Love and forgive terrorists: Coptic Church

Despite violently beheading their brothers and sisters in Libya, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne says their followers should forgive and love the terrorists involved.

Last week, Islamic State fighters released a video of the beachside beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya.

A memorial service for those killed was held in Melbourne's southeast on Saturday morning and attended by more than 600 mourners.

Bishop Suriel said it was a very emotional service for the whole Coptic Christian community.

"People needed to pray," Bishop Suriel told AAP on Saturday.

"It affected our community around the world because we feel as though those killed are our brothers and sisters."

He said the congregation prayed for those lost and their families, but also for the terrorists involved in their deaths.

"We need to forgive these terrorists," he said.

"We also need to love them, as our lord has taught us."

Mourners from all over Victoria attended the service, including those from the Romanian Orthodox Church and Anglican Church, as well as the consulate general of Egypt and a sheikh from the Heidelberg mosque.