More on Red and Christian Martyrs

December 08, 2017
in Lift Your Light

HWFeaturedImageMost of us think of the liturgical color red as being the color of feast days. While that is true, the reality is a bit more nuanced than that. It’s more helpful to think of it as associated with the Passion of Jesus–meaning his betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection–and the works of his power, such as his ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is because the association of red with Christ’s blood that we use red when remembering the death of Christian martyrs. 

The early church considered being killed because of your faith to be a special kind of death, because you were joining with Christ in his sufferings. The phrase “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” came from early church father Tertullian’s Apologeticus.

Archbishop Foley Beach has requested the clergy of ACNA wear red to stand in solidarity with the Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being beaten, persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith. He also called the church to stand in prayer, contact their representatives and give financially to reach out our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith. Consider how you might pray, act, or give in the face of the attempted extermination of Christians in Iraq and Syria.

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, especially in Syria and Iraq; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Resources On the Persecution of Christians