SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Questions & Answers

Martyrs/Martyrdom

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › St. Mary and the Saints › Martyrs/Martyrdom

The question

If a person commits a lot of sin and even murder but they die because of their faith and proclaim Jesus's name before dying, do they go to heaven?

The answer

The fact that the person is willing to die for the name of Christ, is a sign of his repentance. Thus, if he is martyred for the name of Christ, he will go to heaven no matter what. Repentance is critical. Faith alone is insufficient. If any person repented in his last breath, he will be forgiven, like Demas, the thief on the right who died alongside with the Lord Jesus Christ. Having faith in God and proclaiming the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ means that you believe His teachings, which include faith, repentance, kindness, compassion, mercy, and the Holy Mysteries (sacraments). Thus, faith and deeds go hand in hand.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2336 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.