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.: 49, 50 I | X Date: Friday 25 December 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ - Return to one's self by the end of the year ............................. - Miscellaneous News ...................................................... - 8th General Assembly of the WCC World Council of Churches in Harare ..... - Golden Jubilee of St George the Martyr Church - Damanhur ................ - Book Review ............................................................. - Endnotes ................................................................ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Return to one's self by the end of the year =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= During 1998, we tightened our relations to our Oriental Orthodox sister Churches. In Lebanon, we signed a common agreement with HH MorZakka Eiwass Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church and Catholicos Aram, Head of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Celicia. They both visited Cairo and gave a talk at St Mark Cathedral and participated in inaugurating St Athanasios new shrine. We were visited too by HH Karekin I, Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians. We signed together a protocol and exchanged visits. In the same year we crowned Abuna Philippos, first Patriarch of Eritrea, we traveled to Asmara and enthroned him. We signed a protocol together and had a big relation. >From the Greek Orthodox we visited churches of Alexandria, Albania and Cyprus. We invited the heads of Christian churches in Egypt. We agreed upon a common Statute to be presented to the government. For the first time 5 monks were ordained in Jerusalem, 3 in Milan and 3 in Sudan. Two monasteries began having monks: St Pachomius (El-Shayeb) and St george (Rozaikat) monasteries. We began having 3 priests in Libya in Tripoli, Beni-Gazi, Mesrata and a priest in El-Ein in the Arab Emirates. We built the foundation stone in Vienna. We built a new church in Colombus. We signed the contract of buying la Paroisse de l'Archange Michel in Paris and the development of our monastery in France. The new St Mark Coptic College in Sydney was built and another Coptic College in Montreal. The common committee between the Ministry of Endowments and the Coptic Body of Endowments returned many pieces of endowed land in many dioceses. The first mass was held at the new Cathedral in Berlin and we received the church in Frankfurt. We have now three churches and priests in the Netherlands in Amsterdam, den Haag, Utracht and Ein den Haven. We also have churches in Kent and Doncaster and bought a house in Ireland. The first Coptic Mass was held in Finland and also in Singapore. The ministry of the Coptic church began in Ughanda and Tanzania. The project of building a new Coptic church in Cote d'Ivoire and baptizing many people. In Washington DC, a new church was consecrated. The Foundation stone was built outside Boston, the Coptic church there was consecrated and a seminar for the priests in Canada and America was held there. Three new churches were founded in Canada: In Agax, Saint Catherine and Winnipeg through the sending of priests there. We have now a total of 19 churches in Canada. A big church was consecrated in Mississauga and another in Vancouver. A new piece of land was bought and a new bishopric residence in Milan and a house in Preccia. Councils were formed for many churches in USA and Canada. A big number of priests was ordained for churches in Cairo, Alexandria and many dioceses. A new piece of land was bought for Prince Theodore Convent. Caring for rural development, comprehensive development, illiteracy classes, ministry in prisons, mentally handicapped and drug addicts. Celebrating the golden jubilee of Virgin Mary (Rod El-Farag) Church, St Mina (Fleming), St George Brooklyn, St George (Sydney) and the Theological Seminary (Virgin Mary Moharak Monastery in Assiut). Sending Coptic nuns to paint icons in the Syrian Patriarchate (Sednaya). Holding seminars for the priests in immigration countries. Translation of the books: Divinity of Christ and Nature of Christ to Greek, Release of the Spirit to Armenian and some spiritual books to Syrian. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Miscellaneous News =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - HE Abba Athanasios, Metropolitan of Beni-Sweif passed some new crisis, Pope Shenouda visited him at the Clinic of Prof Dr Refaat Kamel. [Picture] HH is seen between the physician and HE Abba Athanasios. Appeared on the picture too: Abba Moussa, Abba Daniel, Abba Joannes, Abba Gabriel and Fr Mina Ava-Mina. We wish all health to His Emminence. - On Sunday 13 December morning, HH celebrated the mass at Virgin Mary Ardel-Golf church. Celebrated with HH were Abba Joannes, Heg Moussa El-Suriany, Heg Antonios El-Baramosy, Fr Mina Ava-Mina, Heg Yohanna Thabet, Fr Angelos, Fr Justus and Fr Mikhail. After the mass, HH visited El-Ragaa Center, the Clinic and other activities of the church. He took lunch with the priests, servants and some people of the congregation. - On Tuesday 15 December morning, at the Papal Residence, HH received Tammav Iriny, Abbess of St Mercure (Abu-Sefein) Convent in Old Cairo, she was accompanied by mother Theonia. Attended the meeting HG Abba Ruweis and Abba Joannes. - On Monday 7 December 98, HH received Prim. Dr Yunker Leiner, deputy of the Austrian Parliament. He was accompanied by the Austrian Ambassador in Egypt Dr Heinrich Querner and his wife. Both Their Graces Abba Kyrollos of Milan and Abba Gabriel attended the meeting. The discussion ran about the Coptic church in Austria and the Coptic church in Egypt. - Following a health problem, HG Abba Ruweis stayed in his cell. He couldn't attend the mass in Virgin Mary (Ardel-Golf). On Saturday 12 December evening, HH visited him. He then was fine and resumed his normal activities. - On Thursday 10 December 98 evening, HH met with professors of the ICS (Institute of Coptic Studies), he discussed with them the policy of the institute and of the higher studies and the ceremony that would be held for the 100 years of age of Dr Ragheb Moftah. On the other hand, Dr Nabil Sobhy, head of the Sociology Departement at ICS and professor of sociology at the Faculty of Literature - Cairo university prepared a project of a charter for the Institute. He had prepared enough copies of this project which were distributed on the professors when HH met with them on Monday 14 December evening, to approve the charter and issue it. - Beginning from the new scholar year, HH shall teach Church History at the ICS. This module shall begin to be performed on Monday 14 December 98. The lectures shall take place at the Great St Mark Hall in St Ruweis Building every Monday at 19:00. Everybody is invited and the ICS students shall pass examns at the end of the year. This lecture shall also be attended by theological seminarians. - On Monday 7 December morning, HH received a number of servants of the Mentally Handicapped with their supervisor Sister Ruth who is running this Program at BLESS and working in the Project of the Mentally Handicapped in Caritas. HH talked to them concerning their study in the field of the mentally handicapped. They suggested that a revival needs to be done in this field in many places in Egypt. - HH Pope Shenouda delegated Fr Youssef Mansour, priest of St George Hamamat El-Kobba to minister in the Netherlands in the region of Eindhoven and Utracht. HH received him and his wife before they travel to the Netherlands. Fr Youssef Mansour is our third priest in the Netherlands along with Heg Arsenios El-Baramosy serving in Amsterdam and Fr Younan Abdou serving in Lahay (den Haag). - On 19 November 98, HG Abba Pachomius traveled to Australia in a period of 18 days. In this trip he visited Sydney, and attended the Silver Jubilee of St George Church. He also visited the churches of Virgin Mary, St Mercurius, St Antonios, St Mark, The Apostles, Archangel Michael and St Demyana Churches. He celebrated vespers and masses, gave talks and meetings. He visited St Mark college in Sydney. He was received there by the active priest Fr Antonios Kaldas the supervisor of the church and some of it's board of directors. It is in a beautiful building as shown in the picture. He also visited Melbourne, St Shenouda Monastery and some churches in Melbourne. He visited Adelade and Gold Coast. On 7 December he visited Perth in the west of Australia and gave a talk at night. He also visited the Egyptian Consul General in Australia Mr Essam Ramadan. - The mayor of Marikville held a ceremony to welcome HG Abba Pachomius. He mentionned Marikville as sister city to Damanhur. - On 8 December, on his way back from Australia, HG Abba Pachomius celebrated a mass to Copts living in Singapore. He also visited Abu-Dabie on 9 December, Dubaye on 10 December and gave a lecture at night at both of them. On 11 December, he returned to Egypt and gave a report to HH about his trip. - A presidential decree no 289/1998 was issued to permit to build St Antonios church in Hosh Eissa (El-Behera). We thank President Mubarak and congratulate HE Abba Pachomius the Metropolitan of Behera and the Copts in Hosh Eissa. - On Saturday 5 December HE Abba Athanasios the Metropolitan of Beni-Sweif ordained two new priests. 1- The Seminarian Marco Heg Saleeb Philoppos on Prince Theodore of Shoteb Church (Deir El-Nokoria, Beni-Mazar) in the name Fr Markos. 