CHURCHNEWS an electronic magazine for Immigrant Egyptian Churches in the world _________________________________________________________________________ 'ChurchNews' is a selected translation of the News section in the Coptic Church magazine 'El-Keraza'. The arabic main magazine has Pope Shenouda III Editor in Chief. Suggestions about the main text would be directed to: coptpope@tecmina.com About this Electronic news translation direct suggestions to: cop@idsc.gov.eg To obtain English hard copies with pictures address: elkeraza.stevenage@ukonline.co.uk Old releases dating back from December 1995 on may be retrieved at the CoptNet Electronic Archives http://www.coptic.net/cn/public/news/ _________________________________________________________________________ Keraza No.: 41, 42 I | X Date: Friday 30 October 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ - His Holiness the Patriarch of Eritrea in a visit to the Coptic Church .. - The Pope's trip to Lebanon ............................................. - Main Lines ............................................................. - Miscellaneous News ..................................................... - History of the church in immigration countries ......................... - Book Review ............................................................ - Endnotes ............................................................... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= His Holiness the Patriarch of Eritrea in a visit to the Coptic Church =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Sunday 11th October '98, HH Patriarch Philippos I of Eritrea arrived to Egypt with an Eritrean delegation: HG Abba Antonios, Abba Morcos, Fr Beyene Iyassu and the director of his office Mr Dessie Berhane. At the airport they were received by both HG Abba Moussa and Abba Ruweis. At the Papal residence, Pope Shenouda received them with great joy with the beautiful hymns sung by the choir of the Theological Seminary. Words of appreciation were exchanged and they had supper together. During their whole stay, they were hosted at a special wing in the Papal Residence by Pope Shenouda. On Wednesday 14 October evening, they attended Pope Shenouda weekly lecture at St Mark Cathedral. It was agreed that Patriarch Philippos would go in a treatment trip to England, the Coptic church shall organize all his trip and he shall live at the Coptic Center in Stevenage. On Saturday 17 October, Patriarch Philippos and the party flew to England where they were received by HG Abba Paula, HG Abba Antony and the priests. They drove on to Stevenage where they were hosted by Fr Angelos Anba-Bishoy. Both Fr Antonios Thabet and Fr Bishoy Boushra began making necessary arrangments for the treatment. On Tuesday 20 October HH went on a consultation to a physician specialized in kidney in London. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Pope's trip to Lebanon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Thursday 8 October '98 evening, HH arrived Beirut airport where he was received by His Excellency Adel El-Khodary the Egyptian ambassador in Lebanon and Mr Nabil Habashy the Consul. From Jerusalem, came to receive him, Abba Abraham the Metropolitan of the throne of Jerusalem accompanied by Heg Boules El-Moharaky and Fr Joannes Zaki priests of our church in Lebanon with a choir of deacons. Received him at the airport Rev'd Riyad Jarjur the general secretary of the MECC. A press conference was held at the airport for HH where he answered many questions. On Friday 9 October '98, HH presided the meeting of the council. It was decided that the Assyrian 'Church' was refused to join the MECC as it is Nestorian and therefore it can't join the 4 christian families that form the council. On Friday evening, HH received Mazen Sabbagh, advisor of the Syrian Media Ministery. He had come from Damascus concerning the book which HH writes and which shall be published by the Syrian Media Ministery and whose introduction was written by the Imam Mohamed Mahdy Shams-Eddin, Head of the Supreme Shi'ite Council in Lebanon. HH presented the publishing committee of the council with the section that was requested from him concerning the book they shall publish on the history of the church in the Middle East. HH wrote about monasticism in the Coptic church, it's start, spread and saints. Then a meeting was held in the residence of the Catholicos, it was attended by HH and many people amongst were: HE Metropolitan Bishoy and Metropolitan Abraham from the Coptic church, Mar Athanasios Avraam and Mar George Saliba from the Syrian church and Mar Siboh from the Armenian church. In agreement and love, the discussion concerned our position concerning the WCC and we agreed to have the Eritrean join our Oriental Orthodox Churches. On Saturday 10 October a press conference was held and HH answered the questions they