U.S. support for Iranian pastor continues to grow By Dan Merica, CNN
]]>Conclusion: Iran will say or do whatever is necessary to “justify” its illegal and barbaric actions.
]]>Let us hope the Iranian Government listens.
]]>When asked to “repent” by the Judges, Youcef stated, “Repent means to return. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?” The judges replied, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.” To which he replied, “I cannot.”
May the Lord keep him strong in his faith!
“If it is possible, one should rather die a thousand times, than deny the faith in Christ for a few more years on earth.” This is what the hundreds of millions of Christian martyrs did since the time of the Apostles: rather die than deny the faith in Christ.
The Saints Brancoveni Icon
http://valahia.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/martyr-voivode-brancoveanu/
]]>The family were allowed to say one last prayer, after which the Sultan offered them their lives if they accepted to convert to mahomedanism. Del Chiaro noted the Voivode’s reply:
“Your Highness. My wealth, as much as it was, you have taken it from me, but my Christian faith is something I will not relinquish. I have been born in it and I have lived in it, it is in my faith that I shall die. I have filled the land of my country with Christian churches and now, you would have me worship in your Turkish djamies? No, Your Highness. I have defended my land, I have watched over my faith. It is always in my faith that I wish to close my eyes, me and my sons.” Then he encouraged his sons thus: “My sons, be brave. We have lost everything we had in this earthly world. All we have left is our souls. Let us not lose them, too, but bring them pure before our Saviour Jesus Christ. Let’s wash our sins with our blood.”
[…]The Sultan gave the signal for the execution. The first who was decapitated was treasurer Ianache Văcărescu, followed by the Voivode’s four sons: Constantin, Ştefan, Radu, and then the youngest one, Matei (11). Horrified by his brothers’ death, the small one got scared and faltered. His father told him: “There has never been anyone in our family who lost their faith. If it is possible, one should rather die a thousand times, than deny the faith of his ancestors, for a few years more on earth”. Then the child put his head on the stock and said to the executioner: “I want to die a Christian. Strike.” Petrified with pain, the Voivode murmured: “Lord, Thy will be done”, after which they beheaded him, too.
