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 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.: 7, 8 I | X Date: Friday Feb 27th '98 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ HH Trip to the United States The Pope in England................... HG Abba Joannes & Fr Antonios Thabet HH in New Jersey and New York......... HG Abba Joannes HH in Boston and Harvard HH in Washington DC HH in Cleveland Orthodox Dialog Comittee Meeting...... HG Abba Serapion Miscellaneous News -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH trip to Europe and the United States -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH began his trip on Thursday, Jan 22nd '98 and concluded it on Monday Feb 16th '98. It lasted for three weeks. He began by visiting Cyprus to attend the Middle East Council of Churches Presidium meeting and Executive comittee meeting. HE Metropolitan Bishoy accompanied him as member of the executive comittee and returned to Cairo on Jan 28th after the MECC meetings ended. HG Abba Joannes came from Egypt to accompanie HH for the whole journey till Jan 31st. HH resumed his trip to London then to the United States. In this trip HH consecrated two new churches: One near Boston Masachussetts and the other in Washington DC. He chose as well a location for a new church in Bayon (Close to New York) and visited our new church at Homdale. HH gave two theological lectures. One in Stevenage (North London UK) The other in (Cedar Grove, New Jersey). Two day in each. Following an invitation, HH gave a lecture about the Coptic church, it's history and present life in Harvard University. HH visited as well the great project - Virgin Mary Vine - 187 acres near Boston Masachussetts. During this visit, HH met with 16 metropolitan and bishop of our church as well as 60 priest. Some in open sessions and others in private meetings to arrange things in the service and study church needs. HH visited 3 Egyptian Embassadors in Cyprus, England and USA and he visited our consulate in New York. Those visits were a good chance for National speeches. HH met with many News Agencies and Media people and gave some talks. With the President of Cyprus: [See picture] ---------------------------- Beside Mr President we see HH Pope Shenouda, Patriarch Hazeem (Greek Orthodox of Antioch), Patriarch Zakka 'Eiwas I (Syrian Orthodox), Catholicos Aram Kesheshyan (Armenian Orthodox in Celicia), behind Patriarch Zakka, Dr Riyad Jarjur (General Secretary of MECC). On the other side of the president: Patriarch Boutros VII (Greek Orthodox in Alexandria & Africa), Archbishop Chrystosomos (Cyprus) Cardinal Sofeir (Maronites) then Patriarch Michel Sabbah (Latin Catholics - Palestine). Consecrating our church in Washington DC [Picture] ---------------------------------------- On Sunday Feb 8th '98, HH accompanied by 9 bishops consecrated St Mark church in Washington DC. Beside HH, Their Graces Abba Serapion, Suriel, Samuel, Ruweis, Joannes and Tadros and Fr Bishoy Andrews carrying the mic. [Picture] Beside the church lays the Social Club, we can see the dome, minaret and beautiful arches and columns. Egyptian Embassy in Washington DC: [Picture] --------------------------------- HH speaks to a big group of the Egyptian Community living in Washington DC both Copts and Muslims. Beside HH apears His Excellency Egyptian Embassador Mr Ahmed Maher. Appeared in the picture many bishops, priests, and media people. The meeting was dominated by a spirit of fraternal and National love. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Pope in England by HG Abba Joannes, Hegumen Antonios Thabet -------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wednesday Jan 28th evening, accompanied by HG Abba Joannes, HH left Larnaca airport in Cyprus for London UK. Many people were at the Cyprian airport for the farewell amongst were His Excellency Fadel El-Kady, Egyptian Embassador in Cyprus, HE Abba Bishoy, Fr Benjamin Anba-Paula (from Limassol), Fr Zakaria Anba-Paula (Nicosia) and Fr Athanasios Isaac (Greece). Around 22:00 o'clock, HH arrived at Hethrew airport England to be received by His Excellency Adel El-Gazzar Egyptian Embassador in UK, Dr Samiha Abu-Steit Egyptian General Consul, Mr Mohamed El-Maghreby Religious Affairs Head at the Embassy and Bishop Dennis, deputy for the Archbishop of Canterbury. From our church were there, Their Graces Abba Missael, Anthony, Barnabas and Damian. And priests, Heg.Antonios Thabet, Fr Bishoy Boushra, Fr Angelos Anba-Bishoy, Fr Mikhail Ibrahim, Dr Ihab Tadros and Dr Mina. All the group went to the Embassy. In their way, HH passed by Heg.Bishoy Boushra's house to visit his wife "Tasoni Nabila" who is ill, he prayed for her and annointed her. In the Egyptian Embassy: ----------------------- His Excellency Mr Embassador had prepared a dinner (all was fasting food) for HH, some of the Embassy staff were invited, Moslem leaders and Egyptian people, famous physicians, business men and priests. HE Abba Seraphim, our metropolitan and some british priests were there too. At the end of dinner, Mr Embassador welcomed HH and emphasized with pride HH positions inside and outside Egypt to ensure National Unity, defending Jerusalem and other Arab countries. As well as the positive role HH is playing to raise Egypt's name, caring and religious education for the Copts. HH gave a talk where he thanked the Embassador and his wife for the reception and congratulated him for being appointed this position in the Embassy in London. He congratulated all Moslem brothers for the Fitr feast, then he talked about the Iftar dinners which began in St Mark Cathedral 1986, then spread to all governorates, suburbs and abroad, where Moslems and Copts exchange words of fraternal love. HH invited all the audience to visit Egypt, talking in details about it's glorious history and several touristic sites, he assured the security and peace to all people. Then HH distributed presents to the people and at midnight, the reception was concluded and HH left for the Coptic Center in Stevenage in the North of London. In Stevenage: ------------ After one hour, HH arrvived to the Coptic Center, where many priests and deacons received him. There he stayed at St Athanasios Thelogical Seminary. Both on Thursday Jan 29th and Friday Jan 30th, HH gave theological lectures to more than 50 seminarian and many priests. Many bishops attended too. On Thursday morning, HH had private sessions with some priests, took lunch at Archangel Michael church and center with 5 bishops, 16 priest serving in UK, Scotland and Ireland. In a familial paternal atmosphere, all enjoyed HH words and advises. Then, HH answered many dogmatic and spiritual questions and all celebrated the Silver Jubilee for the ordination of Heg.Antonios Thabet and Heg.Bishoy Boushra priests of St Mark (London). On Thursday night, HH met priests and St Mark Kensington (London) church comittee members and encouraged them to purchase the building nearby to allow the expansion of the service in the church and it's activities. With the Lord's help, the purchase took place the next day and HH attended with the comittee a dinner. On Friday morning, HH began a serie of meetings: ----------------------------------------------- - Mr Abdalla El-Menawy for the (Arabic Magazine). - Representatives of the "Christian Aware Organization" which cares for Ecumenical relations between churches with Mrs Bahga El-Raheb (We wish her good health). - HH received the nun Joanna (Prince Theodore of Shatb Convent - Haret El-Rum) who had come to London for treatment. - At Eveneing, HH met with the congregation in Stevenage and talked about how to be a "Witness for God" and how the service expands. On Saturday, HH went to Hethrew airport to take his plane for New York. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH in New Jersey and New York by HG Abba Joannes -------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Saturday Jan 31st morning HH left Hethrew airport for New York. Many people were at Hethrew airport for the farewell amongst were His Excellency Adel El-Gazzar, Egyptian Embassador in UK, Dr Samiha Abu-Steit, General Consul and Their Graces Abba Misael, Anthony and Damian and priests of London. At New York Airport: ------------------- On Saturday 31st morning, HH accompanied by Abba Joannes arrived in the Concord plane to New York. Received them at the airport, Her Excellency Mrs Soheir Zaki General Egyptian Consul and Their Graces Abba Serapion (Los Angeles), Abba Youssef (South USA), Abba Makarius the Eritrean and Abba Suriel (General Bishops) and around 20 priests from New York and New Jersey and HH General Legal Advisor Mr Magued Riyad El-Deiry and a big number of deacons and congregation. At the Papal Residence (Cedar Grove): ------------------------------------ Then, HH went to the Papal residence in Cedar Grove, he was received by a big number of priests and congregation. He sat with them in a familial spiritual atmosphere, then went to his cell to rest. On Sunday Feb 1st, HH baptised 8 children with the assistance of bishops. A big lecture for the youth: --------------------------- On Sunday evening, HH went to Virgin Mary (East Brunswick) church where he met hundreds of young people who filled the beautiful church. He answered their questions, gave them a spiritual and dogmatic lecture about the Advantages of Christianity, the position of a human and relation to God from a christian perspective. At the Theological Seminary: --------------------------- Both on Monday Feb 2nd and Wednesday Feb 4th evenings, HH gave lectures to seminarians at the Theological Seminary