Hymn for the 21 Coptic Martyrs in Libya

Among the chorus of martyrs, /
We have intercessors, /
Before God, the Redeemer— /
The martyrs of Libya.

Wearing glowing crowns, /
Rejoicing in the heavens, /
In the Messiah’s bosom. /
The martyrs of Libya.

On Libyan lands, /
Our sons, the Egyptians, /
Honored all the Christians. /
The martyrs of Libya.

In it, our preacher, /
Saint Mark the Apostle, /
Was born in the old times. /
The martyrs of Libya.

They became partakers /
With him in martyrdom, /
And suffering bearers. /
The martyrs of Libya.

They migrated, hoping /
To work and progress /
And gain lawful wages. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Oppression and injustice /
Took hold of the cities /
Through evil doers, /
The martyrs of Libya.

They were abducted /
By masked cowards /
To then be slaughtered. /
The martyrs of Libya.

They kept them for days /
To renounce their faith, /
Instead, they accepted pains. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Twenty-one men waiting /
For death and rejoicing, /
Upon the shore, walking— /
The martyrs of Libya.

Confirmed in the faith, /
Lions standing in peace, /
Looking to the Lord of grace. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Shouting in a loud voice, /
Before all the peoples, /
Saying the name of Jesus, /
The martyrs of Libya.

On many waters, /
Their blood shed like rivers /
After their sacrifice. /
The martyrs of Libya.

The shameful criminals /
Slaughtered them with knives /
And brought tears to our eyes. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Like meek doves, /
Their souls flew above /
After their travails. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Without fear or disgrace, /
Steadfast in the faith, /
They endured like martyrs— /
The martyrs of Libya.

Martyrs of the Redeemer: /
Saint George and Saint Mina, /
Damiana and Marina. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Their stand against oppression /
Affected every man /
Living in every land. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Martyrs of the Gospel /
Whose blood gives revival /
And commemoration is a festival. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Permission was granted /
A church for them, was built, /
The martyrs of Christ. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Their church is now a shrine; /
Their life will be written /
In the book of the saints. /
The martyrs of Libya.

As Christians, we boast /
In our Egyptian saints /
Who became martyrs. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Egypt, our homeland, /
Took a strong stand /
Against the rule of terror. /
The martyrs of Libya.

O you who blessed water /
With the shedding of blood, /
Remember us above. /
The martyrs of Libya.

Pray for the transgressors /
Before God, the Helper. /
Our faithful Pope, remember. /
The martyrs of Libya.

The mention of Your name /
Is in all the believers’ mouths; /
They all say, “O God of /
The martyrs of Libya, help us all.”