VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Thursday announced that 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians beheaded by Islamic State in Libya in 2015 are being recognised as martyrs by the Vatican. | 11:08am
But the inscription of modern-day martyrs of another church in the Catholic liturgical calendar is a significant first, according to Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Vatican office responsible for relations with other Christian churches.This is the beginning of a new era of relations, Farrell said.The Vatican will likely designate February 15 as their feast day, the same day the Coptic Orthodox Church honours them, officials said.Tawadros was at the Vatican to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a historic meeting between his predecessor, Shenouda III, and St. Paul VI.
The 21 men were beheaded by ISIS on a beach in Libya on Feb. 15, 2015; the Pope received a relic of the martyrs’ blood as a gift from the Coptic Orthodox Chur.
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