________________________________________________________________________ NNNN N N N N NNNN NNNN N N + / + / + N N N N N N N N N N / + + + / N NNNNN N N NNNN N NNNNN / + / N N N N N N N N N N / + + / + NNNN N N NNN N N NNNN N N / + + + + + + + + + + + / + / + + / / + N N N N N N N N N N N N N/ / + N N N N N N N / / + N N N N N N N N N N N/N N / + N N N N N N N N / N / + N N N N N N N N N /N N N N / + / / + + + / / + + + \ \ ______________________________\_______________\________________________ | | | 'Church News' | | is a selected translation of the News section in the Arabic | | Church magazine Al-Keraza. It is issued by the Computer | | Departement in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate | |___________________________ _____________________________| Keraza No.:47,48 I | X Date:December, 29th, 1995 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Christmas Date: --------------- We celebrate, with God's will, Christmas this year on January 7th., as usual but because Christmas according to the Coptic calendar is on Kiahk, 29th., which is January, 2nd. in this year. So, January 2nd. is considered an addition to Christmas day: Fasting should not be practiced on that day, but the day is a celebration. On the 1st meeting of the Parliament: ------------------------------------ Upon an invitation of the President of the Parliament, HH the Pope attended the first meeting for the new Egyptian Parliament, where Mr. President Hosny Moubarak gave an important political speech.. That was on Saturday, December 16th at the morning. HH meetings: ----------- In the morning of Tuesday, December 5th, HH met Mr.Mohamed Youssef, delegate of Cairo Governor & Mr.Hassan Abdel Razek president of the Middle Cairo district. On the same morning, HH met Dr.Samuel Habib head of the Evangelical Church in Cairo with Rev.Safwat El-Bayady & Mr.Adeeb Naguib. On Monday December 4th, HH met Mr.Embassador Wahib El-Menyawy advisor of the Minister of State for International Co-operation. Celebration of the feast of St.Samuel El-Mo3taref: ------------------------------------------------- On Kiahk 8th (Dec.18) St.Samuel Monastery on the Kalamun Desert, celebrated the feast of it's saint. It was organised by it's head HG Bishop Bassilious. HH did prepare the first ferment of perfumes to perfume the cylinder containing the saint's body.. Many Bishops participated such as HG Abba Bishoy, the Ethiopian Abba Makarius, the Monastery's head Abba Bassilious, Abba Moussa, Abba Serapion and Abba Youannes.. The monastery celebrates this feast with great joy since many new places were built.. All our greetings to the monastery, it's Bishop, monks and sons. Message from Ethiopia's Patriarch: --------------------------------- On Monday December 11th, HH met HG Metropolitan Makarios the Ethiopian who forwarded a message from Ethiopia's Patriarch.. HG Abba Bishoy, Moussa & Youannes attended the meeting.. Abba Makarious attended HH Wednesday meeting at St.Mark Cathedral and was invited by HH to participate in preparing the perfumes for St.Samuel's feast.. With Bishops: ------------ * On Monday December 4th, HH met both Abba Sarabamon & the Eritrian Abba Makarios. * On Tuesday December 15th, HH met Abba Athanasius, Bakhomius, Abba Mina Ava-Mina, Abba Angelos, Aghabios, Yostos and Abba Isodoros. * On Thursday December 7th, HH met both Abba Yacobos & Abba Piemen.. * HH met Abba Picenty and asked about HG's health after being back to Egypt. * HH met the 2 bishops of America and all bishops travelling to celebrate enthroning them.. The General Congregational Council (Magles Milli): ------------------------------------------------- On Thursday December 14th, the General Congregational Council met with HH as chair person.. They listened to the report of the Land & Building Committee, and discussed it. The report was read by Eng.William Matthias El-Maraghy.. The Council greeted Dr.Angele Boutros for her appointment in the Egyptian Parliament.. Many words were said about the Ex-member Mr.Nasry Wahba who departed.. The Council studied the project of the Patriarchate's Land in Mahmasha.. THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO FORM A PROJECT COMMITTEE To study the empty lands of the Patriarchate & suggest what should be