Christians mark Martyrs Day with prayer, blood donation

Christians in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday marked the 'Indian Christian Martyrs Day' with prayer services and blood donation camps, remembering those who were persecuted for their faith.

A large number of people attended a special memorial service organized at the Seva Sadan Church in Bhopal that recalled the suffering of Christians in different parts of the country. Following the service, several people reportedly came forward to donate blood.

The Martyrs Day is an ecumenical initiative that was called for in the wake of violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008. The violence killed more than 90 people and displaced around 50,000 others.

"Christianity began with the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. His disciple St. Thomas who came to India in 52 AD was also martyred. Since then many have died for their faith. We remember them all," the Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (IMS), which organised the Aug 28 event, said in a note.

"It is the third year that we are commemorating the heroic sacrifice of those Christians who died for their faith. The month of August will always be recorded in history for the sacrifice of the numberless Christians in Kandhamal."

The IMS had earlier created an email campaign to appeal to churches to mark the Christian Martyrs Day with prayer services and blood donation camps.

"We have reports from all over Madhya Pradesh that prayer services and blood donation camps were held at different places. Christians all over the state observed the day with different programmes to remember those who gave up their lives," Jerry Paul of IMS said.

"Church is built on the blood of the martyrs. It is for faith that they sacrificed their life," said IMS State General Secretary Dr Manis Mathew.

The Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh also remembered those women who withstood insults, physical assaults, rape and molestation for their faith. "Their sacrifice is not less than martyrdom," expressed Sheela Shantiago, the women wing president.

A 24-year-old Christian woman working as an orphanage caretaker was the first to be burnt to death in Bargarh in western Orissa on August 25 when violence erupted following the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

The same day, another person, identified as Rasananda Pradhan, was burnt to death when his house was set ablaze at Rupa village in Kandhamal district.