India: Christians mark "Day of the Martyrs"

Members of an ecumenical forum donated blood in Bhopal and held prayer sessions in other parts of Madhya Pradesh state on Aug. 25 to pay tribute to those who have died in anti-Christian violence. The blood donation “is our simple gesture to remember the great sacrifices” Christians have made, “especially in Orissa,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in the central Indian state.

Aug. 25, 2008, was the day that extremist Hindus killed the most Orissa Christians in violence that began the day before and continued for seven weeks.

The Christian community “is very sensitive to the sacrifice of each victim,” and the special events held on Aug. 25 were meant to continue their spirit, Archbishop Cornelio added.

The prelate said that although the Catholic Church in India has not officially declared a “martyrs’ day,” it respects the intention of Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (grand assembly of Christians in Madhya Pradesh), which wants to observe Aug. 25 as Indian Christian Martyrs’ Day.

Father Anand Muttungal, coordinator of the lay forum, said Christians across Madhya Pradesh conducted prayers to pay homage to all Christian martyrs in India from the time of Saint Thomas the Apostle. According to tradition, the saint arrived in the year 52 and established Christian communities in southern India before being martyred near Chennai 30 years later.

Father Muttungal said some Christians in Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh capital, donated blood as a “real tribute” to those who sacrificed their lives to spread the Christian message of love.

Joshi Kurisungal, president of the ecumenical forum, affirmed that Christianity was built on the blood of martyrs.

He said his group decided to conduct their commemoration on Aug. 25 “to pay special tribute” to all in the country who gave their lives for the faith.

The lay leader explained that the group wants the Church to declare an Indian Martyrs' Day, preferably on Aug. 25.

Sheela Santiago, who heads the group's women’s wing, declared: “We are ready, if required, to offer our blood to protect the Christian faith.”

She said many Christians in India have sacrificed their lives for the Gospel, but their contributions are seldom acknowledged. She expects that observing and Indian Christians Martyrs’ Day would help the younger generation of Christians understand the value of their faith and make the Church stronger.