in Cedar Grove. Requests for fouding new churches: --------------------------------- HH received representatives of many congregations in USA and Canada asking him to send priests for new churches: Virgin Mary (Lancaster), Virgin Mary (Albany, NY), St Antonios (South Jersey), St Mina (Concord, CA) and Virgin Mary (St Catherine, Canada). With 46 priest: -------------- On Tuesday morning, HH met with 46 priest from NJ, NY, the East Coast and Canada. HH answered their spiritual, dogmatic and ritual questions, they discussed the importance of having Coptic Colleges, Computerized church Database and the use of Internet. He also talked to them about the fast importance and it's exercises for the priest. Attended the meeting, Their Graces Abba Tadros, Makarios the Eritrean, Karas, Joannes and Suriel. Visiting church sites: --------------------- On Wednesday Feb 4th evening, HH and many bishops visited the church in Holmdel with Fr Shenouda Halim Tewfik, they visited the beautiful new large buildings. May the Lord bless the work and we hope HH can annoit it in his coming visit. Then HH visited the site that the congregation of Bayon would buy for the church. Accompanied HH the bishops, Fr George Greiss. HH liked the site and advised them positively for buying it and asked Mr Maged Riyad to take care of legal procedures. Late in the evening, HH received in Cedar Grove, Fr Wissa Bissada and comittee members of our church in Staten Island. They presented to HH the plan of the new site they would buy which costs 5.8 Million US$ and discussed the possibility of paying the amount. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH in Boston and Harvard -------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Thursday Feb 5th evening, accompanied by Their Graces Abba Karas, Joannes, Suriel and Heg Shenouda El-Baramosy HH arrived to Boston airport to be received by Heg Moussa El-Gohary (the church priest), Fr Mina Kamel Yanni (Brooklyn), Fr Morcos Guirguis (Rhode Island) and a big number of congregation and deacon choir who sang the Hymn Evlogimenos to receive HH from the plane door to the car. All the group went to the church to pray the Thanksgiving. Late in the evening, HH met the congregation who filled the beautiful church. After praying and answering the questions, HH talked about "Value of man to God" Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard: ----------------------------------- On Friday Feb 6th morning, HH, bishops and priests went to visit the new land bought by St Mark Boston in the region of Charleton, West Boston. The group was overjoyed to see the Lord's Hands in that wide and beautiful place. We remembered what we pray in the divine liturgy: "Peace and edification unto the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of God". The beloved Fr Moussa El-Gohary began by explaining the contents of the center and it's buildings and they visited it building by building. The Center is 40 miles far from Boston, on the area of 187 acres, mostly trees on the bank of a laque with a splendid view and including many buildings on 25 acres. One building was transfered to a beautiful church for 200 person. A reception building "St Mark", with large salons, large refectory and rooms to accomodate 40 person. Another building "Prince Theodor and Pope Shenouda" having a large equipped conference hall for 1000 person. A beautiful residence "St Mercurius Abu-Seifen" for HH and the bishops. A retreat House for young men "St George" accomodates 40 person. Another retreat House for young women "St Demyana" accomodates 40 person. 6 Chalets, each accomodating 4 persons. A water well "Samaritan well" and a bell. Playgrounds for Football, Basketball and Volleyball, swimming pool, a large ground for camping and toiletts, a piece of land shall be consecrated to became a cemetary for the church in Boston. After HH visited the place he said to Heg Moussa El-Gohary:"It is beyond imagination, it is the work of God with you" and he congratulated everybody for this beautiful Coptic Center and thanked them for their effort in arranging it quickly. Then the whole group went to Harvard University in Boston. At Harvard University: --------------------- HH had received an invitation from Harvard university to give a lecture about the "Coptic Orthodox Church". It is known that Harvard is one of the greatest universities in the whole world and the first one to be founded in USA in 1636. HH arrived on 15:00 o'clock and was presented to the audience by: Dr Allen Counter, Director of Harvard Foundation Prof. Diana ECK, prof. of Comparative Religions. Then HH gave a lecture about the Coptic church, it's old tradition and what characterises it in the whole world. HH explained the "One Nature" topic and talked about Theological agreements in it. He talked about today's