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.: 31, 32 I | X Date: Friday Aug 7th 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ History of the church in immigration countries........................... The Pope's trip.......................................................... Book Review.............................................................. Miscellaneous News....................................................... Endnotes................................................................. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN IMMIGRATION COUNTRIES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= HH cared for recording two main issues in modern times: The history of Sunday school since it's begining. and the History of the church in immigration countries. As for Sunday school, he had called many of it's old servants before their departure, and encouraged them to write what they know about this history. Among whom: Heg Boules Boules, Heg Saleeb Suriel, Dr Ragheb Abdel-Nur, the lawyer Mr Louis Zekry..etc As for the history of the church in immigration countries, old immigrants began to compile it and HH received a lot of information. HH contacted the Coptic priests in immigration countries to compile this history before it disappears or gets confused in the mind of some. The history of the church abroad includes the following: 1- The history of Coptic communities before having a church. Their thought and activities to have it done. 2- Beginning the non-organized priest services, when the priest visits the communities may be once a month. 3- Renting churches from other denominations. 4- Buying churches or land to build churches. 5- Priest service: Which priest served the church, did he stay on temporary or permanent basis. 6- When did the church acquired it's own building? 7- When the church altar was consecrated? Who consecrated it? The Pope or a delegated bishop? 8- When were the icons and the baptistery consecrated? 9- Does the church have other buildings, lands, or any other care projects? 10- Does the church serve other areas? When began this service? The services schedule? Did any services convert to other local churches? 11- What services does the church afford in the field of care? With details. 12- The details of the Sunday School services, number or students in each stage and number of classes. 13- Who are the members of the "Church Board"? What Papal decrees appeared in those concerns? 14- Does the church publish a magazine? Newsletter? or books? 15- The church financial status? Are there any debts on the church? 16- Sending a map showing the location of the church and affiliated areas and surroundings. 17- Sending photos of the church and all its buildings, priests, servants, church board members and all other workers. 18- Did the church record the congragation details? Number of families, recorded individuals with their addresses and phone numbers. 19- The church address and phone numbers. 20- The address and phone number of the priest. 21- Are all Church Service Books translated? 22- Services provided to the youth. Is there a library? a club? Do they participate in any Youth conventions? 23- Is there a Coptic school? or a project of having a school or kindergarten? 24- Is there a Elderly House affiliated to the church? 25- Any other information about the church and it's activities can be added. Those information should be sent to HH before his coming trip in September or they would be delievered to him during the Seminar. The church in Australia had published a book about it's history, no doubt that new information appeared after it's publication. Therfore, we urge churches in Europe to have a special report to write this history. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE POPE'S TRIP =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= London: ------ Accompanied by Their graces Abba Sarabamon (Abbot of the monastery of St Bishoy) and Abba Antony (Bishop of Scotland, Ireland and East England), HH flew to London on Thursday 23 July. At the airport he was received by His Excellency Mr Aly El-Gazzar Egyptian Ambassador in England and Dr Samiha Abu-Steit the General Consul. He was also greeted by Their Graces Abba Athanasios, Abba Bishoy, Abba Seraphim, Abba Misael and priests of the Coptic churches in London and Birmingham. HH had a special session with HE Metropolitan Athanasios to ask about his health. HH met as well with the board of St Mark (London) with it's priests (Heg Antonios Thabet and Heg Bishoy Boushra) and with Fr Angelos Anba-Bishoy and Fr Mikhail Ibrahim. New Jersey: ---------- Accompanied by HG Abba Sarabamon, HH arrived to the airport of New York on Friday 24 July. Received him at the airport, HG Abba Serapion, Abba Macarius (the Eritrean), Abba Suriel, some priests and his Legal Advisor (Mr Maged El-Deiry). HH drove on to his residence in Cedar Grove where he met a number of priests and congregation. The Coptic College Project in Montreal: -------------------------------------- In his residence in Cedar Grove, HH received both Heg Bishoy Isaac Saad and Fr Mikhail Aziz priest of St Mark (Montreal, Canada) who proposed a project of founding a Coptic College affiliated to the church. It shall begin with Kindergarten and Primary school then it shall grow. The official permits were issued for that. They discussed the idea with HH and invited him to inaugurate it next September. The icons of the church in Toronto: ---------------------------------- HH received Fr Ruweis concerning St George and St Ruweis (Toronto), he delegated Tasoni Sawsan to paint it's icons. Detroit: ------- On