done. This committee is formed of: Dr.Tharwat Bassily Hgmn.Salib Matta Sawirus Dr.Sinout Haleem Dr.Mounir Azmy Rizkalla Dr.Mamdouh Fakhry The lawyer Mr.Fikry Habib Dr.Fahmy Ayiad Ibrahim It was decided that the coming meeting of the council will take place at Thursday December 28th, 1995 to listen to the Financial Committee Report. The Pope in Alexandria: ---------------------- On Friday December 28th, HH travelled to Alexandria to meet the Alexandrian Congregational Council. They discussed completing the New Patriarchate Building since all the basis were already built. HH also met the Alexandria Priests Synod as usual in each visit to Alexandria On Saturday's evening HH gave his Theological Seminary's speeches. Also, on Sunday's evening, HH usual meeting was held at the Great St.Mark Cathedral.. With the Governing Board of the Theological Seminary in Alexandria: ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Friday December 8th night, HH met the members of the governing board of Alexandria Theological Seminary. HG Abba Bishoy, Abba Beniamin, Mr.Lotfy Aziz one of the church delegates and the rest of the board members priests & professors. In this meeting, they studied some problems relating to Teaching & Personel They also studied the Graduate Programs. It was decided to send inviting distinguished Alumni to a meeting at the Patriarchate with HH concerning this study in Friday December 22nd. With some journalists: --------------------- * On Tuesday December 12th, HH met Mr.Ragab El-Banna, editor in chief of the "October Magazine" & "Darel Ma3aref".. Advisor Aziz Anis attended the meeting * On Monday December 4th, HH met Mr.Atef Mostafa editor-in-chief of the "Helal" Magazine who requested from HH an article about the Civilsation's Struggle to be published on the Jan96 release of the magazine. * On Thursday December 7th, HH met the journalists of the Kuwaitian "Anbaa'" magazine, Mr.Charles Fouad & Mr.Milad El-Meery in a press interview. Pastoral Tour of HG Abba Tadros: -------------------------------- From August 20th to November 11th HG attended the priests' meeting with HH then, the servants meeting at night. HG participated in consecrating the altar of Virgin Mary in St.Mark COC, Jersey City, NJ.. Then traveled to Winnipeg, MB, Canada to inaugurate the new church there.. In this trip, HG prayed 23 Mass & 18 evening prayer in 40 days. HG ordinated 58 psaltos and 27 Gnostos (Reader) In America, HG visited churches: St.Mark COC and St.George & St.Shenouda COC in Jersey City, St.Mina (Holmdale), St. Mercurius & St. Abraam in Torrance, Holy Virgin Mary in LA, St.George (Bellflower) and churches in Seattle, Charlottesville, Green Fields, Milwaukee & Detroit. In Canada, HG visited churches: Three churches in Montreal (Vigin Mary, St.Mark, St.George) and churches in Torrance and Mississauga.. HG celebrated the Cross Feast in Covina and St.Ruweis Feast in his church in Toronto. HG celebrated the Familty Conference in Baltimore MD.. Inaugurated the new church in Sacremento.. HG also went to Portland, it was the first time for a Coptic Bishop to visit them.. HG visited Youngstown, one hour from Cleveland (Nearly 14 family). Meetings with people and youth and Church Councils and small coptic groups.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- + H.H. met about 4000 students expatriated in Cairo on Thursday evening, December 7th., where he answered their questions. H.G. Bishop Rewais, H.G. Bishop Moses, and H.G. Bishop Youannis attended the meeting. + H.H. received priests, council, servants, and congregation of St. Dimiana church, New Waili, Cairo, on Monday Dec., 4th. Where H.H. talked with them about service affairs in the church. The congregation asked from H.H. to ordain new priests for the church. + Fr. Youannis, our priest in Johannesburg, South Africa, arrived to Cairo on Monday, December, 4th., to visit mother church for a week. Then, he went to Canada for three weeks after which he will return to his service in Johannesburg. H.H. received him on Tuesday, Dec. 5th. + Fr. Phillobos Bogdady, our priest in Adelaide (Australia), also arrived to Cairo accompanying a trip with his church congregation to visit mother church for a month. H.H. also received him on Thursday, Dec., 