COR KIDS · ATHLETES OF CHRIST
Steadfast Faith
The quick story
The 21 Martyrs of Libya were men who had travelled away from home to work and provide for their families. Their story belongs to our own time: in 2015, they were killed in Libya because of their Christian faith. Faced with terrible danger, they continued to confess their love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Coptic Orthodox Church honours them together as martyrs. The word martyr means witness: their faith showed how deeply they belonged to Jesus. Their deaths brought sadness, but their faithful witness also encouraged Christians to trust Him. We remember them with love, and we pray for comfort for their families and for everyone facing violence.
Their story invites us to stay close to Jesus in our everyday lives. We can pray, tell the truth, and encourage a friend who feels alone. Faithful courage grows through loving choices. If something makes us feel frightened or unsafe, we can pray and tell a trusted adult who can help us.
Explore the life
PART 1
1. Working far from home
Before the world knew their story, these men had travelled to another country to earn a living and support their families. Their work was an ordinary expression of care for the people they loved. The Church remembers the people behind the number twenty-one.
PART 2
2. Faith in great danger
In Libya, violent attackers targeted them because of their Christian faith. They were killed in 2015. The Church remembers that, even in this terrible situation, they continued to confess Jesus Christ. Their story is told with sorrow for their suffering and respect for their faith.
PART 3
3. What is a martyr?
The word martyr means witness. In the Church, a martyr is someone who dies because of their faith in Christ. The title honours their faithful love for Jesus. It helps us understand why the Church remembers these men alongside martyrs from earlier centuries.
PART 4
4. Remembered together by the Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church honours the twenty-one as martyrs. The Southern United States diocese explains that recognizing martyrs as saints involves the approval of the Holy Synod, the council of bishops. Their shared witness has become part of the life and memory of the Church.
PART 5
5. A witness that encouraged others
A Coptic youth magazine written in 2015 describes how their faith strengthened other believers. Their story reminded people to take their own relationship with God seriously. It invites us to ask a gentle question: how can someone see the love of Jesus in my actions today?
PART 6
6. Remembering with compassion
As we learn their story, we can also pray for the people who loved them and for families affected by violence today. We can ask Jesus to comfort those who are grieving and help people live in peace. This is a prayer activity for us.
PART 7
7. Look closely at your card
The illustration presents all twenty-one men peacefully together. Count the three rows of seven. Each face reminds us that a group is made up of individual people. How can you help every person on your own team feel noticed and included?
PART 8
8. Your turn: faithful in small things
Choose one loving action for today: be honest about a mistake, keep a promise, or stand beside someone who feels left out. Pray for help before you begin. Courage also includes asking for help; tell a trusted adult whenever you feel unsafe.
Think about it
What does the word martyr mean, and how can we practise faithfulness to Jesus in everyday life?
Tap to discover the answer
Martyr means witness. The Church honours these men because they remained faithful to Jesus even when they were killed for their faith. We can practise faithfulness by praying, being honest, keeping kind promises, and caring for others. If we feel unsafe, we should ask a trusted adult for help.
Try it today
Pray for people who are frightened and for families who miss someone they love. Then choose one faithful action today: tell the truth, keep a kind promise, or encourage a friend. You could pray, "Lord Jesus, bring them peace and help me show Your love."
May the prayers of the saints be with us. Amen.