Saturday 25 July morning, accompanied by Abba Sarabamon and Abba Suriel, HH flew to Detroit. The party was received by both Abba Antonios-Marcos and Abba Moussa who were leading a Youth Convention in the area. HH visited Heg Raphael Sobhy in the hospital, met with the family and Dr Raouf (the physician). HH visited him once more before flying to Cleveland. HH rested in Cleveland on Saturday evening to fly to Los Angeles. Los Angeles: ----------- At the airport of Los Angeles HG Abba Serapion and many priests and congregation received HH. From the airport, HH drove on directly to the house where HG Abba Karas stays to ask about his health. Abba Karas had many people waiting with him. After speaking to all the people, HH had a private session with HG, he prayed for him and annoited him with the Holy Oil. Then HH met with the priests of the diocese of Los Angeles in the Diocese Residence and with their bishop Abba Serapion. The meeting was about the service. HH visited also the City of Hope Hospital which is specialised in Malignancy, he wasked the physicians about the illness of Abba Karas. HH visited also his children there [Picture] he is seen in the picture while praying to a kid and annointing her with oil. He prayed also for another kid and annointed him with oil. Priests that HH met during his trip: ----------------------------------- 1,2 Heg Antonios Thabet & Heg Bishoy Boushra (London) for the service. 3 Fr Angelos Anba-Bishoy (Stevenage) for the Theological Seminary. 4,5 Heg Bishoy Ishaak & Fr Mikhail Aziz (Montreal) for founding a Coptic College there 6 Heg Moussa El-Gohary (Boston) concerning the priests' seminar next September. 7 Fr Shenouda Maher to organize his ministry during the coming period 8 Fr Yacoub Ghali to buy 10 acres (Upstate NY) for St Mary & St Pachomius 9 Fr Girgis Sobhy (Long Island) to have somebody help him in the service. 10- Fr Antonios Macarius (Queens) buying 57 acre for the Youth & Retreat. 11- Fr Bishoy Dimitry (East Brunswick) to ask about his health and inaugurate the church Service Center next February. 12- Fr George Grace (Bayon) concerning his ministry and buying a new piece of land for the church. 13- Fr Athanasios Farag (Rutherford) concerning the library and the Theological Seminary. 14- Fr Abraam Daoud Soliman (St Mark Jersey City) concerning church matters. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= BOOK REVIEW =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Armenian Orthodox Publication Association in Armenia chose HH book "The Release of the Spirit" to be translated into Armenian and published for the benefit of the Sunday School, youth and congregation in general. Now it is under press after HE Abba Bishoy confered to them HH approval for it's publication. A letter of gratitude arrived from Archmandrite Mikhail (Special Secretary of the Catholicos in Armenia) confirming the desire in strenghtening the binds of the two churches. Worth to mention that this same book was previously translated to English, French, Syrianic, Italian and many other languages. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= M I S C E L L A N E O U S N E W S =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Tuesday 21 morning HH attended the graduation feast of the Police Academy. On the next day (Wednesday) he attended the graduation of the Military Academy. The convent of Prince Theodore celebrated the feast of it's saint. For this occasion, HH delegated HG Abba Gabriel the General Bishop to celebrate the mass in the convent. On Sunday 19 July HE Metropolitan Bishoy flew to London to attend the Anglican Lambeth Conference which is held once every ten years. He represented the Coptic church as observer. During the conference period he taught at our Theological Seminary in Stevenage and following an invitation from HE Metropolitan Seraphim, he gave a talk concerning the Theological Dialogue to British people. He was present among the people who received HH when he came to London and at the farewell at the airport. On Monday 20 July morning, HH drove onto Virgin Mary Church (Zeitoun) where he entered the tomb of Heg Boutros Gayed under the church and prayed as shown in the picture [Picture] Then he came up in the church and celebrated a mass that was attended by thousands of people and 13 bishop: Their Graces Abba Dometius, Timotheos, Sarabamon, Ignatius, Kyrollos (Nage' Hamady), Picenty, Yohanna, Daniel, Justus, Joannes, Antony, Damian and Abba Gabriel. In the same day HH ordained Eng. Nazeer son of the Late Heg Boutros Gayed as successor to his father among the love of thousands of people. In the evening, a lunch was organised at the Papal Residence to celebrate it and was attended by many bishops, priests and laymen. On Monday 20 July, HH received Dr Ossama El-Baaz, Head of the Political Office of President Hosny Mubarak. Attended the meeting, Their Graces Abba Joannes, Abba Gabriel and Dr Fakhry Abdel-Nour member of the General Congregational Council. St George church (Sydney) celebrates it's Silver Jubilee during the whole year. It is organized and supervised by it's priest Fr Morcos Khella who extended his invitation to all fathers who previously served in Australia or had a relation with. Our best congratulations for the church. HH delegated HG Abba Suriel the General Bishop to study the project of the Coptic Center in Red Deer, Alberta Canada. On July 2nd '98 (25 Paouni), HE Abba Daniel the metropolitan of Khartoum accompanied by HG Abba Sarabamon Bishop of Om-Dorman and Atbara, he ordained 3 new monks for the monastery St Antonios and St Moussa after it had recently been approved by the Holy Synod. The