life of the Coptic church, it's activities, specially for the care of people, monasticism, youth, expansion and Ecumenical work. And when HH concluded his words, the audience stood up and made a big applaus that lasted for a while. Then HH went to the Management Building of the University and was received by Dr Richard Hunt, the University Marshal. Then HH went to the reception building, where the university had prepared a vegetarian dinner. They all took the dinner with professors and students, welcoming words were given and were concluded by a word from HH. Consecrating our new church: --------------------------- On Saturday Feb 7th morning, HH once more came to Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard in Charleton West Boston where he blessed the foundation rock of a big church in this region. Then he consecrated three altars in the names of Virgin Mary and the heavenly hosts, Virgin Mary and martyrs, Virgin Mary and Saints. Then HH baptised eight children, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and gave a homilie. Participated with HH in the consecration prayers 4 bishops: Their Graces Abba Youssef, Karas, Joannes and Abba Suriel. After the mass, HH distributed presents for the congregation. How beautiful was that day: Consecrating a new church with it's activities. Joy of HH and the bishops. It was a real feast for the Copts in Boston. Then accompanied by bishops, HH traveled to Washington DC. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH in Washington DC -------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Saturday Feb 7th, HH and the accompanying group arrived to Washington DC airport to be received by His Excellency Ahmed Maher Egyptian Embassador in USA, some of the Embassy staff, Their Graces Abba Ruweis, Tadros, Serapion, Makarios and Abba Samuel as well as Fr Augustinos (Los Angeles), Fr Guirguis Abdel-Malak (Baltimore), Fr Bishoy Andrews (St Mark Washington) and big number of the congregation. In St Mark: ---------- >From the airport, HH went directly to our new church "St Mark" in Washington which was full of Coptic people. Our new church is in Fair Fax, West Washington. The church building is on one acre surrounded by eight acres. How beautiful is the simplicity of the architecture of the church. HH congratulated the people for their new church and thanked the effort done by Fr Shenouda El-Baramosy to build it. Then, on the occasion of the fast of Jonas, he spoke to the congregation about the importance of fasting. He emphasized the importance repentance and self control and answered many questions. Consecrating the church: ----------------------- Sunday Feb 8th '98 was a historical date for our new church "St Mark" in Washington. HH along with 9 bishops Their Graces Abba Tadros, Ruweis, Serapion, Makarios, Samuel, Youssef, Karas, Joannes and Abba Suriel consecrated the baptistry and the altar of the church. Attended the consecration prayers: His Excellency Ahmed Maher Egyptian Embassador in USA and his wife Mrs Hoda Maher. Mr Hamdy Loza, Delegate Embassador at the Embassy and his wife. Advisor Mr Abdel-Moneim El-Mashat Head of the Cultural Office at the Embassy. The Ethiopian Prince Armia and Princess Galila, Grand Children of the late Emperor Heilselassy. Mr Atef El-Ghamry Editor in chief of Al-Ahram Int'l in Washington. Mrs Amina El-Beshlawy from Voice of America. Delegates from Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and the Antiochian church in North America. HH talked about the importance of caring of children and youth. After the mass, he distributed presents to the attendance. It was a happy day for all. At the Egyptian Embassy: ----------------------- Accompanied by bishops and priests, HH went to the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, where Mr Ahmed Maher had prepared a reception for HH which was attended by more than 100 of the best Moslem and Coptic people. Mr Maher gave a word where he welcomed HH Pope Shenouda in Washington congratulated and was congratulated by all Copts for the new church. He explained the great role HH is playing to sustain and strenghten the National Unity. He concluded by saying:"With you, we all feel that our head are always in heaven, May the Lord keep you and keep Egypt under the leadership of our beloved president Mr Mubarak. Then HH gave a word thanking his excellency for the reception, and recomended all the audience to be a nice picture for their country. He explained how our country fights terrorism and terrorists, and that it takes sometime under the democratic system which our country lives those days. HH saluted the great efforts of President Mubarak for the wealth of our country, Economic and Agricultural Reformation, Toshky project and what God granted us: mines of Petrol, Natural Gaz, Iron mines. HH