The 21 Coptic Christians Real Footage: Unveiling The Martyrs' Legacy 10 Years Later

The tragic event of the 21 Coptic Christians' martyrdom, which occurred in February 2015, remains one of the most brutal acts of terror captured on video by ISIS. Now, as we approach the 10th anniversary of this devastating moment, the conversation has shifted from the horrific "real footage" to the profound and enduring legacy of the men who became known as the Martyrs of Libya. The original video, a piece of sophisticated propaganda, was designed to spread fear and division, but its effect has been inverted by the faithful and the international community, transforming the victims into symbols of unwavering faith and courage. The focus in late December 2025 is not on the terror group’s barbaric act, but on the powerful response: a new Oscar-shortlisted animated short film titled *The 21* and the ongoing veneration of the martyrs’ relics, which underscores the global recognition of their sacrifice. This article delves into the context of the original footage, the biographical details of the men, and the powerful, fresh narrative that has emerged a decade later.

The 21 Martyrs of Libya: A Complete Biographical Profile

The 21 men executed on the shores of Sirte, Libya, were primarily Egyptian Coptic Christian construction workers who had traveled abroad for economic opportunity. Their kidnapping and subsequent murder were documented in a propaganda video released by the so-called Islamic State on February 15, 2015. The group consisted of twenty Egyptian Coptic Orthodox men and one Ghanaian Christian man. The Coptic Orthodox Church officially canonized them as martyrs shortly after their deaths, and their feast day is observed on February 15.

List of the 21 Coptic Martyrs (Martyrs of Libya):

• Matthew Ayairga (The Ghanaian Christian)
• Yousef Shokry Younan
• Kirillos Shukry Fawzy
• Majed Suleiman Shehata
• Samuel Stephanos Kamel
• Malak Ibrahim Sinout
• Bishoy Astafanous Kamel
• Mina Fayez Aziz
• Hany Abd El-Maseeh Saleeb
• Malak Farag Abraam
• Sameh Salah Farouk
• Ezzat Boushra Naseef
• Gaber Mounir Adly
• Essam Badir Samir
• Luka Nagaty
• Tawadros Youssef Tawadros
• Bishoy Adel Khalaf
• Samuel Alham Wilson
• Milad Makeen Zaky
• Abanoub Atef Ayad
• Gergis Milad Sinout

The stories of these men are now celebrated worldwide, particularly the final, defiant words of many, who were recorded murmuring "Ya Rabbi Yasou" (My Lord Jesus) as they faced their executioners. This act of faith, captured on the very footage intended to demoralize, became the ultimate counter-narrative to the ISIS propaganda.

The 'Real Footage' as ISIS Propaganda: A Deeper Analysis

The term "21 Coptic Christians real footage" refers to the 5-minute, high-production-value video titled *A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross*. Released by the ISIS branch in Libya, it was a deliberate piece of psychological warfare designed to terrorize, recruit, and demonstrate the group's expanding reach beyond its strongholds in Iraq and Syria.

The Strategic Elements of the Video

The video was meticulously crafted, following the established aesthetic of ISIS media:

• Visual Contrast: The victims were clad in orange jumpsuits, mimicking the attire of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, contrasting sharply with the black-clad militants. This was a calculated visual metaphor of captivity and defiance against Western powers.
• The Setting: The execution took place on a desolate beach, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background, which the lead militant, speaking in English, called "the sea where you have hidden Sheikh Osama Bin Laden's body." This was a direct, symbolic threat to Europe and the West.
• High Production Quality: Unlike raw, spontaneous footage, the video featured multiple camera angles, slow-motion effects, and professional editing, indicating a clear, strategic media operation.

The primary intention of releasing the footage was to sow fear and demonstrate that ISIS could target Christian minorities with impunity. However, the unexpected result was an outpouring of global solidarity and a strengthening of the Coptic Christian community, which viewed the men not as victims but as heroic martyrs.

A Decade Later: The Enduring Legacy of the Coptic Martyrs

The narrative surrounding the 21 Coptic Martyrs has evolved significantly since 2015. The conversation has shifted from the initial shock of the "real footage" to the long-term impact of their sacrifice on religious freedom and global awareness of Christian persecution.

The Oscar-Shortlisted Film *The 21*

One of the most recent and powerful developments is the creation of the animated short film *The 21*. This film, which was recently shortlisted for an Academy Award (Oscar), honors and retells the story of the men. The use of animation is a deliberate choice to respectfully depict the events without exploiting the graphic nature of the original propaganda video, allowing the focus to remain on the men's faith and courage. The film is part of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary, ensuring that a new generation learns the story of the martyrs.

Veneration and Global Recognition

The Coptic Orthodox Church built a shrine dedicated to the martyrs in their home village of Al-Our in Minya, Egypt. In 2023, the relics of the 21 martyrs were brought to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for veneration, a significant ecumenical gesture that formally recognized their martyrdom across different Christian denominations. This act highlights the global, unified Christian response to the persecution, turning a brutal act of terror into a powerful symbol of unity and faith. The story of the 21 Coptic Christians is a profound example of how the victims of a propaganda video can ultimately triumph over the message of their killers. The "real footage" is now a historical artifact, overshadowed by the fresh, current, and powerful story of their enduring legacy and the global movement to honor their memory. Their final, simple prayer—"My Lord Jesus"—serves as a timeless counter-narrative to the violence captured on that Libyan beach.