2- The seminarian Ayiad Mahrous priest in the name Fr Samuel for St George (Beni-Ali in Beni-Mazar). Participated with HG in the ordination prayers Abba Gabriel. Our best greetings. - On Sunday 6 December 98, HG Abba Sarabamon Bishop of Atbara and Om-Dorman ordained the deacon Mounir Ramzy Amin (License of Law) in the name Fr Abraam on the region El-Thawra in Om-Dorman. Participated in the consecration prayers Abba Abraam of Fayoum as shown in the picture. Our best congratulations to the bishop, the new priest and the Copts in Om-Dorman. - On Monday 30 November 98, Heg Mina Mikhail priest of St Bishoy and St Shenouda (Melbourne) arrived to Egypt. He presented HH with part of the history of the church in Australia, spent some solitude period in the monastery of St Bishoy and Baramos and returned to Australia on Wednesday 16 December 98. - On Thursday 17 December 98, Pope Shenouda received our priest in Geneva Fr Philopater before his return to Switzerland. - Fr Shenouda Mansour priest of St Antonios (Sydney) had a heart attack which needed operation. We wish him health and recovery. - From Fr Morcos Khella and Fr Rophael Iskander: Spiritual Festivals were held in this jubilee in Sydney. On this occasion, the congragation organized a trip to Athens, Rome and Egypt. They attended Pope Shenouda's Anniversary on 14 November and HH lecture on Wednesday 18 November. Both HE Abba Pachomius the Metropolitan of Behera and HG Abba Theophilos Bishop of the Red Sea visited them in Sydney and held many spiritual meetings, vespers, masses and lectures. The choir of St George church published on this occasion a voice CD of a spiritual revival concerning 'Spiritual Sacraments' for Pope Shenouda. Our best congratulations for St George Church. - On Thursday 10 December morning, HH received Fr Emmanuel an abbot of a Catholic Monastery in Belgium. - On Thursday 17 December, HH received at the Papal Residence Her Excellency Mrs Victoria Owen the Australian Ambassador in Egypt. - On 8 Kiahk (17 December), the church shall celebrate the feast of St Samuel the Confessor. A big festival shall be held on this occasion in St Samuel Monastery (El-Kalamun Monastery). On Monday 17 December, Pope Shenouda received HG Abba Bassilious the abbot of the monastery with Fr Bissada El-Samuili. The celebrations included preparing the necessary spices in St Antonios Monastery at the Papal Residence. Participated with HH in preparing the spices were HG Abba Ruweis, HG Abba Bassilious and Abba Gabriel. May the blessings of St Samuel the Confessor and his monastery be with us all. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8th General Assembly of the WCC World Council of Churches in Harare by HE Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiet and Secretary of the Coptic Holy Synod =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A common committee was approved to be formed. Half of it's members shall be hired by Orthodox Churches, while the other half is hired by the central committee of the WCC. This committee shall be responsible of restructuring the council, it's rules and system in order to fit the Orthodox Participation which doesn't make the Orthodox as minority facing the Protestants. This encourages the Orthodox also to maintain their membership in the council. This committee sends suggestions to the Central Committee, based on which the latter shall take decisions except the change of the main system which is the role of the 9th General Assembly. It was decided that this committee should conclude it's role within the coming 3 years. A wider forum was agreed also to be formed, gathering the Catholic church and many other non-member christian churches and organizations. The sole criteria is answering the common vocation of the One God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and confessing Jesus Christ God and Saviour according to the holy scriptures, in full obediance to God in Christ. HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East was chosen in the Presidium of the WCC for the coming period representing the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Middle East after the conclusion of the period where Pope Shenouda III played this role, being nominated for a second period the latter continues presiding the MECC. HH Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Patriarch of Celicia was elected as moderator of both the Central and the Executive Committee for the coming period for seven years. HH had taken this same post in the past period and was reelected following the impression of the Central Committee for the great role he played to keep the Orthodox Churches in the council and in his efficiency and good management of the central committee sessions and big and clear ecumenical role he played to keep good relations between churches. HH Catholicos Aram shall have a big role in the expected change aiming to find balance between the Orthodox Family and the Protestant