IN PICTURES: Relatives of Egyptian Christians killed by IS speak out

Relatives of killed labourers Gerges Samir, 20, and Malak Ibrahim, 25. Boules is their uncle (left) and Milad is their cousin, who worked with Gerges and Malak in Libya and witnessed their abduction by IS (right). "On 28 December 2014, we got a phone call from our friends informing us that they had been kidnapped - it was only 10 seconds. Later Gerges, Malak and I decided to go back to Egypt. A few days later Gerges and Malak were abducted by IS along with other 11 Egyptian Christians. That night, I heard gunmen stepping into their dormitory but I couldn't do anything. I was unarmed. Gerges travelled all the way to Libya to be able to pay for his brother's university. That is why his death was painful to his brothers more than any other person," said Milad. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Bishop Botrous, uncle of killed labourer Mina Fayez, 23. "Our Orthodox church is a great church. Our church was build by the blood of martyrs. Throughout history, it has always brought heroes and martyrs to the world. I was shocked when I heard the news. But I was definitely happy for my nephew. He's a martyr," said Shehata. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Fifi, daughter of killed labourer Maged Shehata, 41. "My father died like a lion. He did not bow his head down. IS has no religion or mercy. I am now from the city of the martyrs. The city of the brave lions. May God forgive the killers. We don't have hatred towards them - this is Christianity. God forgives the sinners, so shall we," said Fifi. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Mona, mother of killed labourer Kirollos Boushra, 23 "Kirollos always wanted to be a bishop. He is even better now. He is a martyr. He travelled to Morocco and Libya after he finished his military service in Egypt. He wanted his family to have a better life," said Mona. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

The son and daughters of Hany Abdel-Messih, 32, who was killed by IS. Bakhoumis, 6 (left), Marina,12 (centre) and Refka, 7 (right) (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Tereza, mother of Youssef Shoukry, 23 "Youssef was a farmer and a carpenter. He is a king in heaven," said Tereza. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Zeez, mother of two killed workers Samuel Istafanous, 21, and Beshoy Istafanous, 23 (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Citizens of al-Aour village commemorate the dead at the local church. Photos of the victims were hung throughout the church. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Citizens of al-Aour village and relatives of slain labourers chant at the church. (MEE / Jonathan Rashad)

Bishop Felobous, lost five relatives in the IS attack – nephew Kirollos Boushra, 23 and cousins Maged Shehata, 41, Youssef Shokry, 23, Abanoub Atiya, 24 and Hany Abdel-Messih, 32. "Their leaving is painful. But we are not sad. We are proud of our martyrs. I congratulate IS. God is using them to bring martyrs to the world. Everything happens for a reason. I was very sad when I heard the news of the airstrikes led by the Egyptian military against ISIS. God asked us to even love our enemies," said Felobous.