CHURCHNEWS an electronic magazine for Immigrant Egyptian Churches in the world _________________________________________________________________________ 'ChurchNews' is a selected translation of the News section in the Arabic Church magazine El-Keraza. Direct any suggestions: cop@idsc.gov.eg _________________________________________________________________________ Keraza No.: 21, 22 I | X Date: Friday May 29th 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ Church Historical Events.............................................. Miscellaneous News.................................................... Priests............................................................... New Books............................................................. Endnotes.............................................................. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= C H U R C H H I S T O R I C A L E V E N T S =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= All say that crowning a Patriarch for the Eritrean Orthodox church is an important historical event, preceeded by the ordination of 2 then 5 Eritrean bishops. Another important event is the formation of the Eritrean Orthodox Synod which makes an independant church. Before those important historical events, we would like to mention several other historical events which happened too in the Coptic church: 1- The growth of Sunday School in Egypt, so that one of it's servants became the Pope of Alexandria. 2- Founding Coptic churches in the lands of immigration so that we have dozens of churches in USA, Canada, Europe and Australia amounting to 150 church. 3- Founding Coptic monasteries in California, Australia and Europe. 4- Preparing the Holy Chrysm four times during the last quarter of century. 5- Building 3 branches to the Theological Seminary in the West. 6- Missionary work in Africa so that we have many churches in Kenya, Zambia, Zembabwe, Congo (Zaire), Tanzania, Oghanda and South Africa. The Holy Liturgy was translated to many local african languages. 7- Consecrating bishops for in Africa, the West and Immigration Countries. 8- Ordaining Non-Egyptian bishops from French, Dutch and English nationalities. 9- The increase of number of Metropolitans and bishops amounting to 85. 10- Formulating a Charter for the Holy Synod on 1985 to organize it's work. 11- Oradaining general bishops for education, Social services, youth... 12- Bringing back monastic life to many old monasteries 1000 years after as St Demyana monastery (Barary), St Shenouda (Suhag), some monasteries in Akhmim and the monastery of St Pachomius (Edfu). 13- Building the Cathedral. 14- Moving the Papal Residence to St Ruweis monastery Area. 15- Participation in many Ecumenical movements. The Pope of Alexandria for the first time became member of both the World Council of Churches (WCC - Geneva) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC - Cyprus) Presidium and the Coptic church represented in local ecumenical councils in different countries. 16- Among historical events, the restoration of the Theological Seminary on 1893 after it's work had stopped for 12 centuries. For the first time the director of the Seminary becomes bishop. 17- The return of the Theological Dialog and reaching a solution concerning the "Nature of Christ" with Catholics after a difference for 15 century. 18- The return of preaching bishops, metropolitans and Pope after it had stopped preaching in public for long centuries. 19- Among the great events we are awaiting for, the second millenium of the birth of Christ and His flight to Egypt. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= MISCELLANEOUS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= HH Pope Shenouda received a present from Abuna Philopos Patriarch of Eritrea. It is a beautiful piece of Etitrean art used to preserve the holy sacraments during communion without it being exposed to the public [Picture] In the picture we see HH the Patriarch and HG Abba Morcos the Eritrean, between them appears the translators while explaining to Pope Shenouda. On Wednesday May 20th, HH Abuna Philopos returned to Cairo to attend Pope Shenouda's lecture after a long journey to St Demyana nunnery (Barary) and Ras El-Barr. On Friday Pope Shenouda visited HH and advised him to pass some medical tests analysis to get sure about his health before returning to Eritrea. He was accompanied there by HG Abba Joannes. On Thursday May 21st, Pope Shenouda received Fr Ologius El-Shenudy, Fr Wissa El-Shenudy and Engineer Kamil Lam'e Stephanos concerning the restoration work taking place at St Shenouda monastery (Suhag) attended the meeting HG Abba Joannes and Abba Gabriel. In the period May 15th - June 2nd, HG Abba Morcos is traveling to Norway upon an invitation from The Church of Norway. HG is accomanied by Heg. Bishoy El-Antuny and sister Lolita Na'eem. In this trip HG shall visit bishops and churches, give lectures about the Coptic church, it's revival, the role of children, and christianity in the middle east. >From July 1st we shall have 2 new churches in Kenya: St Antonios in Gombi and St Mark in Sanganina. Our best congratulations to the priests and congregation of those regions. On the occasion of the inauguration of the TV News Nile SAT Channel, HH Pope Shenouda received Ms Mohtab Eid and some of the members of the channel. They recorded with HH a word of congratulation and best wishes for the new born channel. Wednesday May 20th, HH received Dr Wagdy Labib owner of St Fatima Schools and the Parliement advisor for private education. On the same day, HH received Mr Elias Francis Ibrahim, senior of Copts in Urguay (South America). He lived there for more than 50 years. His daughter (Aida) accompanied him. Attended the meeting General Nabil Luka, the Senate Member. HH received members of the Choir "Coptic Theater Choir" who won the first price in Europe last year. HH received them before their travel to Belgium, Poland and Germany where they shall perform in the period May 21st - June 5th. In the period May 3-11th, Tasoni Ruth Elia gave a number of lectures in a course addressing directors of Special Education centers in Syria. Syrian press published detailed reports about those lectures concerning: 1- Volunteer work, definition, importance, principles and dynamics 2- How to plan an educational day and how to choose lessons' topic. 