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It is issued by the Computer | | Departement in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate | |___________________________ _____________________________| Keraza No.: I | X Date: May 20th, 1996 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= T H E F E A S T O F T H E A S C E N S I O N O F O U R L O R D =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= After the 40 days of the resurection we celebrate the feast of ascension. It comes always on Thursday. This year it comes on May 23rd, 1996. IN THE DAY OF ASCENSION THE LORD ASCENDED TO HEAVEN WITH HIS BODY: ----------------------------------------------------------------- That's because the divinity doesn't ascend or descend.. It is always in Heaven, earth, in between and everywhere. That's what we say in the Liturgy of St.Gregory:"..and in your bodily ascension to Heaven". HIS ASCENSION WAS NOT A CHALLENGE TO GRAVITY: -------------------------------------------- It was an ascension over the gravity limits, for He ascended to Heaven with a Glorified body over which gravity has no power. It was a spiritual body giving us an image of the body with which we will be resurrected. (1 Cor.15:44,49)"Who shall change our vile body, that it might be fashioned like unto his glorious body" (Phil.3:21) BY HIS ASCENSION, HIS KENOSIS COMES TO AN END: --------------------------------------------- But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (Phil.2:7), humiliated Himself, was insulted and crucified, hungered, thirsted and pained to accomplish the salvation. But by this ascension He entered His Glory. HE SAT ON THE RIGHT OF GOD (Mk16:19): ------------------------------------ He settled in the power of the Father because God in unlimited He has no right side nor left side. But the word RIGHT indicates here power and majesty as we sing in the psalm: "The Right hand of the Lord is exalted, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me" (Ps.118) This is exactly what Stephen the martyr saw when he was stoned. (Act 7:55,56) HIS ASCENSION WAS A COMPLETION TO THE GLORIES OF TRANSFIGURATION AND RESURRECTION: -------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a response to the humility of Nativity, ,insults during the judgments and some people's challenges during His crucifixion. In His ascension we contemplate God's Glory and Majesty and that leads us to humility and to the life of prudence. Thus, we do not sin against Him but praise and glorify Him. HIS ASCENSION DOESN'T MEAN THAT HE LEFT US: ------------------------------------------ It is true that He left this world in the body but He said:" I am with you alway even unto the end the world" (Matt 28:20) He also said: "For where two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20) ASCENSION IS GIVING SELF CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE TO THE APOSTLES: --------------------------------------------------------------------- When Jesus Christ was on earth, they lived with Him, completely independent on Him. They were doing nothing, but meditate how HE works. Now He left them to work depending on Him by true faith not by sight. And living over the body's level. AS HE ASCENDED HE WILL COME BACK: -------------------------------- In His second coming, He will come in Glory.. Not in the humility of His Nativity but in the Glory of His Divinity. And that's what the angels said to the apostles (Act 1:11) IN HIS ASCENSION HE ATTRACTED OUR SIGHTS TO HEAVEN: -------------------------------------------------- That's exactly what happened to the apostles (Act 1:10) and that's what we should all do waiting for His coming.. We consistently wait where the Lord ascended, and where He will come back on clouds and around Him all His angels and saints. + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + __________________________________________________________________________ | Annual Meeting of the Holy Synod | | -------------------------------- | | The Holy Synod will meet as usual every year in the Saturday preceding | | the Pentecost day (Saturday June 6th).. | | In the Pentecost day, Abba Kyrellos the General Bishop shall be declared | | Bishop for Milan and all districts.. | |__________________________________________________________________________| | + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + HH in Alexandria: ================ HH traveled to Alexandria on Friday May 17th, He met the priests and the Congregational Council, gave lectures to the Theological Seminary's students, Gave a general lecture on Sunday night and returned back to Cairo. The General Congregational Council: ================================== The Congregational Council met on May 9th with HH as Chairman. In the evening of Monday, May 13th, HH met Advisor Edward Ghaleb the council's secretary. In the same day, HH met some other members to prepare the paper concerning the renewing of the suspended church (Moallaka) in Old Cairo and present it to responsibles. The Alexandrian Congregational council: ====================================== In his residence at the monastery, HH received on Friday May 10th night the delegate and members of the Alexandrian Congregational Council and some priests from Alexandria. St.Mark House in Abu-Talat Beach - Agamy: ======================================== [Image] A splendid view in front of the house. With the artificial lac and new cafeteria. HG Abba Moussa prepares the place for Summer Youth Conventions. Ps. Places for groups are limited. For more details Pls call Tel. 202-284-4186 or 202-285-9443. With the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC): ======================================================================== On Sunday May 5th morning, HH received Rev.Dr.Riad Jarjour General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches to prepare the meeting of the Council's Committee in Lebanon (June 10th - 13th).. Also they prepared for the Conference "Moslems and Christians on Jerusalem's behalf" in Lebanon also (June 14th - 16th) where HH will give the introductory speech. HG Abba Moussa attended this meeting. HH With the Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS): ====================================================================== On Thursday May 9th evening, HH received the responsibles for Aghaby Program in the Bishopric. HH discussed with them how to organize the service of the poor. With HG Abba Mina Ava-Mina: ========================== On Tuesday May 7th