thanked the president also for delegating governors for the restoration of churches and the wonderful spirit of Prime Minister Dr Kamal El-Ganzury in this concern. HH thanked Dr Hamdy Zakzuk for his spirit and returning back many of the lands and buildings to the churches and monasteries, through a common comittee to study those matters. Pope Shenouda invited the audience to visit touristic places and explained that the government put tight security plans to secure them. Finally, HH distributed presents to the attendance and had an interview with Mrs Amina El-Beshlawy (Voice of America) and another TV interview with Mr Thabet El-Bardissy for AAN and MBC. Farewell: -------- On Monday Feb 9th morning, HH accompanied by HG Abba Joannes and Abba Suriel left Washington for Cleveland, Ohio. Many people were at Washington airport for the farewell amongst were Their Graces Abba Serapion, Makarios, Samuel, Youssef and Abba Karas and priests: Heg Shenouda El-Baramosy, Fr Bishoy Andrews, Fr Guirguis Abdel-Malak (Baltimore) and a big number of congregation. Were there too, Mr Hamdy Loza, deputy of the Embassador who was out of Washington. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HH in Cleveland -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Cleveland: ------------ On Monday Feb 9th, HH and the group arrived to Cleveland airport, received him Heg Mikhail Edward (Cleveland), Fr Yohanna Ragheb (Dayton, Colombus, Cincinati) and a number of the congregation. On Tuesday Feb 10th, HH met St Mark (Cleveland) congregation and gave a word to the people: "God in Jonas' trip" and how the Lord saved the travellers in the ship, people of Nineve and the Prophet Jonas. On Wednesday Feb 11th, accompanied by HG Abba Joannes and Abba Suriel, HH left Cleveland airport for New Jersey where he was received by HG Abba Serapion, Abba Makarios and a big number of priests and congregation. In New Jersey: ------------- On Thursday Feb 12th morning, HH went to St Peter Hospital, New York to ask about the health of Fr Mina Gaber (Helwan) who is visiting some relatives in USA and got ill and had to go to St Peter (New Brunswick) Hospital. On Thursday Feb 12th evening, HH accompanied by Their Graces Abba Makarios, Joannes and Abba Suriel to visit Mr Magued Riyad HH legal advisor in USA Office (Park Avenue, Manhaten, NY) where he prayed and blessed the office. Then he went to the Egyptian Consulate in New York. In the Egyptian Consulate in New York: ------------------------------------- On Thursday Feb 12th evening, HH visited our Egyptian Consulate in New York, he was received by Her Excellency Embassador Soheir Zaki, Egyptian General consul, Advisor Abdel-Kerim Soliman General Consul Deputy, Deputy Minister Magued Abdel-Aziz and other consulate staff. The consulate was full with New York and New Jersey priests and a big number of Egyptians. Her Excellency began by welcoming Pope Shenouda, and emphasizing HH National spirit, love to Egypt, his wisdom, simplicity, humility and gentleness. Then HH gave a word and said: We salute Egypt our country, who over the time, once got in trouble could overcame it. I invite you brothers to visit Egypt your country and it's touristic sites and invest your money there. We salute President Mohamed Hosny Mubarak and men of our government for their good spirit in solving problems, it needs sometime, solving those problem should take place in a spirit of love and cooperation not with unadequate articles and books. We refuse any foreign interference in our country. And here, HH Pope Shenouda quoted what Pope Boutros El-Gawly said 200 years ago to the Russian Delegate who had presented Russian protection to the Copts. He told him: Is your Cesar Mortal or Immortal? He answered "Mortal for sure" so the Pope responded:"We are protected by an immortal king". Then HH spoke about deep fraternel love which binds him to Dr Mohamed Sayed Tantawy Cheikh of Al-Azhar Mosque. And how the latter interfered to solve the problem of the Coptic College in Tema and many other problems too. HH saluted the audience and advised them not to follow any rumors, but to check the news and he wished them all the best. Then HH distributed presents to everybody. Social building in Rutherford: ----------------------------- On Friday Feb 13th evening, HH accompanied by bishops visited the new social building of St Antonios and St Mina (East Rutherford). Fr Athanasios Farag explained the new building (300 meters West of the church), including 2 halls and more than 15 room for Sunday School, Computer and youth activities. HH spread blessed water and congratulated Fr Athanasios for buying it. Then HH went to Archangel Michael & St Mina (Staten Island). Our church in Staten Island: --------------------------- HH met with young people in High School both from New York and