals as necessary, and reach and publish reasoned decisions within the required time. 

Palliative Care

The care for the vulnerable and suffering has been integrated into society through Palliative Care. Established by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967, Palliative Care of the dying patient intends to neither accelerate the death process nor prolong it. It is, instead, to allow death to occur naturally and to concentrate on using the last few hours, days or weeks to the maximum. In the words of Dame Cicely Saunders, “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

This was achieved by addressing the fear of ‘total pain’. Physical aspects were dealt with through the right balance of safe painkillers. Relations would be contacted, and relationships restored on behalf of patients. Emotional comfort was addressed through therapy, counselling, and friendship. Finally, spiritual comfort was addressed with a chapel at the centre of the first Hospice, St Christopher’s, enabling beds to be easily wheeled in at any stage of illness.

It is worrying and saddening that Palliative Care, which Britain was the first to pioneer and aided in the establishment of globally, is currently so underfunded by His Majesty’s Government, and is currently predominantly financed by charitable organisations. Accordingly, we would urge prioritisation across the United Kingdom for access to the Palliative Care system.

Pastoral Care

The Church serves its flock with a holistic approach, considering not only the spiritual wellbeing of a person, but often dealing with the various challenges that affect people on a number of levels: mentally, emotionally and financially, among others.
 

Pastoral care is core to the Church’s ministry, and it deals firsthand with those who have wished at times to end their lives for a variety of reasons. Those same people give testimony today of how thankful they are that they did not. We have numerous examples of people who now live vibrant and fruitful lives as a result of seeking and/or receiving support at the height of their pain and vulnerability. Pain is not always the enemy, and often leads to life-saving transformations that are not insignificant or to be ignored. 

Dying Well

We must take time to contemplate the concept of dying well. It can be a time to receive and offer forgiveness, mend relationships and strengthen relations through the openness of the heart. It is an opportunity to be thankful for the smaller things surrounding our lives. Lastly, it is a time to prepare for and transition into the next step of our journey of life, with a focus on a joyous and pain-free life to come. It is for these reasons that the Church stands firm in its view that death in human beings should not be hastened, but left to take its natural course where it can. 

This also gives the individual time to be ministered to, and to recognise that death is not to be feared. By the grace of God and His love for humankind, He has transformed death into a gateway to a new reality of everlasting life, remembering the words of Saint Paul, “…the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Conclusion

This proposed legislation is being rushed without proper consultation or reflection on the consequences. Given its gravity, a private member bill should not be used to introduce such legislation without due time for consideration and debate.

Rather than offering expedited death as a solution, the Church advocates addressing the deeper issues in our society, as outlined by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, on this matter:

“Our society is in much need of solutions that support and promote wellbeing, health, and life as a whole. Our healthcare and legal systems are already stretched. People are working tirelessly in every facet of society to support their loved ones and the community at large, and so it is our individual and collective responsibility to speak robustly into the debate on assisted suicide.

We must strive to find ways to support people in their pain and to ease their struggles, rather than give in to the narrative that the ending of life is a solution, or indeed the only solution. If we do not reaffirm the sanctity of life at every opportunity, vulnerable people will inevitably be influenced to make irrevocable decisions that will undoubtedly lead to even greater loss to our already injured world. It is time to focus on what can be done better, and to spend greater effort and resources on the safeguarding of life itself.”

We call for the strengthening of the understanding of the value of all human life, the encouragement of supportive communities, and investment in vital end-of-life care. We encourage people to hear, comfort and be present with those suffering at their most vulnerable time to alleviate suffering, rather than eliminate the sufferer. 

The acceptance of assisted suicide and euthanasia is the acceptance of a life that is not worth living. For the reasons set out, we urge everyone to consider the seriousness, reality, implications and practicalities of what is being put forward. We pray that society does not succumb to the hopelessness in accepting a choice that leads to no more choices. Every life is worth living until it becomes a life well-lived.

    

[1] Death with Dignity Act, 1997 as amended

[2] Medical assistance in dying (MAID), 2016 as amended

For further information please contact Communications@Refcemi.org , www.Refcemi.org 

Messages received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

 

Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church
United Kingdom

Press Release and Report

Messages received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

17 October 2024

Messages for His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, and the Coptic Orthodox Community, were received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Most Reverend Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis, and The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister, as the 12^th anniversary of the annual Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) Service was held in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey on 15 October 2024.

The annual service officially marks the beginning of the Coptic New Year, which is celebrated annually in the Coptic calendar on 11 September. The event serves to celebrate new beginnings and life, while commemorating the saints and martyrs of the Coptic Orthodox Church who, since the first century, lost their lives for remaining steadfast in their Faith. The commemoration also allows the Coptic Orthodox community to use its heritage of experience with religious persecution to advocate for people of all faiths and none, through Refcemi, its advocacy and public policy office, and to raise awareness of the plight of so many across the world who suffer violations of religious freedom.