had. A dinner was given in the Egyptian Embassy (Beirut) on the honour of HH Pope Shenouda. Many officials and high ranking people attended it. His Excellency Adel El-Khodary gave a nice word and HH talked nicely too. On the table with HH were the great Sheikhs of the Moslems in Lebanon. On Saturday evening, HH drove on to our Coptic church in Beirut which was extremely crowded at the time. He gave a spiritual word which was attended by Abba Bishoy and Abba Abraham from the Coptic church and Mar George Saliba and Mar Athanasios Avraam from the Syrian church along with a number of priests from both churches. Afterwards, all ate together an agape meal. after which they drove on to the airport. At HH farewell at the airport were His Excellency Ambassador Adel El-Khodary, The Egyptian Consul Nabil El-Habashy, a number of priests and the people that could come. Accompanied by HE Abba Bishoy, HH Pope Shenouda arrived to Egypt at 11:00 pm. At Cairo airport, a number of bishops, priests, Congregational council members, dignaries and friends received him. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= M A I N L I N E S =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= History of the church in immigration countries: ---------------------------------------------- HH received the following: - A full record of the history of the church in the Netherlands, with photos and data. It was handed to HH by Heg Arsenios El-Baramosy our priest in Amsterdam. - History of the church in Raleigh, North Carolina USA from Fr Misael Adeeb. - History of St George and St Antony church Ottawa Canada handed to HH by Fr Tadros Yacoub Malaty. - History of St Mark (Montreal) from the notes of the late Heg Raphael Nakhla Younan (in his handwriting). It was sent to us by Heg Bishoy Ishak the priest of the church. - History of St Mark Jersey City (a photocopy from the handwriting of the late Fr Gabriel Abdel-Sayed) along with a history of the church printed in English. - History of the church in Marseilles which was delivered by Heg Joachim Anba-Bishoy. - A summary of the history of our church in London arrived to us through HG Abba Ruweis. Another version of the history of the church in London and UK arrived us through Heg Antonios Thabet. Heads and representatives of churches in Egypt discuss the Personal Statute ------------------------------------- In the time that the Egyptian Parliement is preparing to discuss the Personal Statute, HH Pope Shenouda invited heads of christian churches in Egypt to discuss the united personal statute which the churches had agreed upon and HH had presented to the parliement in January 1980. It is now the time to reconsider the topic. Worth to mention that HH had agreed to present it to the parliement with His Excellency Advisor Faruk Seif El-Nasr the minister of Justice. On Tuesday 13 October 1998 evening, HH received Advisor Alphons Ryiad former head of the Cairo Court of Appeal who is currently member of the National Advisory Council of President Mohamed Hosny Mubarak. On Tuesday 20 October '98 at 18:00 pm, HH received the heads and representatives of the churches to rediscuss the united Personal statute specially that 18 years passed and many church leaders changed. >From the catholic church, HH Patriarch Stephanos II and his delegate Metropolitan Yohanna Kolta and Metropolitan Antaky from the Greek catholic and some representatives of other catholic churches. Metropolitan Ghayes Abdel-Malek Head of the Anglican church in Egypt. Dr Rev'd Safwat El-Bayady head of the Evangelical church, Rev'd Kamal Youssef of the Evangelical Synod, other pastors and advisors were there. >From the Armenian Orthodox church, Metropolitan Aram Kesheshyan. And a representative of the Greek Orthodox. From our Coptic Orthodox church with HH Pope Shenouda, Advisor Melek Mina and some bishops were there. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= M I S C E L L A N E O U S N E W S =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Thursday 15th October evening, HH Pope Shenouda received the Imam Mohamed Mahdy Shams-Eddin, head of the Supreme Shi'ite Council in Lebanon who is a friend of HH. This meeting was attended by Dr Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, the Grand Sheikh of El-Azhar Mosque, Sheikh Nasr Farid Wasel, the Mufti and Dr Hamdy Mahmoud Zakzuk, the minister of Endowments (Awkaf). Attended the meeting too, His Excellency Hisham Demeshkia, the Lebaneese Ambassador in Egypt. On Monday 19 October '98 morning, HH received Monseigneur Jean-Louis Torrain the minister of exterior of the Vatican and Monseigneur Paolo Galilio the Ambassador of the Vatican in Egypt. The secretary of the party 'Daniello Giovani' and the Cairo Embassy's advisor 'Louin Kalenga' attended the meeting. Both Abba Joannes and Abba Gabriel attended the meeting. On Thursday 22 October '98 morning, at the Papal Residence, HH