3- Introduction to Curicullum Design, Samples and how to manage the class. She participated as well in a comittee (of 3 persons) to evaluate the course. It was a chance for her to receive the blessing of HH MarZakka Eiwass Patriarch of Antioch and attended a mass where HG Abba Serapion (Bishop of South California and Hawaii) participated. She met with many Syrian Orthodox deaconnesses as well. She also met with Mr Ali Khalil minister of Social Affairs and Labour. HH received a letter from Mr Roy Mowselly assistant of Jean Vanier (pioneer in the work of mental handicaps) anouncing his joy to have Deaconess Ruth lecturing in Syria. Priests: ------- By the ordination of the new priests, Fr Raphael Farid Wassef's service is achieved and he shall return back to his previous service in Dakahlia. Fr Pigol Anba-Bishoy priest of our church in "El-Ein - UAE" came for a visit to the mother church. On Tuesday May 19th, HH received Heg Mikhail Edward our priest in Cleveland before returning back to his parish on Friday May 22nd. On Wednesday May 20th, Fr Arsenios Bassili Ragheb priest of St Athanasios Cathedral (Nasr City) traveled with his wife to Germany on a treatment trip. We wish him health. Prime minister Dr Kamal El-Ganzury covered all expenses from the government. May the Lord reward him. In the period May 17-27th, Fr Sharobim El-Moharaky, the appointed monk for our Coptic monastery in France is in a visit to the mother church. The monk Suriel El-Baramosy traveled to join the family of St Antonios monastery (Kroeffelbach - Germany). On Wednesday May 13th, HH received His Excellency the Romanian Embassador in Egypt Mr Dora Costea who relayed a message from the president of Romania inviting him to the "Religions Meeting" which shall take place end of the coming August. Attended the meeting HG Abba Gabriel. It came to us from Fr Shenouda Halim Tewfik that the first stage of the building of the new church in Holmdel NJ is achieved. [Picture] The picture taken from a private airoplane by one of the church congregation shows the church from the Eastern side. Our Congratulations, May the Lord bless the work. New Books: --------- In Sydney Australia, a new book of Pope Shenouda "Contemplations on the prayer of Thanksgiving and Psalm 51 (50)" was translated by Mrs Ramza Bassilious and published by COPT (Coptic Orthodox Publication and Translation) - 96 pages. Heg. Mikhail Edward (Coptic priest in Cleveland Ohio) published a book: "The greatest acquaintance party" Three volumes, the first was printed in USA while the second and third were published by the Bishopric of Youth. The book compiles the life of 252 saint. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Endnotes: -------- HH : His Holiness, title for Popes and Patriarchs. HE : His Eminence, title for Metropolitans. HG : His Grace, title for Bishops. Heg. or Hg. : Hegumen, prior priest. Dcn : Deacon, for full deacons. BLESS : Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social services. Abba : Old Coptic word meaning father, used for Coptic metropolitans, bishops and the Pope. Abuna : Arabic word meaning "Our Father" used to address priests and hegumens. This title is also used in the Eritrean Orthodox church as title for the Patriarch, metropolitans and bishops and also in the Ethiopian church. Servant: Volunteer steward in the Coptic church activities, sometimes used to designate Sunday school teachers. Mayamer: in singular (Meimar) Syrianic word designating biography of a saint. Tamav : Coptic word meaning "my mother" used as title for abbesses and any mother superior of a Coptic convent. Tasoni : Coptic word meaning "my sister" used as title for Coptic deaconness or priest wife. Sayedna: Arabic word "Our Master" used to address the Pope, metropolitans and bishops. Eskeem : Built in the form of a cross worn by monks who spent many years of monasticism. Care Stick: Stick in the hand of Popes, Patriarchs, metropolitans and diocesian bishops. Prior : 1- (Abuna El-Wekeel) In Cairo and Alexandria Patriarchates, a married priest or hegumen delegated by the Pope to manage churches and priests in the Pope's diocese. There exist a prior for the Patriarchate in Cairo (Cairo churches), another in Alexandria (Alexandria churches) n.b. Those two priors are the only married priests who are members of the Holy Synod of the Coptic church. 2- (El-Robbeta) In a monastery, a prior is a monk, usually a priest monk chosen by the abbot to manage the monastery affairs when the abbot is away. Holy Synod: Presided by the Pope, the synod gathers all Coptic Orthodox Metropolitans and Bishops + the 2 Patriarchates' priors in Cairo and Alexandria. Congregational Council: (Maglis Milli) Laymen council assisting in managing the church affairs. The general Congregational council in Cairo, presided by HH Pope Shenouda and including 24 laymen (12 member+12 delegate). Regional congregational councils exist in all dioceses they are presided by the diocese bishop and include 5 members each. Wakf : Endowment. In Plural Awkaf Many lands and/or building which were endowed to the Coptic church or monasteries since many centuries. All the production and/or rent goes to finance the church. It is like property but the church is not entitled to sell it. n.b. There exists in Egypt a special ministery directing moslem endowments while most Coptic ones are directed by "Hay'et El-Awkaf Al-Kepteya" Coptic Endowments Trust. Tafus : Cemetery of a monastery. NY : New York NJ : New Jersey DC : District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=