churches. This wish was previously expressed by Pope Shenouda III and Mor Ignatius Zakka I in their meeting last March in St Bishoy Moanstery (Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt). Thus they would fulfill what they agreed upon concerning the participation of the Oriental Orthodox in the Ecumenical Movement. The results of the previous period shall be followed in their coming meeting in Syria in Mar Avraam the Syrian Monastery (Maaret Sednaya) next February God willing. It was agreed that the agenda of this meeting shall include the joining of the Eritrean Orthodox Churches to the Oriental Orthodox family. Two bishops of our church were chosen to be members of the Central Committee: HG Abba Serapion and HG Abba Joannes Relations to the church of Ethiopia: ----------------------------------- During the general assembly meeting of the WCC, the delegation of our church met with the Ethiopian delegation headed by HH Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of Ethiopia who asked for the formation of a common comittee of the two churches to discuss the relations with the church of Eritrea. From Harare, Pope Shenouda was called and accepted. It is expected to form this committee of the two delegations. They should meet shortly to discuss the execution of the common protocol and the Ethiopian-Eritrean Church relations. A wider meeting is expected for the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, it would be hosted by Pope Shenouda following the suggestion of Abuna Paulos and many other Orthodox leaders. The Coptic delegation had handed to Abuna Paulos a copy of the common declaration of the three Patriarchs of the Middle East issued March last. Abuna Paulos expressed his impression and comfort for this meeting which find a common stand for the three churches in Ecumenical meetings and Theological Dialogue. He expressed a desire that it would become larger to include all the Oriental Orthodox Churches on a global scale as mentionned in the text of the declaration. Catholicos Aram visits the Coptic church in Harare: -------------------------------------------------- On Sunday 13 December 98, HH Catholicos Aram I celebrated a mass in the Coptic church. He officiated some prayers in Armenian with some Armenian priests and the Syrian chanted some Syriac hymns. HE Metropolitan Bishoy congratulated the Catholicos in the name of the Coptic church for being elected moderator of the Central and Executive Committees of WCC. HH Catholicos Aram mentioned the unity of the faith of the Oriental Orthodox Family. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Golden Jubilee of St George the Martyr Church - Damanhur =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The church of St George the Martyr in Damanhur celebrated it's Golden Jubilee (1948-1998). HE Abba Pachomius, the Metropolitan of Behera, Matruh and Pentapolis along with Bishop Taodros the General Bishop of the diocese kept part of the relics of St George of Alexandria there. This part was previously kept in St Mark (Rosetta). They consecrated a new altar with Virgin Mary and St Mina as patron saints. The celebrations lasted for ten years, interupted by a spiritual revival attended by a number of bishops and priests and many new projects in the church. On this occasion, a new book was published with memories of the past 50 years. Many priests who minitered in this church wrote this book and it was distributed to all people with many gifts all in memory of this occasion. It is worth to mention that this church began it's ministry by the ordination of the late Heg Boules Boules who was among the first university graduates to become priest. Nowadays Heg Shenouda Matta, Fr Boules Neamat Alla and Fr Youannes Youssef are ministring the church. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Book Review =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Booklet about Angels -------------------- Written by HH Pope Shenouda in 32 pages (small size). It is the tenth booklet of Pope Shenouda - Price LE 0.25 It appeared on the occasion of Archangel Michael Feast on 21 December 98. The ten booklets shall shortly appear in a book in the name: Meditations on three feasts. Yet booklets would continue to appear seperately to be distributed in Youth meetings, Sunday School and the congregation in several occasions. Epistle to the Romans 12 ------------------------ 32 article are already compiled. They represent a complete indispensable spiritual module from the Epistles of St Paul. The book is a fruit of many lectures given by Pope Shenouda on 1971 (while bishop) and was resumed in (1998) and published in Watany Newspaper in 32 consequent issue. Now it is under press and shall appear in 200 pages in 2 month God willing. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=