received Prof Dr Faruk Ismail Head of Cairo Univesity, Prof Dr Al-Sayed Al-Husseiny dean of the faculty of Literature and Mr Mohamed Farid one of the trustees. They attended because HH is an alumni of the faculty of Literature - Cairo University. The 18th church in Canada: The pharmacist Dr Gamal Zekry was nominated to be ordained priest for a new church under construction in Saint Catherine area (East Canada). The nominate shall come and meet with HH. On Thursday 22 October evening, Her Excellency Gilane Allam, the new Egyptian Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand. The meeting was about our children in Australia. HG Abba Joannes attended the meeting. On Friday 9 October '98, HG Abba Paula began his trip to Europe and USA in order to help in some familial affairs. In his way, he passed by Switzerland, England, France and USA. There he shall visit HG Abba Karas. It is expected that HG shall return to Egypt on 11th November to attend HH 27th enthrownment anniversary. Virgin Mary (El-Moharak) monastery celebrated 25 years for the foundation of it's Theological Seminary by Pope Shenouda in 1973. In this occasion, and the occasion of the new scholar year, HG Bishop Severus the abbot celebrated the mass. Our best congratulations for His Grace and for the Theological Seminary. On Sunday 11 October '98, HG Abba Joannes drove on to Alexandria where he offered the mass for the soul of the late Heg Shenouda Abdel-Messih former prior of the Patriarchate in Alexandria at the great St Mark Cathedral there. Our condolence to his family. In a visit to the mother church many priests came from the countries of immigration amongst were: Fr Johanna Tadros (Queens NY) and flew back on 16th October. Fr Antonios Tanios (East Brunswick) he flew back on 16th October. Fr Girgis Abdel-Malak (Baltimore MD), Fr Athanasios Fahmy (Ireland), Fr Gabriel Fahmy Samaan (Dallas TX) he flew back on 16th October. Fr Mina Kamel Dioscorus (Sydney NSW Australia), Fr Misael Attallah (Toronto). In the monastery HH received: Fr Abanoub Attallah (Melbourne) and he discussed with him matters concerning the ministry in Australia. In Alexandria, HH met with Fr Raphael Abdel-Messih (South Jersey) who proposed to HH buying a piece of land where a building exists in order to build a new church there. HH received too, Heg Arsenios El-Baramosy who presented HH with the history of the church in the Netherlands. On Monday 19 October '98 evening, HH received Heg Antonios the prior of the diocese of El-Baliana, Fr Paula and Fr Gabriel from the village El-Kosheh On Tuesday 13 October, HH received Prof senator Adel Bishay, who is professor at the AUC Amercian University Cairo at member of the Egyptian Senate. He was accompanied by Dr Rasmy Abdel-Malek. Attended the meeting HG Abba Gabriel. On Monday 12 October evening, HH received the famous Dutch Coptologist Prof Paul Van Moorsel who discovered the fresques hidden under the wall of the churches in both Virgin Mary Syrian and Baramos Monasteries. He was accompanied by Dr Magdy (from the council of our church in Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and his wife. They all visited Wadie El-Natroun during the same week. On Monday 12 October evening, HH received Mr Medhat Shehata (from the council of the church in Vancouver Canada) with members of his family and some Copts from Vancouver. On Thursday 15 October 98 morning, HH received Dr Samir Fawzy, head of the council of the Coptic church in Zurich Switzerland with his wife. The discussion was about the service in Zurich and his participation in writing the history of the church. HH was invited to give a talk at the Rotary Club. Accompanied by their graces Abba Ruweis, Abba Joannes, Abba Gabriel and monks of his secretariat, he went there. He gave his talk about: "Values and devotion" and answered questions that were submitted by the audience. HH was invited by His Excellency Prof Ismail Sallam the Egyptian minister of health to attend the seminar which shall be held in the morning of Wednesday 11 November '98 at the Mariott Hotel concerning the Reproductive Health. This seminar shall be attended by representatives of more than 20 country and 30 international organization along with press people. Among the invited people are the Grand Sheikh of El-Azhar and the leaders of Catholic and Protestant churches in Egypt. HE Metropolitan Bishoy traveled to Lebanon in order to attend the Standing Committee meeting of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The meeting shall take place at the Armenian Orthodox Catholicate in Antelias Lebanon on 25-26 October '98. HE shall return in the evening of Monday 26 October '98 to Cairo God willing. On 20 October '98, HG Abba Thomas the bishop of Kossia traveled to USA for medical analysis. We wish him good health. HG Abba Barsoum traveled to Sweden in his annual visit. While still a monk, he