The martyrs are drawn from every continent and many Christian denominations and represent all who have been oppressed or persecuted for their faith. Among them are victims of Nazism, communism, and religious prejudice in the 20th century. They are, from left to right: St Maximilian Kolbe (Poland) - Manche Masemola (South Africa) - Janani Luwum (Uganda) - Grand Duchess Elizabeth (Russia) - Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (USA) - St Oscar Romero (El Salvador) - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Germany) - Esther John (Pakistan) Lucian Tapiedi (Papua New Guinea) - Wang Zhiming (China).
However, many more people were killed because of their faith and in the 21st century the number of martyrs continues to grow. So, in addition to recognising local saints in our communities across the world, it is prudent that we do not forget those who have been martyred for their faith. We will detail in the citations recorded under this heading, as many known documented martyrs from Christian backgrounds as we can find. Apologies if we miss some during this effort to record events, we would be grateful for any direction you may be able to give us on this matter.
Ragheed Aziz Ganni was an Iraqi Chaldean Catholic priest. On 3 June 2007, Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost, he was killed along with three subdeacons including his cousin Basman Yousef Daud, Wahid Hanna Isho, and Gassan Isam Bidawed in front of Mosul's Holy Spirit Chaldean Church, where he was a parish priest.
Ragheed Aziz Ganni was an Iraqi Chaldean Catholic priest. On 3 June 2007, Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost, he was killed along with three subdeacons including his cousin Basman Yousef Daud, Wahid Hanna Isho, and Gassan Isam Bidawed in front of Mosul's Holy Spirit Chaldean Church, where he was a parish priest.
Son Jong-nam was a North Korean defector and Christian missionary, who died in a Pyongyang prison after being arrested in 2006. Son was born in Chongjin, North Hamgyong. From 1973 to 1983, he served in the Korean People's Army as part of the presidential security service, rising to the rank of master sergeant; following his discharge, he began...
Gayle Williams was an aid worker for SERVE Afghanistan of joint British and South African nationality. She was shot on her way to work in Kabul, Afghanistan by two men on a motorbike. A spokesman for the Taliban, claimed responsibility for her death and said she had been killed "because she was working for an organization which was preaching...
In Libya, the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by jihadists prompted a global outpouring of grief and horror. The victims hailed from poor villages and went to Libya to work as labourers to send money to families back at home. But they died a gruesome death at the hands of militants who have sworn allegiance to the notorious Islamic...