night, HG Abba Mina Ava-Mina Abbot of Mar-Mina monastery in Maryut returned back to Egypt after passing a medical treatment period in the United States.. HH received HG with many monks on Wednesday's morning HH asked about HG's medical status.. HG returned to the monastery and he might come to Cairo after a while to be complete his treatment with Dr.Rashad Barsoum. HG Abba Aghathon: ================ On Wednesday May 5th morning, HH received HG Abba Aghathon Metropolitan of Ismailia and Abbot of St.Paula monastery. HG Abba Joannes the General Bishop attended the meeting. HG Abba Timotheos: ================= HG Abba Timotheos, the General Bishop traveled to Banha on Wednesday first of May to give a lecture on "Homage on the Late Abba Maximus".. Then, he traveled to Luxor on May 2nd for the period of one week of service, lectures and prayers. HG Abba Sarabamon: ================= On Thursday May 16th, HG Abba Sarapamon Bishop and Abbot of St.Bishoy monastery returned back to Cairo.. HH received him directly. HG did pass by London on Monday May 13th while coming from the United States. HG Abba Ruweis: ============== HG Abba Ruweis attended the feast of St.Athanasius in his church in Misissauga Canada. And St.Demiana's feast in her church also there HG attended the family's conference in Los Angeles with an invitation from HG Abba Serapion. With God's will, HG will be back to Cairo on Thursday May 30th to attend the Annual Holy Synod's meeting and the Pentecost feast. HH different meetings: ===================== * On Monday May 6th morning, HH received the Libyan delegated minister Mr.Mohamed El-Faytury.. The meeting was about poetry and they exchanged their poetry books. * In the morning of the same day, HH received Mr.Mamdouh Abbass the business man accompanied by Eng.Ibrahim Halab member of the Board of Directors of "Arab Contractors Company". * In the evening of the same day, HH received His personal lawyer Mr.Fayek Fahim and a group of business men. Hunting Club: ============ HH received Prof.Dr.Yehia El-Gamal Ex-Minister and professor of International Law.. He invited HH to give a speech in the Hunting Club in Dokki - Cairo on Thursday May 16th night. Students and professors of the American University in Cairo (AUC): ================================================================= On Sunday May 12th night, HH received a group of students from the department of Arabic Studies - AUC with Prof.Dr.Nabila El-Assiuty. HG Abba Serapion: ================ HG Abba Serapion traveled to Switzerland to attend the "Sharing & Service Committee" meeting.. It is the fourth committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) - Geneva Switzerland. On Sunday Apr. 28th, HG prayed in St.George (Zurich) and returned to his diocese in Los Angeles on Tuesday Apr. 30th. With God's will, HG will come to Egypt on Tuesday May 21st to attend the Holy Synod's meeting and the Pentecost. HG Abba Pimen: ============= On Monday May 13th morning, HG Abba Pimen bishop of Nekada & Koos returned from Sudan after a journey which lasted for three weeks. HH received him the same day of his return. HG Abba Fam: =========== On Monday May 13th, HH received HG Abba Fam Bishop of Tema. HG will travel to London to complete his medical treatment there. Priests' News: ============= * On Tuesday May 7th, Fr.Epiphanius Anba Bishoy arrived to Cairo from our residence in New Jersey - USA. * On Friday May 10th, Fr.Athanasius Farag, the priest of our church in Rutherford, returned to his church after a visit of 3 weeks long to the mother church. * On Sunday May 5th morning, HH received Hegumen Felimon Anba Bishoy, priest of Virgin Mary (Zaytun).. HH asked about his health after the medical operation he passed. * On Saturday May 11th night, Hegumen Johanna Tadros priest of Virgin Mary and St.Antonios COC Queens - USA arrived for a 2 weeks visit to the mother church. With some churches in Cairo: =========================== On Sunday May 5th night, HH received the priests, Church boards, servants and congregations of some churches in Cairo to choose new priests as follows: - St.George (Rodel Farag) - Virgin Mary (Amiria) - St.Mark (Cleopatra) [Saturday May 12th night] + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + =================== From one side of the Globe to another =================== * Congregations asked for priests to the following churches: - Indianapolis - USA - Lancaster - USA - Gold Coast - Australia - Sacramento (North Calif.) * We started building Four Coptic churches in South Africa. * HG Abba Demian is making a big effort in renewing the building of our new monastery in Hochster - Germany. * A letter from HH Theokest, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church arrived to HH Pope Shenouda thanking HH for his visit to Romania. HH Theokest mentioned in the letter that some youth want to study Theology in the Coptic church.. Among whom Mr.Ghica Victor Corneliu who visited Egypt recently. * A letter arrived from Hegumen Moussa Soliman our priest in Brisben Australia telling that St.Mark COC was registered by the government in Oakland, New Zealand. * A letter from Fr.Morcos Khella in Sydney arrived to HH telling that St.Mark Coptic Orthodox College was inaugurated where students study the Ministry of Education's Programs and some added courses as Coptic Language, Arabic Language, Religion and Church History. * Regarding the big number of the Coptic congregation in St.George Toronto COC. Some people asked HH to have a second priest to serve there. * A Coptic Church in the name of Mar-Mina and the congregation was registered in Halifax Canada. They are looking for a piece of land or an already church to buy. * A bigger Coptic church was bought in Copenhagen, in the name of Virgin Mary and St.Mark with a house beside for the residence of the priest, dinning room, basement of 5 rooms and WCs. All the land is 2775 square meters. The price is 1.5 million Corona most of it was paid except 350 thousand which remain as liability on the church to be paid over 20 years. * A Coptic Monastery was bought in France on a piece of land of more than 46 Acres.. We received a letter from Mr.Wadie Aziz Saleh concerning this matter. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | + | | COPTIC ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE + + + Translated and maintained | | Computer Departement + Michael Y. Moussa Ekladious | | cop@idsc.gov.eg + micho@auc-cs28.eun.eg | | + + + | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-