Orange Is for Martyrs

ORANGE IS FOR MARTYRS  Parishioners at St. Michael’s in Netcong have joined a campaign across America calling for Christians to wear orange — which is being called the new color of martyrdom for the faith — the color of the jumpsuits worn by the Christians who were beheaded on a Libyan beach by ISIS. St. Michael’s campaign was rolled out at weekend Masses May 2-3. Pictured are Elayne Johnson with her children and Maureen Pajaro and Bob Flynn.

Netcong parishioners wear orange to honor Christians martyred for their faith

NETCONG  In solidarity with the thousands of Christians being persecuted for their faith, orange is the new color for martyrdom. At weekend Masses May 2-3 in St. Michael Church here, parishioners donned their Sunday best wearing the color orange.

Maureen Pajaro, an active parishioner of St. Michael’s, felt concerned after watching the constant news reports about Christians being killed around the world for their faith. She came across a movement in which American Christians were wearing orange during Sunday Masses and services with church members passing out orange ribbons and bracelets to bring awareness to the martyrdom of Christians in the Middle East and Africa.

The color orange represents the jump suits worn by captives of ISIS, including some 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians who were beheaded in Libya earlier this year.

The images of these poor, working class men in the orange jumpsuits led by ISIS militants, covered in black, on a beach have left an impression on Pajaro, who said, “I remember quite a while ago hearing about the time of the Holocaust, when the Jewish people were being killed and it took some years for something to be done. They said it is because we didn’t have the communication to know what was happening. What about today’s world? We are seeing what is happening almost immediately after it happens. As Christians we need to come together.”

Father Adam Muda, pastor of St. Michael’s, said, “The orange project during weekend Masses allowed us to be united with those persecuted and it reminds people that so many are suffering. I must admit, at first, while I knew what was happening, I didn’t think much about it. When I looked at the orange bracelet this week, I started to think about them more and took the time to pray for them at that moment. It’s really important to have in mind that people like us are still dying for the faith.”

During the month of May, St. Michael’s is also hosting an hour dedicated to peace every Friday at 7 p.m. at which the rosary will be recited for peace in the Middle East, Africa and the Ukraine.

“More than ever, martyrs are in the world. In the United States, we are lucky because we are able to practice our religion openly. People take that for granted and forget that,” Father Muda said. “We can’t forget about that. Everyone in the parish is happy we are doing this. It reminds us to pray in solidarity for those who are persecuted for their faith.”