Powerful Animated Film ‘The 21’ Honors Coptic Martyrs on the 10th Anniversary of Their Execution

Hart recalled a powerful message from Archbishop Angaelos: “Don’t pity us as victims because we’re not victims. We’re victors. We are triumphant in the cross and in Christ.”

“It’s really been amazing…other Coptic believers that we’ve interacted with really express the same perspective, the same sentiment,” Hart said. “And I will say for myself, personally, I know I have a lot to learn from their example of faithfulness and of community support for one another, as they experience persecution for their faith.”

Hart hopes viewers who watch “The 21” will be inspired to ask themselves, “What would I be willing to die for?”

“Over the course of 40-some days of captivity,” Hart pondered, “how many opportunities did they have to save their earthly lives?” And yet, she pointed out, “They refused all the way down to the end.

“So to ask ourselves, ‘What would we be willing to die for?’” Hart said. “That brings up a whole other host of questions reflecting on just daily life and priorities, and in the way that we conduct ourselves in the world.”