St Egidio prayer service in memory of modern martyrs

(Vatican Radio) Rome’s lay Catholic St Egidio community held an ecumenical prayer service on Tuesday to remember all those people in countries across the globe who’ve suffered persecution and death for the sake of their Christian faith.

This annual liturgy in memory of the modern day martyrs recalled especially those Christians who have been the victims of recent violent attacks in Pakistan, Nigeria and across the Middle East. As well as remembering the martyrs, representatives of the different Christian Churches present here in Rome affirmed their solidarity with all those who stand up and oppose violence, corruption and repression of religious freedoms.

The prayer service took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Rome Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, led by the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, English Archbishop Paul Gallagher.