Thread by @SJSJChurch

✝️ Today we remember The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1901 and 1942-43.

A group of Christian missionaries and local believers who were killed for their faith in Papua New Guinea, including James Chalmers and Oliver Tomkins in 1901, and over 330 Christians of various denominations during the Japanese invasion in 1942-1943, all of whom are commemorated for their sacrificial witness and steadfast commitment to serving Christ and His Church in the face of persecution.

“We could never hold up our faces again, if for our own safety we all forsook him and fled when the shadows of the passion began to gather around him in his spiritual body, the Church in Papua. Our life in the future would have been burdened with shame and we could not come back here and face our people again; and we would be conscious always of rejected opportunities."
-Bishop Philip Strong

A 🧵

2/ The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea include 333 Christians from various denominations who were killed during the Japanese invasion in 1942-1943.

Reported numbers of those killed varies; the University of Papua New Guinea research that there were
Roman Catholic - 197
United Church - 77
Salvation Army - 22
Lutheran - 16
Anglican - 12
Methodist - 10
Evangelical Church of Manus - 5
Seventh Day Adventist - 4

3/ Notable Anglican martyrs include Vivian Redlich, May Hayman, Lucian Tapiedi, and others who chose to remain and serve their communities despite the imminent danger.

4/ These martyrs demonstrated extraordinary faith and courage by refusing to abandon their mission work, even when given opportunities to evacuate to safety.

5/ Their sacrifices led to significant growth of the Church in Papua New Guinea, often referred to as growing from "the blood of the martyrs".

The Martyrs' legacy is commemorated annually on September 2nd and through institutions like the Martyrs School in Popondetta.

6/ Their witness continues to inspire Christians worldwide, exemplifying selfless service and unwavering commitment to faith in the face of persecution.

7/

Traditions:

🇵🇬In Papua New Guinea, traditional dancing and kundu drum playing are incorporated into Eucharist services commemorating the martyrs

And at Martyr's Memorial School in Papua New Guinea, the feast day is celebrated as a major occasion

🇦🇺In Australia, some parishes hold special services with candle lighting ceremonies and floral wreath laying to honor the martyrs

And at St Paul's Anglican Church in Ipswich, Australia, a memorial cross was erected specifically for martyr Mavis Parkinson

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿In England, a statue of Papuan martyr Lucian Tapiedi is installed among other 20th century Christian martyrs over the west door of Westminster Abbey

🇯🇵In Japan, the Anglican Bishop of South Tokyo sent bamboo crosses to parishes of all the martyrs as an act of reconciliation in 1950

🙏🏻

O Almighty God,
who didst give thy servants
The martyrs of Papua New Guinea boldness to confess
the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same
our Lord Jesus Christ;
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God,
world without end.
Amen.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒We’re a church without a building right now.

🙋🏻‍♂️Can you help us?

⛪️We can do so much more to bring people to Jesus and to serve the community if we had a building of our own.

🥅Please donate or share to reach our goal.

Thank you.
🙏🏻

👉🏻 democracythree.org/saveachurch

@threadreaderapp unroll