7th. + Fr. Mina Wahba, our priest in San Diego (California) also came to visit Egypt. + H.H. received Fr. Mina Rewais, our priest in Milan on Friday, Dec., 8th. Fr. Mina asked H.H. to be transferred because of personal reasons that relate to his children92s studies. + Fr. Apolidis the Serian came from Berlin to Cairo on Saturday, Dec., 2nd., and will be delegated to serve in Denmark. + H.H. issued the Papal decree number 5/25 announcing the transfer Fr. Mina Rewais from his service in Milan to our church in Rochester, USA. Also, the Papal decree included the transfer of Fr. Mikhail Naguib from St. Marcos church, Shoubra, Cairo, to our church in Milan to accompany Fr. Bimen Kamel. + The Papal decree number 7/25 was announced to delegate Fr. Phlimon El Baramoussi to our church in Lahai, Holland. He traveled there three weeks ago and started his ministry. This is our second church in Holland. The first one is located in Amsterdam. Delegation of Christmas and Baptism celebrations: ------------------------------------------------- The Papal decree number 8/25 announced the following delegations for the mass of Christmas and Baptism masses in some of USA, Canada, and Europe cities: 1- H.G. Bishop Youhanna to pray in Fresno, USA. 2- H.G. Bishop Danial to pray in Tallahassee, Florida. 3- Fr. Dawoud Tadros to pray in Green Vile, USA. 4- Fr. Youhanna Wadie to pray in Charlotte, USA. 5- Fr. Sorial Fahmy to pray in Indianapolis, USA. 6- Fr. Misa92il Adeeb to pray in Albany, USA. 7- Fr. Gobrial Abdel Nour to pray in Tennessee, USA. 8- Fr. Mikhail Abdel Nour to pray in Atlantic City, USA. 9- Fr. Mikhail Mikhail to pray in Howell, New Jersey, USA. 10- Fr. Marcos Aziz to pray in Halifax, Canada. 11- Fr. Roufa'il Anba Bishoy to pray in Winnipeg, Canada. 12- Fr. Dawoud Dawoud to pray in Calgary, Canada. 13- Fr. Misak Anba Bishoy to pray in Copenhagen, Denmark. 14- Fr. Hidra Akadawi to pray in Cant, UK. 15- Fr. Ishiaa' Mikhail to pray in Gothenburg, Sweden. 16- Fr. Sourial Anba Bishoy to pray in Honolulu. 17- Fr. Sidarous Abdel Messih to pray in Berlin. 18- Fr. Louka El Baramousi to pray in Belgium The new Papal residence in Alexandria: -------------------------------------- A consensus was may that the residence will be constructed by Eng. Onsi Sawirous, owner of Orascom. H.H. met Eng. Onsi92s son, Eng. Naguib Sawirous on Monday Dec. 28th. H.H. announced Alexandria Congregational Council decree concerning that. The base of the construction was established more than a month ago. A Practical Advice for Church Membership By: H.G. Bishop Moses, Youth diocese ---------------------------------------- There are celebrations in which the church is full of congregation even those who do not regularly attend the service. Some of these celebrations are: The new year eve, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, and other celebrations. It is possible to prepare applications to be distributed on all who attend church that have data concerning: Name of person, address, telephone, work, spouse name, children name(s), their ages, father of confession name. All these applications are then to be recorded in the membership record, preferably on a computer. The priest of the church can visit those whom he have not visited before in order to perform his ministry. We publish this advice before the celebration days so that we can be prepared. If any celebration passes, the membership applications can still be distributed in the coming celebration. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. From the editing team: --------------------- The editing team would like to thank all those who supported the first issue of the Church News by their prayers. Special thanks for Shenouda Abdou for his help in this issue. The editing team apologizes if the some of the names of people or cities are misspelled. Please, send us a comment with the correct spelling in order to change them in the future. Any comment is greatly appreciated! The editing team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | + | | The 'Church News' is translated + + + Any comment or suggestion | | and maintained by Danial + is welcome at | | the Prophet Fellowship + micho@auc-cs28.eun.eg | | + + + | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-