President Donald Trump recently joined the Coptic Orthodox Christian community in observing Global Coptic Day — a celebration of the ancient heritage, rich culture, and reverent worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
“Tracing its roots to Saint Mark, the apostle of Jesus Christ and Evangelist who brought the Christian faith to Egypt in the first century, the Coptic Church has been a beacon of Christendom in Africa for nearly 2,000 years,” observed President Trump in a statement. “The Coptic community has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of Christians — most evidently seen in their timeless contributions to Christian theology and culture.”
President Trump reflected on the “vicious and ongoing persecution of Coptic Orthodox Christians in Africa and across the Middle East.” He recalled the 21 Coptic construction workers who were brutally executed by ISIS terrorists in Libya in 2015.
“Like persecuted Christians all around the world,” said President Trump, “these heroic martyrs refused to renounce their faith. They exemplified their sacrificial love and steadfast devotion to God, even in the face of certain death. The Copts’ persistence amid relentless persecution is a living testament to their unbreakable resolve and fearless dedication to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Mindful of what happens when faith is persecuted, President Trump highlighted the United States’ renewed commitment to vigorously defend the right to religious liberty, a bedrock of the American way of life. He recently established the Religious Liberty Commission, a team of religious leaders tasked with ensuring that Americans can freely practice their faith without government interference. President Trump also signed an Executive Order to eradicate the pervasive anti-Christian bias and correct unjust abuses, investigations, and persecutions of faithful Christians that occurred in recent years.
In honor of Global Coptic Day, “we pray for an increased love of God and a rebirth of religious faith both in the United States and around the world,” said President Trump. “[M]ay the treasured traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Christian community serve as a light for all Americans, and may their unwavering devotion to Christ inspire our Nation to renew our love, faith, and trust in Almighty God.”
