Patheos.com is reporting the writing of a new icon which acknowledges the official recognition of the 21 Coptic Christians who were beheaded by the Islamic State in Libya this month as martyrs of the faith.
In Western Christianity, icons are not an essential part of our worship. However, their beauty is hard to deny, and the topics they portray are essential to our faith. As Lutherans, we trust in Christ's promises and feel there is no real need to pray on behalf of the dead. They are, most assuredly, in God's safekeeping. But we do pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who suffer for their faith in Christ. This is happening right now in many, many places around the world. We pray for their oppressors. And we offer thanksgiving for countries like ours where we have the freedom to worship.
More on the icon and the 21 martyrs of Libya at:
Recognition of Martyrdom and a New Icon
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