Overview
Mathew Ayarijga
ماثيو أياريجا
Birth
Unknown precisely, a young man in his twenties
Martyrdom
15 February 2015
Profession
Construction worker
Birthplace
Ghana
He came to Libya to work and earn a living, living and working alongside the Egyptian laborers and forming strong bonds of fellowship with them. At the moment of abduction and martyrdom, due to his courageous stance and declaration of faith alongside his colleagues — saying his famous words: 'Their God is my God' — he received the crown of martyrdom with them. His remains were officially returned and honored alongside the other martyrs in their church in Egypt.
Event
The 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya
15 February 2015 · Libya
On 15 February 2015, the terrorist group ISIS published a video showing the beheading of 21 Christians held captive in Sirte, Libya — twenty of them Egyptian Copts and one from Ghana. Pope Tawadros II gave them the title 'Martyrs of the Faith' and canonized them as saints just one week after the incident, on 21 February 2015.
Church
Church of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland
Al-Aour Village (currently Martyrs' Village), Samalout Center, Minya Governorate