had served the Coptic church there. HH received him before he traveled. >From Beni-Sweif, Fr Banub and his wife Tasoni Iriny arrived to Johannesburg for their new service in the Republic of South Africa. Fr Morcos Sobhy and his wife Tasoni Mirelle arrived to Johannesburg coming from Neirubi. He shall spend some time there after which he shall begin his ministry in Namibia in the town Ondangwa where a new church was built in 1997. The new cathedral in Johannesburg is still under construction. The foundations were built along with the armed cement sanctuary and the windows and the coloured bricks wall. The ceiling is about to be installed. On Tuesday 20 October, accompanied by Mother Joanna, Tamav Edrosis the mother superior of Prince Theodore of Shoteb Convent (Haret El-Rum) arrived to Cairo after a treatment trip in London, Cleveland, Tolido and New York. In a common meeting of the Endowment Ministry and the Coptic Endowment Office held on 12th October 1998. In this meeting it was decided to return 93 acres of agricultural land to the Coptic church as follows: 23 acres 3:7 in the governorate of Kena and 70 acre 0:1 in the governorate of Assiut. The minister of Endowments (Dr Hamdy Zakzuk) signed the work of the common committee. HH thanked him for his nice spirit. [Picture] HH Patriarch Zakka Eiwass surrounded by 4 nuns from St Demyana Convent (El-Barary). They traveled to Syria and painted many icons in HH residence in Maaret Sednaya. Amongst is an icon of HH on his knees presenting his new residence to our Lord Jesus Christ. Another one is for Virgin Mary carrying Christ. HH was happy with those icons which impressed many people. [Picture] This is a picture of Mr Nazeer Gayed Ruphael (now HH Pope Shenouda) while he was teacher at the Theological Seminary (before his consecration) It was taken in 1953 when the Theological Seminary moved to Anba-Ruweis area. In the middle appears Heg Boutros priest of (St Peter and St Paul church Abbasseya) surrounded by Ethiopian priests. Beside them Mr Nazeer Gayed is sitted with some papers in his hands. On Friday 16 October '98, HG Abba Benjamin ordained Dcn George Francis priest in the name Fr John Kame for the altar of Virgin Mary (Greiss, Menufia). Both Abba Matthaus and Abba Takla participated in the ordination with a big congregation and friends. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= History of the church in immigration countries =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When did the priest service begin? --------------------------------- Before 1964 there were no Coptic priests in the land of immigration. They did not celebrate any masses unless a priest would visit them during a trip. eg The late Heg Makary El-Suriany (HG Abba Samuel) or Heg Salib Suriel (priest of St Mark's Giza). Accompanied by Dr Aziz Suriel Atteya, they traveled in 1954 to represent the Coptic church in the WCC World Council of Churches. Then sending or ordaining priests for the land of immigration began. On Sunday 9 August 1964, HH Pope Kyrollos VI delegated HG Abba Maximos (Bishop of Qaliubia at the time) to ordain Dcn Wagdy Elyias Abdel-Messih priest for 'the altar of God of the Coptic Orthodox Church in North America' in the name of Fr Morcos. He had gone few years before in 1958 in a scholarship in Princeton NJ, then to Hartford, then to Connecticut where he got his Bachelor in Comparative Theology and Master degree in Psychology and Religious Education. In 25th November 1964, Fr Morcos Elyias arrived to Canada. In his notes he wrote that in the period 1964-67 he carried the ministry in America and Canada which means a whole continent having Toronto as center. He provided us with a detailed history concerning the beginning of the service in the immigration countries. On Sunday 21st March 1967, HH Pope Kyrollos VI delegated the late HG Abba Samuel Bishop of Public Ecumenical and Social Services to ordain Dcn Dr Badie Younan Nakhla priest for Montreal. He had graduated with a PhD from Strasbourg France and hence he mastered French language which is spoken in Montreal and Quebec. He arrived to Montreal on 8 July 1967. The ministry in Canada and America was shared between the two priests Fr Morcos and Fr Ruphail who beside his ministry in Montreal was serving New York and New Jersey which in their turn needed a full time priest for their ministry because till that time there was no full time priests in the USA. All the East was served by Fr Ruphail while the west was served by Fr Morcos. Before his departure, Fr Ruphail had presented me with a manuscript of the history of the service in Montreal Canada and in East America. On 5th August 1970, HH Pope Kyrollos VI delegated HG Abba Maximos the bishop of Qaliubia to ordain Dcn Dr Hakim Amin Abdel-Sayed priest for St Mark's Jersey City in the name Fr Gabriel Abdel-Sayed. He had studied at the University of Minnesota USA