new monks names are: Monk Boutros El-Antony Ava-Moussa, Monk Yohanna El-Antony Ava-Moussa and Monk Matta El-Antony Ava-Moussa. Many monks attended the ordination amongst were: Heg Matthaus El-Antony, Heg Abdel-Nour El-Antony, Fr Damian El-Antony and Monk Jeremiah El-Antony. Our deepest congratulations for the monastery for the renewal of monastic life. HH meets 13 Metropolitan and bishop in his trip: ----------------------------------------------- In London HH met with HE Abba Bishoy, Abba Athanasios, Abba Seraphim, Abba Ruweis, Abba Misael and Abba Antony. In New Jersey he met with HG Abba Serapion, Abba Macarius the Eritrean, Abba Suriel and Bishop Samuel the Abbot of the Monastery of St Samuel. In the rest of his trip he met with HG Abba Antonios-Marcos, Abba Moussa and Abba Karas. Priest News: ----------- In the period July 10th-August 7th, Heg Yohanna Thabet of Virgin Mary Church (Ardel Golf) flew to Sydney to attend the Silver Jubilee of St George church as he is one of those who served there. Heg Kyrollos Henein of Mataria travels to Australia. >From Belgium Fr Luka El-Baramosy came to visit the mother church. Fr Mikhail Sabry who served in Ottawa and Brooklyn returned to his church in Archangel Michael church (Heliopolis). The 75th birthday of Pope Shenouda: ---------------------------------- On August 3rd '98, Pope Shenouda celebrated 75 years of age through a mass held at St Shenouda The Archmandrite church of the Papal Residence in St Bishoy Monastery. Before the mass, HH annointed the new marble altar of the church and the "Almighty" Fresco at the arc facing the altar. Participated in the prayers, the abbots of the monasteries of the Natroun Valley. Bishop Sarabamon Abbot of St Bishoy Monastery, Bishop Matthaus Abbot of Virgin Mary Syrian Monastery and Bishop Isodorus Abbot of Virgin Mary Baramos Monastery. HH spent the rest of the day in seclusion in his cell in the monastery after he had delayed all his appointments in Cairo. HE Metropolitan Bishoy: ---------------------- He received Pope Shenouda at London airport when he arrived to England on Thursday 23 July and greeted hom before HH left for the States on July 24th evening. He accompanied HH through all his journey in England. HH delegated him to go to our church in Wales to try solving some managerial problems there. Abba Bishoy gave a talk in English about the Theological Dialogue between the two Orthodox families in a hall in London. HE Abba Seraphim the Metropolitan of the British Orthodox who follow our church organized the meeting. Attended the meeting Archbishop Gregorius representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch in London and a number of Theologians interested in this dialogue. HE Abba Bishoy taught "Dogmas" and "Ecumenical Dialogue" in St Athanasios Theological College - Stevenage. HE keeps attending the "Anglican Bishops Lambeth Conference" as observer from the Coptic Church. On Wednesday 29July, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey had met with representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and discussed matters concerning the Theological and Interchurch Dialogue. Close to the end of the conference, HE shall fly to California to visit HG Abba Karas and in his way back to Cairo he passes by Cleveland Ohio for some periodical medical tests and returns back to Cairo on August 14th evening stopping at New Jersey and London. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Endnotes: -------- 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 used in both the Eritrean and the Ethiopian Orthodox churches as title for the Patriarch, metropolitans and bishops. The latter is sometimes spelled Abune. Awkaf : Endowments BLESS : Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social services. Care Stick: Stick in the hand of Popes, Patriarchs, metropolitans and diocesian bishops. 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. DC : District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America. Dcn : Deacon, for full deacons. Eskeem : Belt in the form of a cross worn by monks who spent many years and reached a high degree of monasticism. HE : His Eminence, title for Metropolitans. Heg. or Hg. : Hegumen, prior priest. HG : His Grace, title for Bishops. HH : His Holiness, title for Popes and Patriarchs. Holy Synod: Presided by the Pope, the synod gathers all Coptic Orthodox Metropolitans and Bishops + the 2 Patriarchates' priors in Cairo and Alexandria. Kolonsoa: A head cover black tissue worn by Coptic monks and nuns as well as bishops and the Pope. It is decorated by 6 crosses of both the right and left side of the head representing the 12 apostles seperated by a line in the middle and one cross on the back representing Christ. According to tradition an angel appeared St Anthony in that dress. LA : Los Angeles, California USA Mayamer: in singular (Meimar) Syrianic word designating biography of a saint. Mulid : popular events combining piety, fun and commerce. People sing, dance, eat and pray together. Coptic Mulids now changed to spiritual seasons for celebrating and praying. NJ : New Jersey NY : New York 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. In the same way we have priors of Dioceses, they assit the bishop in managing the Diocese affairs. 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. Sayedna: Arabic word "Our Master" used to address the Pope, metropolitans and bishops. Servant: Volunteer steward in the Coptic church activities, sometimes used to designate Sunday school teachers. 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. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=