Unidentified Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Martyred for Christ by Daesh

SCOOCH mourns the loss of a group of between 28 and 30 Ethiopian Christians identified by their captors as ” the followers of the Cross from the enemy Ethiopian Church” apparently murdered by Islamic militants in Libya.  12 of the men were shot in the head execution style, while (at least) another 16 were beheaded in a manner similar to the 21 Coptic Martyrs slain several months earlier.  A masked, gun-wielding representative of Daesh vowed that the group would kill Christians who declined to convert to Islam.

Abba Kaletsidk Mulugeta of the Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate has released a statement saying that the men were likely migrants hoping to reach Europe via Libya.  SCOOCH offers its sincere condolences to the Ethiopian Church and faithful and the families of the men.  Although the men have not yet been identified by the media, their names are surely known to our merciful God for whom they willingly shed their blood.  May God repose them in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and bring comfort to their loved ones.