Rome's Colosseum was bathed in blood red light in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world, especially in Syria and Iraq. The historic event drew global attention to the suffering of faithful Christians who continue to be targeted for their belief.

The initiative was led by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic charity that revived a similar project from the previous year. The crimson light symbolized the bloodshed of Christians killed for one reason alone: their faith.

A Worldwide Moment of Solidarity

On the evening of February 24, the Colosseum glowed red at the same hour as two churches half a world away:

• The Maronite Cathedral of Saint Elias in Aleppo, Syria
• The Church of Saint Paul in Mosul, Iraq

Both Aleppo and Mosul have been at the heart of recent persecution. The synchronized lighting was designed to raise awareness of the plight of Christians in the Middle East, where ancient Christian communities have been driven from their homes, their churches destroyed, and their families scattered.

Red is the color of martyrdom in the Christian tradition, worn by the faithful who have given their lives for Christ.

ACN illuminates the Colosseum in red, with simultaneous events at the Maronite Cathedral of Saint Elias in Aleppo, Syria and the Church of Saint Paul in Mosul, Iraq. Read the original ACN announcement on Twitter

, ACN International (@acn_int) February 7, 2018

The Report That Sparked the Event

The Colosseum event followed a sobering report issued by Aid to the Church in Need showing that persecution of Christians is worsening worldwide:

"Not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever increasing numbers are experiencing the very worst forms of persecution. In 12 of the 13 countries reviewed, the situation for Christians was worse in overall terms in 2015 to 2017 than in the preceding two years. Estimates for the number of Christians worldwide who suffered some form of persecution for their faith in 2016 range from 200,000 to as many as 600,000."

"Governments in the West and the United Nations failed to offer Christians in countries such as Iraq and Syria the emergency help they needed as genocide got underway."

The Faces Behind the Statistics

Christianity remains the world's most persecuted religion. From the bombings of churches in Egypt to the displacement of entire Christian villages in Iraq, the faithful continue to pay a terrible price simply for following Christ.

The Bethlehem Handicrafts family understands this reality firsthand. Bethlehem, the very birthplace of Jesus Christ, has watched its Christian population dwindle dramatically over the past century. From the Holy Land to Aleppo to Mosul, ancient Christian communities are fighting to survive.

How You Can Stand with Persecuted Christians

Every purchase from Bethlehem Handicrafts directly supports Christian families still living in Bethlehem, helping them remain in the Holy Land where their ancestors have lived for two thousand years.

Browse our hand carved olive wood crosses and Catholic rosaries from Bethlehem to support the artisans keeping faith alive in the Holy Land.

Made by Christian Hands. Loved by Christian Hearts.