New Jersey. He answered their questions and gave a spiritual word about the glorious Coptic church after which he distributed presents to the youth who winned the Spiritual quizzes as follows: St Mark (Jersey City), St George (Philadelphia), St Mina (Holmdel), St Abraam (Long Island), Archangel Michael and St Mina (Staten Island). With priests and comittee of Virgin Mary (East Brunswick): --------------------------------------------------------- On Saturday Feb 14th evening, HH received in Cedar Grove Heg Bishoy Dimitry, Fr Antonios Tanios, Virgin Mary (East Brunswick) comittee who thanked HH to appoint Fr Mikhail Tobia, priest for the church and discussed the project of the Social services affiliated to the church. At St Mark Jersey City: ---------------------- On Sunday Feb 15th evening, in the Papal residence in Cedar Grove, HH met Fr Abraam Daoud and the congregation of St Mark (Jersey City) to choose a new comittee for the church. After asking people's opinion, and checking the election results the new comittee was chosen. Back to Egypt: ------------- On Sunday Feb 15th evening, HH accompanied by HG Abba Joannes left the airport of New York for Egypt. Many people were at New York airport for the farewell amongst were Her Excellency Embassador Soheir Zaki General Egyptian Consul in NY, Their Graces Abba Makarios, Youssef, Karas and Abba Suriel as well as a great number of priests and congregation and Mr Magued Riyad El-Deiry, HH Legal Advisor in USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Orthodox Dialog Comittee Meeting by HG Abba Serapion -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the period Feb 2-5 '98 in Damascus Syria, The Care and Liturgy Comittee one of the comittees of the International Dialog Comittee between the two Orthodox Families met. Attended the meetings 28 delegates from the two families. Meetings were held at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox church hall of Damascus. The opening session was attended by HH MarIgnatius IV Hazeem, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and HH Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of Antioch and all the East for Syrian Orthodox. In the opening words they encouraged the participants and expressed their genuine desire to restore comunion between the two families as soon as possible. Both Metropolitan Damaskinos of Switzerland and HE Abba Bishoy Metropolitan of Damiet presented two words about the activities they have done since the last meeting in 1993. They both talked about the mission of the Care Comittee and the Liturgical Comittee and what is required to be achieved in the meeting. Both Abba Bishoy and Metropolitan Damaskinos took interchangably the role of chair person for sessions for the whole period. HE Abba Bishoy presented a paper on: "Interpretation of the Official Christological Agreements" while Heg Tadros Yacoub Malty presented a paper on: "Pastoral Efforts towards Unity". Prof Phentolis, professor of Liturgies at Thessaloniki University in Greece presented two papers about liturgical topics. Another paper prepared by Fr Shenouda Maher Isaac was distributed. After detailed discussions of the papers presented, the following was decided: 1- Preparing and publishing books and brochures explaining the Agreements that were so far reached through the Orthodox Dialog Comittee in St Bishoy monastery 1989, and in 1990 and 1993 in Chambesy, Switzerland. Books shall be prepared for Clergy and servants while simpler books shall be presented for laymen. Each family shall prepare books for itself emphasizing how the other family too preserved and maintained the original apostolic tradition and right Orthodox faith over the time. 2- Using all available media to inform about what was published in the agreements to prepare the congregations to restore full communion. 3- Stress the point that churches of the two families maintained the old liturgical tradition which was together there in the early church before the schism in the middle of the 5th century. The church had many liturgies, and this diversity didn't bind the full comunion in the early church. 4- Existent liturgical differences should be theologicaly studied to decide how far they go with the agreements reached so far. Diversity of liturgies and traditions is accepted, as long as it doesn't oppose agreements that were signed concerning the nature of Christ. 