BARTLESVILLE, OK — Christians around the world will observe Christian Martyrs Day on June 29, 2024. According to church tradition, this is the anniversary of the beheading of the Apostle Paul in Rome.
VOM honors persecuted Christians in Mosul, Iraq, on Christian Martyrs Day on June 29. In the summer of 2014, militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) advanced into Syria and northern Iraq. As they entered each village, they marked Christians’ homes and businesses with the Arabic letter “N,” or ن for “Nazarene.” More than 100,000 Christians were forced to flee. Separated from their loved ones, these courageous Christians refused to deny Christ.
In advance of Christian Martyrs Day, The Voice of the Martyrs has released strategic prayer resources and a video highlighting the Christians killed by ISIS in northern Iraq and Syria.
You can watch VOM’s video for Christian Martyr’s Day 2024 at vom.org/martyr.
“This year, VOM is focusing not on one person but on an entire group: Christians who lost their lives in northern Iraq and Syria when members of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) swept through that region ten years ago this month,” said Todd Nettleton, VOM vice president and spokesperson.
In 2014, ISIS members went door to door marking the homes of Christian families with the symbol “ن,” the Arabic letter “N” for Nasara, a term that means “follower of Jesus of Nazareth” among Muslims.
Christian families were given an ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay an exorbitant protection tax, flee for their lives or die. Some Christians refused to deny Christ, stayed and were killed for their faith. More than 100,000 fled, leaving everything behind.
Christians around the world showed their solidarity and support by displaying the symbol “ن”, thereby proving that they too were followers of Jesus. The sign, which was meant to mean submission, exile or even death, became a symbol of hope and courage worldwide.
“The purpose of Christian Martyrs Day is to help Christians remember and honor the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for the cause of Christ, and to be inspired by their example to sacrifice whatever it takes to see the Kingdom of Christ advance in our neighborhoods, our cities, and ultimately throughout the world,” Nettleton said.
VOM has developed a free digital resource kit to inspire your church, small group, class, or family to boldly witness for Christ. It can be downloaded at vom.org/martyr.
About The Voice of the Martyrs
Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, The Voice of the Martyrs is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization that helps persecuted Christians follow Christ in the world’s most difficult and dangerous areas. For more information, visit VOM.org.
CONTACT: Jon Wilke, 270-293-7818
For more news on Christian persecution and religious freedom in nonprofit/religious organizations, visit Missions Box.