but received his PhD Thesis with the title 'Monasticism' from Cairo University. Before his departure, Heg Gabriel left to us a history of the beginning of the service in immigration countries both an English version with another Arabic manuscript. He had arrived to New York on 10 September 1970. Some months earlier, Fr Mina Kamel Yanney, priest of Virgin Mary's Omraneya (Giza) had come from Egypt. He lived in Boston. Therefore, following a recommendation from Fr Ruphail Yunan Nakhla who served it, the Coptic Society in New York invited Fr Mina to pray the mass there. He celebrated masses in different areas. His service lasted from May 1969 till October 1969 after which he returned to his church in Giza. Fr Mina Kamel Yanney wrote the history of the service in immigration countries and published it in a book. In November 1969, HH Pope Kyrollos delegated Heg Bishoy Kamel of St George's Sporting to serve the church of St Mark (Los Angeles, CA) in the west of USA. He served there for 10 months till August 1970 when his colleague Fr Tadros Yacub Malaty received the service in this church from him in the same month (August 1970). Heg Tadros Yacub Malaty published a book about the service in immigration countries and he sent us a diary named (Church of Alexandria and history of modern ministry). Hence the first priests that served in immigration countries were: 1- Fr Morcos Abdel-Messih (Toronto) 2- Fr Ruphail Younan Nakhla (Montreal) 3- Fr Gabriel Abdel-Sayed (Jersey City) In the visit of both HG Abba Antonios and HG Abba Samuel to USA in 1971, they promoted the three priests to the title of Hegumen. 4- Heg Bishoy Kamel (Sporting - Los Angeles) 5- Heg Tadros Yacub Malaty (Sporting - Los Angeles) 6- Heg Mina Kamel Yanney (Ommraneya - Brooklyn) I put before me all what those priests wrote along with the writings of some old laymen hoping to formulate a history about the beginning of the church in immigration countries. Writing this history: -------------------- Fr Morcos Elyias (the first priest ordained for immigration countries) wrote: "Without dispute, recording this history is a dutie that honesty inquire. It is the right of our generation and coming generations that we must give.. How would we answer when our children and children's children question: How and when did the holy church begin in this land? how it's roots held tight to it's ground?.. Yes indeed, if we do not record this history we are neglecting the rights of our children and the right of the church to which the divine grace invited us to be servants." Heg Tadros Yacub Malaty wrote: "I hope this work wouldn't be mere citation of history, nor a diary of a priest telling human experience that he lived of fear that time would forget. I desire that this work would be an invitation to discover God's great plan in our lives. An invitation for every Copt living in immigration countries to know his evangelic mission and fulfill the goal of his life there. The immigrant should see himself a living seed of witness and evangelism to God's spirit which is fire and love desiring the salvation of every human soul" Heg Mina Kamel Yanney (priest of St George Brooklyn) wrote: "Since early history, the Egyptian man was raised to be stable in his wealthy agricultural land, never thinking of immigration. Till the case changed and Egypt depended no more solely on agriculture but a rennaissance took place in the whole country. With the increase of population, in the second middle of the 20th century, people began to think of immigration" Early Immigrants: ---------------- Heg Mina Kamel Yanney wrote too: "Copts that immigrated - at the very beginning - were mainly manual workers and univesity graduates: Physicians, engineers, accountants, lawyers, agriculture engineers.. some had received a Master of PhD. The immigration of Copts began in the early 1950s to the East Coast of USA. Among the first people who immigrated were: Saba (Pasha) Habashy, Dr Maher Kamel, Dr Mahrus Harun, Dr Shawky Karas, Dr Sami Boules, Dr Atef Hanna, Dr Elhamy Khalil, Dr Wafik Habib, Awny Barsoum, Harby Boutros and others. THOSE WHO WENT TO USA TO STUDY: Youssef Abdou who was sent from the church in Egypt in 1957 on scholarship to USA where he received his PhD from the university of Illinois (He is currently Fr Youssef Abdou priest of Virgin Mary Zamalek) Wagdy Elyias Abdel-Messih who was sent from the church in Egypt in 1958 on scholarship to Princeton (He is currently Fr Morcos Morcos priest of St Mark's Toronto Canada)". Mr Boules Nessim wrote: "Many Copts began to move abroad when possible, not considering the harsh conditions that they may face in the new countries. Feeling alone, home sickness, especially ladies because of their strong relations with their families. They found no other way except gathering in small groups. They began visiting each other, study Bible together with the songs and