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.: 33, 34 I | X Date: Friday Aug. 21st 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ Seminars ................................................................ Illustrated News ........................................................ News from the mother church ............................................. Endnotes ................................................................ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= S E M I N A R S =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A seminar is a circle of study from which the word "Seminary" derived as it is formed out of theology study circles. Seminars are study circles aiming to discuss a subject in order to reach a united opinion. We observed the advantages of the spread of those seminars among priests and clergy in order to discuss important theological, faith, ritual, biblical and care matters. Many seminars were held for priests in the land of immigration: In USA and Canada. They were held in New Jersey and Los Angeles. Other seminars in Europe: in London and Germany and others in Australia. Most of those seminars delt with topics related to Care, the role of the priest and his spirituality. Giving also the chance to ask questions and discuss new care ideas, their practicality and trying to remove obstacles in the way of it's appliance. Some seminars discussed Sunday School Curriculum and ministry of the youth. Others discussed social insurance for priests and relations with the mother church. Others discussed service details in immigration countries and the missionary work beside the care and educational role. Seminars were also held for bishops who are member of the Holy Synod. They were held in the monastery and attended by some 40 or 50 member of the Holy Synod. Most important of which was about the "Church Teachings" and theological deviation that exist in some printed religious books that easily spread among the youth. They might believe in it and even spread it feeling not it's danger! Some seminars concentrated on "Care": Introduction and Care principles, caring for special sectors as people in jail and their families, caring for those attracted by other denominations, inhabitants of random regions, people subject to derive or leave chritianity. The Holy Synod specialized committees gathering twice a year may be viewed as a small picture of seminars. They discuss diverse matters and prepare studied proposals to be submitted in the nearest meeting of the Holy Synod. All seminars aim to arrive to one mind and one work. We believe in one church, it should be one in thought, in faith and in rituals. We don't want a church, a diocese or a group of youth to become an isolated island from the church in it's thought and practice, far from the universal church. This should be reached by the frequency of seminars and dialogue to reach the one thought. If we are organizing inter-church dialogues on the ecumenical level, it is more worth to have it achieved inside our church. Youth meetings and conventions held in Egypt and abroad are a kind of seminars too. Meeting to discuss and study aiming to reach the one mind and work. We held meetings with Coptic societies and studied working together. We aim to enlarge the scope of seminars and their effect to reach the unity in the aim and mean because working together leads to dispersion! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I L L U S T R A T E D N E W S check hard copies for the pictures =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [Picture] This photo is more than 60 years old. In the theological seminary celebration in 1938. Worth to mention that the Theological Seminary was refounded in 1893. The first class graduated in 1898. Habib Girgis was appointed director of the seminary in 1918 and a great celebration was held in 1938. Headed by the late Pope Joannes XIX and several metropolitans and bishops. In the middle front of the picture Pope Joannes XIX is seen with graduates, priests and teachers. On his right HG Abba Theophilos bishop of Jerusalem and El-Sharkia and Abba Thomas bishop of Gharbia and Behera. On his left, Mr Habib Girgis director of the Theological Seminary, HG Abba Athanasios metropolitan of Beni-Sweif and El-Bahnasa and HG Abba Severus bishop of El-Minya and Eshmunein. [Picture] In July 19th '98 under the auspices of HH Mar Zakka Eiwass I Patriarch of Antioch and Metropolitan Isahak Saaka the Patriarchal delegate for Syriac Studies, a Theological Course for Religious Centre Leaders in the Syrian church was held. It took place in Mar Avram Theological College in Maaret-Sednaya and lasted till Aug 1st. It was attended by many students amongst was Mr Girgis Saleh, teacher in the Coptic Theological Seminary in Tanta. He lectured in "Bible" and "Old Testament". In the picture we can see HH the Patriarch and HE Metropolitan Isahak Saaka. The nun "Heneina" stands behind them. Mr Girgis appears on the edge of the photo. On Sunday 26th July 1998, after the big festival held by the Evangelical Church on the occasion of building St Theophile church in Stuttgart (Germany), the responsibles offered the key of the church to the Coptic Orthodox church to become St George church in Stuttgart. The church lays in the down town of Stuttgart and providing place to more than 200 worshipper. Inhabitants built it following the world war. Attended the festival delegates from the EKD (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland) - Evangelical church in Germany - and many people talked about their memories there. With a big grief that they would leave the church, they announced to Abba Damian that the church would remain openned for prayer. Abba Damian received the key and thanked the responsibles on behalf of HH Pope Shenouda III. HG talked about the Coptic church and it's role in the spread of