Today we grieve with the Coptic Christians of Egypt after gunmen attacked a bus of pilgrims headed to St. Samuel the Confessor monastery. The New York Times called the attack “a coldblooded escalation of sectarian violence targeting minority Christians that has left more than 100 dead since December.”
For the Christians of Egypt
Oh people of conscience,
Cry out.
For G-d calls us to stand
With our Christian brothers and sisters.
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the ongoing attacks
Against Christians in Egypt.
Remember, too, those murdered
Throughout the Christian world.
Today we remember with sorrow the recent
Attack on pilgrims to St. Samuel the Confessor.
Their lives were cut off
In acts of aggression and hate.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
May they rest in peace.
Remember the survivors of this horror.
Grant them comfort and consolation.
Bless them with endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
Courage to heal,
And devotion to each other.
Oh G-d,
We implore You,
Look down upon the suffering
Of the Christians of Egypt.
Hold them close with Your mercy.
G-d of All,
With Your gentle and loving hand
Unite Your children
Under a canopy of peace.
Bring the light of salvation and healing
To the four corners of the earth.
© 2017 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: On April 9, suicide bombings killed 44 at two Coptic churches in Egypt. This prayer is based on for “Racist Violence against Houses of Worship” and my “Liturgy after Terror Attacks.”
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Photo Source: The New York Times