hymns that they were used to. That was not satisfactory to their thristy souls to the Holy Mass and Eucharist. In many times, the late Abba Samuel was visiting to celebrate the mass and other offices like baptism, wedding... This had a big impact in the souls of the Copts. Phase of the Coptic Associations: -------------------------------- Heg Morcos (Priest of Toronto) wrote: In the beginnings of 1959, at New York City, Dr Youssef Attallah Salama, Dr Atef Hanna Moawad, Dr Elhamy Fawzy Khalil, Dcn Wagdy Elyias and Abdel-Messih gathered. After prayed we agreed on forming a simple unofficial organization to receive Copts coming from Egypt and help facilitate their settlement and God blessed this service. In the period 7-9th April 1961, most Copts in the East Coast of USA gathered in a spiritual familial convention during the Good Friday, The Bright Saturday and the Easter day in a village in Pennsylvania. This convention was hosted by an American church and attended by more than 50 man and woman (not counting children). It was a beautiful chance of retreat where our souls were satisfied by the hymns, the readings and spirituality of the Holy Pascha. Nothing was missing except the attendance of a Coptic priest leading the prayers and celebrate the Easter mass. At the end of this convention an idea emerged of founding the "Coptic American Association". =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Book Review =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SIGNS OF THE CHURCH by HG Abba Moussa, bishop of the youth. Published May 1998 by the Bishopric of the Youth. 64 pages paperback. It describes the church as the Sole One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic. NATIONAL PARTICIPATION OF THE COPTS IN MODERN AGES by Mr Amir Nasr, revised and introduced by HG Abba Moussa. 192 pages with many illustrations. Focusing on the period of Mohamed Ali (1805) to the Revolution of 1919 and some excerpts from our recent age, the writer talks about famous Coptic nationalist and political leaders like: Sinout Hanna, Makram Ebeid, Morcos Hanna, Fakhry Abdel-Nour, Tewfik Doss, Boutros Ghali and others. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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. Assyrian: The Assyrian 'church' is centered in Syria, it holds to the heresy of Nestorius and Theodore of Mopsuestia which was condemned by all christians in the Council of Ephesus in the 4th century in and was recently refused in the 9 October '98 Lebanon MECC session to be part of the council 'which includes all christian denominations'. It is important to make the difference between it and the Church of Antioch 'Syrian Orthodox' which is an Oriental Orthodox church having Mar Ignatius Zakka Eiwass as Patriarch. Awkaf : Endowments BLESS : Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social services. 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. Kalamun : A Mount in the Governorate of El-Minya. In the fourth century the spiritual children of St Antony occupied it. In the 7th century St Samuel the Confessor built a monastery there following a vision and promise he had of Virgin Mary of keeping and defending the monks there. Till today, a monastic life is flourishing there despite of the very difficult natural aspects of the place in St Samuel the Confessor mon. 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. Koskam : A Mount in the governorate of Assiut in the middle of Egypt. Following the tradition it is the last place in the south that the Holy Family reached in the 1st century after which it returned to Israel. Nowadays, Virgin Mary Burnt Monastery (Moharak) stands there with a flourishing monastic life. LA : Los Angeles, California USA Mayamer: in singular (Meimar) Syrianic word designating biography of a saint. MECC : Middle East Council of Churches (Headquarter in Cyprus) 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 Pastoral Staff: Staff in the hand of Popes, Patriarchs, metropolitans and diocesian bishops as they are sheperds to the flock of Christ. 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. Wadie El-Natroun: An ancient valley laying in the desert between Cairo and Alexandria. Ancient Egyptians used to extract the Natrun salt used for embalment from there. In the 4th century monasticism flourished in the desert near to this valley with thousands of Egyptian, Oriental and European monks and many monasteries. Only in four of those old monasteries monastic life survived to our modern age. St Macare Monastery, Virgin Mary (Syrian) mon., Virgin Mary (Baramos) mon. and St Bishoy Monastery. The latter includes a Papal residence where Pope Shenouda spends half of each week in solitude. WCC : World Council of Churches was founded in 23 August 1948 in Amsterdam (current Headquarter in Geneva Switzerland). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=