christianity and monasticism in Europe. By the end of the festival a high responsible in the EKD talked saying: "We need to learn from the Coptic church how to keep faithful in the church" On Sunday 27 September Abba Damian would celebrate a mass where he shall invite heads of all churches in Germany. From all our hearts, we congratulate Abba Damian for his good relations with the germans which made him acquire for free one of their churches to be converted into a Coptic church. We would also like to thank the EKD for their good spirit and offering us with this church to remain a place for the Lord where prayers take place. On Monday 10 Aug '98, HH visited St George Convent (Old Cairo), then St Mercure (Abu-Seifein) convent. He was accompanied by Abba Ruweis and Abba Joannes. Tamav Iriny mother superior of St Mercure (Abu-Seifein) convent, Fr Moussa El-Suriany the confessional father of the nuns and Tamav Joanna, mother superior of St George convent were there. In St George convent, nuns were decorated with the new Kolonsoa which they shall wear from then on. In the morning of Tuesday 11 August, HH visited St George Convent, Haret Zweila. He discussed with the nuns the convent affairs after the departure of the late Tamav Aghape (former mother superior of the convent). Attended the meeting Abba Joannes, Abba Raphael and Abba Gabriel. Tamav Mariam, Mother superior of Virgin Mary Convent (Haret Zweila) was also there. After the general meeting, HH met with some nuns who asked to discuss individual matters. [Picture] In this picture, HH is decorating Tamav Joanna, mother superior of St George Convent with the monastic Kolonsoa. On Wednesday 12 August, HH ordained Fr Lazarus (the monk) priest to serve in France. Participated in the ordination prayers, Abba Joannes and Abba Gabriel. [Picture] The new priest in seen in the picture with HH, the 2 bishops and Heg Moussa Anba-Bishoy our priest in Paris appeared on the edge along with Fr Jeremiah Ava-Mina (in HH secretariat). By the end of the spiritual festivals held at St Shenouda monastery in Suhag, His Excellency Minister Ahmed Abdel-Aziz Bakr, the governor of the State of Suhag visited the monastery (on Saturday August 1st evening). His Excellency was accompanied by General Khalil Makhlouf Head of the Security in Suhag, General Saeed Abul-Maaly National Security Supervisor in Suhag and a number of the leaders in the State. Received them at the monastery Their Graces Abba Kyrollos, Abba Pachome, Abba Joannes, monks of the monastery and thousands of the people. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= N E W S F R O M T H E M O T H E R C H U R C H =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Tuesday 11 August evening, HH received His Excellency Essam Ramadan, General Consul of Egypt in Sydney Australia before travelling to his work in Australia. In the evening of the same day, HH received His Excellency Refaat El-Ansaary, the new Egyptian Ambassador in Eritrea. It was an introductory meeting. During the second half of August, HG Abba Moussa shall resume his activities holding youth conventions in San Francisco, the Netherlands, Birmingham, Stevenage and London. In a short visit to the mother church, HG Abba Kyrollos the bishop of Milan arrived to Egypt. He visited Pope Shenouda on Monday 17 August morning and returned the next day to his diocese. In the morning of Wednesday 5 August, HH received Heg Agathon Anba-Paula the Coptic priest in Brazil and asked about the ministry in Brazil. On a weekly basis, in the Papal Residence, HH resumed giving Poetry Lessons to those interested who amount now to 60 person. Several priests came from abroad in a visit to the mother church amongst were: Fr Mikhail Tubia (Virgin Mary - East Brunswick NJ) with a trip, Fr Mikhail Aziz (Florida) and Fr Takla Azmy (Seattle WA). Fr Stephanos Naruz (priest in Shatby Alexandria) was appointed by HH to serve for one month in Lancaster (USA). On Friday 7 August, HG Abba Gabriel traveled to England in order to visit HE Abba Athanasios Metropolitan of Beni-Sweif. He asked about his health and they celebrated a mass together in Stevenage on Saturday 8 August '98. The next day (Sunday) Abba Gabriel celebrated a mass in St Mark (London). In the evening he gave a talk at the meeting in Archangel Michael church (North of London) and returned back to Cairo on Monday 10 August '98. Following the illness of Heg Biemen Anba-Bishoy and the delegation of Fr Shenouda Ishak to minister in Rochester, HH delegated Fr Seraphim El-Suriany to serve in the Papal Residence in Cedar Grove NJ. Worth to mention that Fr Seraphim had served in Honolulu, Hawaii for one year. He met with HH on Monday 10 August morning. On Thursday 6 August, the 40th day mass was celebrated for the rest of the soul of the late lawyer Mr Awny Aziz father of their graces Abba Joannes and Abba Gabriel the general bishops. It was held in the diocese of Malawy and attended by 15 bishops namely: Abba Timotheos, Sarabamon, Arsenios, Ruweis, Andrews, Severus, Marcos, Abraam, Boutros, Barsoum, Demetrios, Agabios, Biemen, Joannes and Gabriel. Along with a number of priests from Cairo, Beni-Sweif, Malawy and the prior of the Patriarchate in Cairo, Heg Daoud Tadros. Our deepest condolence for the family. News of down town Cairo churches: -------------------------------- - St Bishoy Church (El-Gesh str) received the next door factory. - The churches of Haret-Zweila got back the "School of the Martyrs" which they own. - The building of "Virgin Mary the Relief Retreat House" in Abu-Talat was achieved. - St Demyana Church (Bulaq) inaugurated a Kindergarten class affiliated to the church. - Both in the periods: July 21-23 and July 24-26 youth conventions for High School Boys and High School Girls consecutively were held in "God's Love House" in Zeitoun. They were both successful. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=