Kandhamal, the land of martyrs, continues to inspire pilgrims, religious, faithful, theologians, young and old.

“My faith is strengthened and enriched after spending four meaningful days with the victims of Kandhamal,” said Divine Word Hanson D’Souza from Mangalore, who studies theology at Kristo Jyoti Mahavidyaloyo, Sambalpur, Odisha.

The seminarian told Matters India that he was proud to be with those who have suffered for the sake of Christ.

Dominic Nayak from Kandhamal’s Tiangia, who survived the 2008 anti-Christian persecution, said the survivors “are grateful to many people who come to us to share solidarity with us.”

Tiangia saw the highest number of deaths in the Kandhamal religious persecution.

“We are encouraged and empowered when people come and share with our pain and agony,” Nayak told Matters India. A team of 15 theology students lived with the survivors during July 18-21. They split into groups of three and lived in the most affected villages — Nandagiri, Pirigoda, Mondakia and Gudriguda, besides Tiangia.

“Our students were moved seeing the strong and firm faith in Christ among the Kandhamal people despite persecution, threat and killing,” said Father Florence Ranasingh, principal of Khristo Jyoti Mahavidyaloyo who led the pilgrimage tour.