5- Forming a comittee out of six Liturgical and Ritual experts (three of each family) to prepare common studies in Liturgies and Rituals. It was decided that this comittee shall gather for one week this year from Easter to Epiphany in Athens, Greece. At the end of the meetings: -------------------------- On Thursday Feb 6th, upon the invitation of HH Zakka Eiwass I, all participants visited St Avraam monastery (in Ma'ret Sedyana half an hour from Damascus). St Avraam mon. includes a big church, Theological Seminary, Conference and Celebration Hall, places to accomodate seminarians and guests. Some monks do live at the monastery. Worth to mention that HH Patriarch Zakka Eiwass cared for the restoration of the monastery. Represented the Coptic church in the meeting: HE Abba Bishoy, Metropolitan of Damiet, HG Abba Benjamin bishop of Menufia, HG Abba Serapion bishop of Los Angeles, Heg Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Fr Athanasios Henein (Greece), Fr Shenouda Maher Isaac and Dcn Rushdy Wassef. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miscellaneous News -------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Tuesday Feb 17th evening, HH gave a lecture at the Cairo Book Fair it was attended by thousands of people. HH answered many questions, directed the seminar Dr Samir Sarhan. In Stevenage, HH received HG Abba Damian, General Bishop of Germany once about the service in his diocese, then another time with Dr Malak Shenouda, member of "Paroisse de l'Archange Michel et de St.Georges" comittee in Paris. HH wrote a delegation for HG Abba Damian to buy a building for this church which is currently served by Heg Moussa Anba-Bishoy. HG Abba Anthony, bishop of Ireland, Scotland and North East UK attended HH meetings in Stevenage with 5 of his priests: Heg Archelaos Al-Makary (New Castle), Heg Demetrios Anba-Bishoy (Doncaster), Fr Isaiah El-Baramosy (Kent), Fr Mark Aziz (Scotland) and Fr Athanasios Fahmy (Ireland) -- Program of HG trip: Wednesday Feb 4th (Gothenburg, Sweden), Saturday Feb 7th (Stockholm, Sweden), Wednesday Feb 11th (Helsinki, Finland), Saturday Feb 14th (Copenhagen, Denmark) then HG returned back to Ireland. HH received a fax, signed by all Copts in Finland, expressing their deep gratitude for HH having sent HG Abba Anthony who celebrated the first Coptic Mass ever for them on Saturday Feb 14th '98. The people were so happy by this mass and the church was named Virgin Mary and St George. A Presidential Decree No 41/1998 was issued to build St Mark church in PortFouad. We thank Mr President and our deepest congratulations to HG Abba Tadros Bishop of PortSaid and Copts in PortFouad. May the Lord help them to build their church. Fr Raphael, priest of St George Sydney visited Egypt with a trip of youth from Australia. They attended HH weekly lecture on Wednesday Feb 18th, then they returned to Australia. On Thursday Feb 5th morning, HH received a group of priests representing the common meeting of our Oriental Orthodox Priests in New York and New Jersey: Coptic: Fr Daoud Bebawy (St George, Jersey City), Fr Yacoub Ghaly (Upstate). Syrian: Khoury Episcopos John Mineau, Fr Elyias. Ethiopian: Fr Absalom Maurice. Armenian: Fr Daniel Findltyson, Fr Vanan Hovhanessian. Indian (Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church): Fr Johnson, Sr Steven. Attended the meeting Abba Makarios, Abba Joannes and Abba Suriel. It was agreed that next March 9th, HH Pope Shenouda (Coptic), HH Zakka Eiwass I and Catholicos Aram Kesheshyan (Armenian) shall meet to exchange views about brethren churches in church and dogmatic points. They shall gather in Cairo and in the monastery. They will attend HH weekly lecture on (Wednesday Mar 10th). A schedule of the meetings was prepared by a common comittee of three metropolitains from the three churches. After long discussion, HG Abba Damian, general bishop of Germany got a big cathedral et Lichtenberg, Berlin (Lichtenberg) means mountain of light it is close to Magdalen str metro station. A contract was signed to get the church for the period of 99 years. This took place in a feast which was attended by the maire and the deputy of the Egyptian Embassador. They invited HH Pope Shenouda to come, even next April to consecrate the church. On Feb 18th morning, HH received Heg Youhanna El-Baramosy, priest of our church in Vienna. Who is in Egypt in the period Feb 5th - Mar 5th. He invited HH to put the founding rock for Virgin Mary Zeitoun New church in Vienna. This is supposed to take place next mid-April (After Easter). -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In this translation many abbreviations were used: ------------------------------------------------ HH: His Holiness, for Popes and Patriarchs. HE: His Eminence, for Metropolitans. HG: His Grace, for Bishops. Heg. or Hg. : Hegumen, prior priest. Dcn.: Deacon, for full deacons. NY: New York NJ: New Jersey DC: District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | + | | COPTIC ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE + + + Translated and maintained | | Computer Departement + Shenouda M Abdou | | cop@idsc.gov.eg + shenouda@bitsmart.com | | + + + | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-