And so it begins ...

More christians killed ... an elderly catholic couple in Iraq, dozens in Egypt during Mass.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12096078
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12102397
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/12/30/iraq.christians.attacks/index.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/01/egypt.attack/index.html

But the Coptic christians are fighting back. And the Pope is calling for international defence.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_619864.html 

The apocalyptic persecution of Christians has begun. The apocalyptic war has begun. Today it's in the Middle East ... tomorrow it'll be beyond: persecution physically, psychologically, socially, economically, politically ... it will hit every Christian, priest, pastor or lay.