January 2024 Persecution Magazine

Crowns of Courage
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR CHRIST
A Martyr Who Taught
Forgiveness to His People
Father John epitomized the living essence of
the Gospel teachings, exemplifying the divine
commandments of loving one’s adversaries
and bestowing blessings upon them. His
humanitarian stances and good relations with people
of all religions and sects distinguished him and made
him trustworthy and reliable for everyone in his
community.
Born to Christian parents in a poverty-stricken village
in Damascus, Father John’s life was entrenched in
faith and service. As a devoted husband and a revered
priest in a local church, he became a pillar of hope,
especially during the turbulent times of conflict that
ravaged Syria. Most Christians sought him to mediate
for them to get back their kidnapped children from
ISIS militants.
The group of extremists kidnapped a promising
young Christian doctor from Father John’s village.
The perpetrators demanded an exorbitant ransom
of $700,000 – an insurmountable sum for the
impoverished family. The family turned to Father John
in the hopes of having their son returned.
Driven by an unyielding love and a profound sense
of duty for his community, Father John fearlessly
embarked on a perilous negotiation with the
kidnappers. Through arduous efforts, he managed
to reduce the ransom to $350,000, a slightly less
daunting sum but still an impossible burden for the
impoverished villagers.
The doctor’s family sold their lands and homes, hoping
to get their son back. Carrying the money, Father John
went to meet the kidnappers in the hope that he
would return with their son. He overlooked the blind
hatred for Christians – let alone Christian priests – that
characterizes these extremist groups.
However, the kidnappers callously seized Father John,
escalating their demands for an increased ransom.
Cut off from his community, Father John endured
unspeakable torture and indignities at the hands of his
captors.
“Did they offer him food or drink, or even vinegar
mixed with myrrh?! How many blows and lashes did
he taste?! Was he subjected to spit and insults like his
Master?!” Said one community member.
Tragically, what was anticipated as a triumphant
homecoming turned into a nightmare.
Instead of the priest and the doctor returning home,
their lives were unjustly ended at the hands of their
captors. The villagers’ hopes were shattered, their
fears realized as the bodies of Father John and the
doctor were callously discarded on the roadside,
bearing the grotesque marks of torment and brutality.
The villagers were devastated. This was not the
first time that Father John was asked to mediate in
kidnappings and thefts. He had succeeded many times
in releasing kidnapped people because he was a cleric
who was trusted and loved by everyone.
This time, he did not complete his work but returned
to his family slaughtered. And while all he wanted was
to help set free the kidnapped people, this time, he
was the victim.
“May God have mercy on you, Father John,” they
lamented, acknowledging his unwavering commitment
to forgiveness even in the face of such heinous
brutality. “Just as you taught us to forgive, may we too
extend forgiveness to those who brought such sorrow
upon you.”
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Persecution | OCTOBER 2023