A welcome was given by The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster, on behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, followed by a prayerful vespers service which included a sermon from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos. The vespers service was followed by addresses that touched on the importance of faith and defending religious freedom worldwide. Addresses were given by The Lord Speaker, Dr Ewelina Ochab, Deputy Director of Refcemi, Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, Mervyn Thomas CMG, Founder and President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Chair of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum, The Lord Alton of Liverpool, and The Lord Khan of Burnley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith, who also read the Prime Minister’s message.

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, said the following in his welcome:

“Your presence and this service stand as a witness to the way in which the whole Body of Christ seeks to work together and uncover that unity and that showing forth in the world of the light of Christ, even though in times and in many parts of the world there are the shadows of darkness. The martyrs of the 20th century are immortalised on the West face of Westminster Abbey, and of course, as we gather here, we remember those of the 21st century, not least those martyred in Libya from the Coptic Church.”

In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Founder and Director of Refcemi, drew parallels between the advocacy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the calling to all to advocate for one another, saying:

“We are all as individuals called to change the world. We need to walk away from the culture that breeds self-indulgence, self-interest, and self-focus so that we become those who can then consider one another, empathise and advocate for one another as we are all bearers of the image and likeness of God."

“The Incarnate Word, God in flesh feels our pain. He instructs us to feel one another's pain. He instructs us to put others before ourselves, because that is indeed what God has done for us in the Incarnation; and that is what we are called to do.”

“Today is also a celebration of something that is incredibly important, it is a transformation of pain to power, because when we look at our own pain, when we feel it, when we understand it and we channel that pain into ensuring that others do not feel it, then we start to heal. If we dwell in our own pain, if we continue to thrive on that feeling of victimhood then we are disempowered, we are weakened and we become insulated to the pain and suffering of others.”

His Eminence concluded by speaking about the advocacy work of Refcemi:

“We out of our pain, advocate for others. Through our advocacy office Refcemi, we speak for the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Uyghurs in China, the Yazidis in Iraq, the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan, the Baha’is in Iran, Christians in Nigeria and North Korea and around the world. That is not an exhaustive list because there is much that we must do. We must indeed acknowledge our own pain, and by acknowledging it, we must be able to feel the pain of others and try to relieve it.”

“We must speak, we must act, we must be those, as we heard from today's Gospel, who do all that we have been instructed to do. To preach a gospel of hope, to heal the broken heartedness of war and conflict, to proclaim liberty to those who are captives of that same war and that same conflict, to pray sight upon those who may be blinded by power and injustice and self-interest. To advocate liberty for every person as long as they are respecting the liberty of others, and to bring forth a light of hope and joy.”

The message of His Majesty King Charles III to His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos and the Coptic Orthodox Church community for the occasion read:

“On this day of reflection, I wish to express my heartfelt admiration for the strength and solidarity of your community. The spirit of forgiveness and the enduring values of humanity that you uphold serve as a shining example to us all, reminding us of the vital importance of unity and partnership.

As you look ahead to the coming year, I extend my most sincere hopes that it will be filled with peace, hope, and blessings for all present, as well as for the Coptic Orthodox Church community here in Britain and across the world.”

In his message, Archbishop Justin said:

“I pray that the Lord will continue to pour out his blessings on you and your Church. Yours is an ancient Christian tradition which has endured much suffering over the years, and yet has survived and thrived, even in the most difficult of circumstances, and in the very different conditions of migration and diaspora. What a witness you and your people are to the enduring love of God!”

His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio presented the message from His Holiness Pope Francis, which read:

“His Holiness Pope Francis, informed of the Service Commemorating the Coptic Feast of Nayrouz to take place at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, on Tuesday 15th October 2024, sends his greetings of good wishes to all gathered for this occasion, remembering as he recently remarked, that “the true driving force [of Christian Unity] is the Holy Spirit Who guides us toward greater communion…This unity is a gift whose timing and manner we cannot foresee and grows through the mutual service through the dialogue of life and through the cooperation of all Christians”. The Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic blessing to all participating in the Service and, through the intercession of the Mother of God, invokes an abundance of Divine graces.”

 The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister included the following in his message to His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos:

“I am grateful for the faithful witness and constant compassion of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom. Your congregations pursue social justice, care for the vulnerable and enrich their local communities in so many ways. I am particularly thankful for the role of the Coptic Orthodox Church in promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief. I recognise that the history of your community has been marked by terrible persecution and applaud your constant efforts to reduce the numbers of people around the world who suffer similar oppression today, as a result of their religious affiliations or personal beliefs.”

Dr Ewelina Ochab spoke of the work of Refcemi in advocating for people suffering gross violations of their religious freedom, saying:

“The Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy was established out of a need to accommodate difficult conversations, and out of a need for cooperation and collaboration. The need to listen, speak and impact. Refcemi does this work with partners around the world, not only here in the UK with the UK FoRB Forum among other partners, but across the world.”

The Lord Speaker said the following in his heartfelt address:

“We cannot come together and celebrate this new year in this festival of Nayrouz without recalling the earliest days of the Coptic Church. In AD 284 in the time of Emperor Diocletian, Christians were persecuted. They suffered for their Faith but today we recall that their sacrifice made the Coptic community possible. They are honoured and remembered because of their faith in God and their belief in redemption.”

“In parliament we count among our numbers many great figures of all religions who have strived to end religious persecution. It is Faith itself which brings them together and allows them to do such crucial work. So let us resolve in this new Coptic year to be guided by such examples. To care for all humanity, to debate with grace and humility, to always love one another and to pursue justice without fear.”

Henrietta Blyth spoke about the National Week of Prayer that takes place from 12-20^th October 2024 across the Nation, and called people to gather to pray for those suffering across the world, saying:

“We can give in practical ways. As the Archbishop has said, we can speak out on behalf of our brothers and sisters who cannot speak out for themselves, but perhaps most importantly, we can pray. Brother Andrew, who was the founder of Open Doors who died a couple of years ago, said that prayer is the real battle. He said our prayers can go where we cannot. There are no borders, no prison walls, no doors closed to us when we pray. That's why it is such a delight that this year, this Nayrouz service forms part of the National Week of Prayer.”

Mervyn Thomas CMG in his address said:

“The list of challenges across the world which threaten freedom of religion or belief is long and of course there's a role for governments. There's a role for parliamentarians, but there's also a role for civil society and I believe all three of those groups need one another in the fight for freedom of religion or belief around the world. 

Across the world, civil society actors such as human rights defenders, journalists, religious leaders, activists, NGO's and community leaders are using civic space to champion initiatives that strengthen freedom of religion or belief and challenge violations of this fundamental right.”

The Lord Alton of Liverpool spoke in detail in his address regarding known violations worldwide, and called for more action, saying:

“Tragically, as we've been hearing from Mervyn, Henrietta and Ewelina, all over the world there continues to be no shortage of men and women whose blood continues to be spilled because of their faith. I've seen recent analysis which found that there are currently 61 countries with combined populations of over 4.9 billion people in which severe violations of religious freedom exist.”

He concluded by saying:

“So this Nayrouz, I hope we will make a New Year's resolution to listen far more carefully to communities like the Copts, the Chaldeans, and the Armenians, the Assyrians and others who have paid such a high price for the things that we take for granted, and have so much to teach us. We must listen but we must also speak and act in solidarity. Those words of His Eminence this evening ‘we are all called to change the world’ should be the words that we take away from this Nayrouz ceremony.”

The Lord Khan of Burnley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith said the following in his address:

“This evening celebrates the British Coptic community and recognises their efforts to aid those experiencing hardship around the world as well as your longstanding commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in UK society. These acts of kindness and generosity embody the values we should all strive for. The Coptic community is a blessing to the UK society, and we welcome your contribution to our local and national life. As the new year begins, we embrace a fresh start, look ahead with hope and express gratitude for our families, friends, and life’s simple blessings, including the freedom to worship and practise beliefs without fear, rights denied to millions worldwide. I pay tribute to the Church and to you, Your Eminence, for your passionate advocacy for persecuted minorities and global religious freedom.”

He went on to say:

“Faith and belief must remain central to our national conversation as we confront these challenges together. Faith identity is crucial for many, and understanding this aspect of individual and community life is essential for effective governance and fostering cohesion. I see much of my role as Faith Minister as championing the invaluable work being done by people across the country who are inspired by their faith.”

At the end of the service, and on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos was presented with a gift of a Coptic icon depicting the Prophet Nehemiah written by Coptic Iconographer Fadi Mikhail. During the presentation, Fr Shenouda Asham, the Diocesan Vicar, thanked His Eminence on behalf of the whole diocese for his tireless ministry to the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom and around the world, and also made mentioned of his efforts in championing the cause of religious freedom for people of all faiths and none.

In his final word of thanks Archbishop Angaelos made special mention of the Diocesan Choir who beautifully chanted ancient melodies in Coptic and English during the service, and of the wonderfully dedicated stewards and volunteers who contributed to the welcoming atmosphere and success of the evening.

Reflecting the tapestry of cultural heritage in the United Kingdom, attendees to this year’s Nayrouz service included Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, ecumenical and interreligious guests, as well as members of the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community in the United Kingdom.

*Ends*

Resources

Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy www.Refcemi.org

Audio will be made available via www.Soundcloud.com/ArchbishopAngaelos

Press Releases and Statements can be found via www.CopticMediaUK.com

Archbishop Angaelos on X @BishopAngaelos