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.: 31, 32 I | X Date: Friday 15 September 2000 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O Read in this issue: ------------------ - Pope Shenouda's Trip to England, USA and Canada ...................... - Bishop Suriel of Melbourne ........................................... - Bishop Gabriel in Austria ............................................ - International Coptology Congress in the Netherlands .................. - Miscellaneous News ................................................... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Pope Shenouda's Trip to England, USA and Canada =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Pope in England: ------------------- In the evening of Thursday 10 August 2000, accompanied by HG Bishop Serapion, Pope Shenouda arrived to London. They were collected at the airport and driven to the Coptic Centre in Stevenage where Pope Shenouda met with some 17 Coptic priest from all around the United Kingdom and was entertained to lunch. Seminar of the Priests: ---------------------- In the evening, the first seminar for the priests was held. In the morning of Friday 11 August 2000, the second session of the seminar took place. Pope Shenouda's word covered three topics: - The importance of Understanding in the life of a priest - Violence, it's symptoms and harm - Severity of heart and it's symptoms in a priest's behaviour In the evening of the same day, Pope Shenouda met with the members of the comittee of Virgin Mary and St Shenouda Church in Croydon. The meeting was attended also by Bishop Angelos and Fr Isaac Ibrahim the parish priest. They discussed the role of the committee and it's membership. To the church in Brighton: ------------------------- Pope Shenouda drove onto Virgin Mary and St Abraam Church in Brighton to consecrate it's icons. HH was accompanied by Their Graces Bishops Misael, Serapion, Anthony, Barnabas, Damian and Angelos and the Priests Heg Zakaria Boutros, Heg Bishoy Boushra, Heg Antonios Thabet, Fr Yohanna Habib and Fr Bishoy Anba-Bishoy. After the conclusion of the consecration office, Heg Zakaria Boutros gave a word and read a piece of poetry he had written himself to welcome Pope Shenouda. Then Pope Shenouda accompanied by the fathers visited the house of the Orkhon Mr Gamal Khalil to pray for him and spread blessed water all over his house. Finally the party drove to Birmingham where Pope Shenouda stayed overnight. Consecration of the Church in Doncaster: --------------------------------------- On Sunday morning, Pope Shenouda drove for to hours from Birmingham before reaching Doncaster. He was accompanied with six bishops and nine priests to consecrate the altar of the church of St Anthony. After the prayers, Pope Shenouda distributed souvenirs for the congregation and was entertained to lunch there. On the table, Bishop Anthony gave a word of welcome then Pope Shenouda gave a word where he talked about the pastoral responsibility towards children and youngsters before driving back to Birmingham. To the airport: -------------- >From Birmingham, Pope Shenouda drove to Heathrow Airport where he was farewelled by the Bishops and Priests. There were also the Egyptian Consul General Mr Mohamed Saad El-Din and Advisor Hashem Kassem on behalf of the Egyptian Ambassador. >From there, accompanied by Bishop Serapion, Pope Shenouda flew to the USA. Pope Shenouda in America: ------------------------ In the the evening of 14 August Pope Shenouda arrived to USA accompanied by Bishop Serapion. He was received at the airport by Bishops Macarius of Eritrea, Moussa, Youssef and David as well as his legal advisor in USA Mr Maged Riad El-Deiry [Security measures made it impossible to receive HH at the airport so they received hom from the plane to the car]. The party drove onto the Papal Residence at Cedar Grove where a multitude of Coptic priests and faithful received him. HH spend two day (15-16 Aug) in New Jersey holding meetings with the priests and people before flying on 17 Aug to Canada. On 17 Aug 00 morning, HH ordained several Eritrean people to the degree of singer (psaltos) and Reader (Gnostos). Those people where nominated by Fr Antonios of St Kitts, Virgin Islands and Bermuda (Caribbean Island) who had a private talk with HH concerning his ministry. Pope Shenouda in Canada: ----------------------- Accompanied by Bishops Antonios-Marcos and David, Pope Shenouda arrived in Canada in the evening of 17 August 2000. He spent four days full of work: 1- He consecrated the altar of Virgin Mary and St Abraam Agax and he celebrated the liturgy there assisted by Bishops Antonios-Marcos and David. Then he was entertained to a dinner banquet organised by the church where he gave a talk and presented the audience with gifts. This took place on 18 August from the morning to late at night. 2- He called at St George and St Ruweis the same evening to meet with the people and view and comment the new icons recently painted by Deaconess Sawsan and the construction work taking place there. Then he drove to Mississauga to spend overnight. 3- On 19 August HH participated in the festival held in Mississauga on the occasion of the Millennium for the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt. In the morning, HH was guided through the Picture Exhibition of the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt by one of the church servants. The festival was attended by the mayor of Mississauga and the Egyptian Ambassador in Canada Dr Salama Shaker. Then HH drove to Virgin Mary and St Athanasios Church which is the largest and biggest church in the Diaspora. Several talks where then given by Heg Angelos Mikhail the church priest, some servants, officials and the mayor of Mississauga (who is almost 80 years old and was elected on several period that the Pope calls her the everlasting mayor). Then the Egyptian Ambassador Dr Salama Shaker talked before the word was given to HH Pope Shenouda who talked about Egypt and it's biblical and historical importance and the Flight of the Holy Family. On the evening of 19 August, the Pope flew to Montreal and was accompanied as well by the Egyptian Ambassador and her husband. In Montreal: ----------- In the morning, Pope Shenouda drove to Virgin Mary Church in Montreal where he was assisted by Bishop David to consecrate the iconostasis, celebrate the liturgy and ordain new deacons. HH gave a word both in English and Arabic as well as the consecration office. In the evening, he visited St George and St Jospeh Church where he participated in the millennium festival and congratulated the parishioners for the new building of their church and gave a pastoral word and a word about Egypt and it's glories in the past and present. The Ambassador of Egypt Dr Salama attended the meeting and gave a word and attended as well in the morning in Virgin Mary Church. The Syrian Metropolitan gave a word and the festival was concluded almost at midnight. The Pope had to travel the next morning to St Catherine. In St Catherine: --------------- >From Montreal, Pope Shenouda travelled to St Catherine and arrived in the morning of 21 August in order to consecrate it's the church's altar. The church there is a small chapel under construction but owns a piece of land of 4 acres. It shall have a splendid building God willing it shall have a splendid building soon. After the consecration, Pope Shenouda gave a word reminding responsibles for the importance to care for the new generation of youngsters and children. Then he was entertained to lunch by the priests and people before driving on back to Montreal. In Montreal, he celebrated the Eve of the Virgin's Feast. He entered the church with difficulty among the crowds of thousands of faithful. After the raising of incense, he gave a spiritual word about fasting and answered questions that were submitted. In the next morning, he flew back to New Jersey. In the Egyptian Consulate: ------------------------- In the evening of 22 August 00, the Coptic church organized a banquet to farewell Her Excellency the Egyptian Consul Soheir Zaki who had nice relations with everybody. Pope Shenouda called at the office of his legal advisor Mr Magued Riad in his way to the consulate. Arriving there, Mrs Soheir Zaki welcomed the Pope who in his turn praised the nice work she did during her work and presented her with a gift. Meetings with the people: ------------------------ Every evening, HH met with crowds of people to give spiritual words and answer questions. He also had meetings with youth leaders and a group from BLESS-USA In Los Angeles: -------------- On Thursday 24 August 00 evening, Pope Shenouda flew to Los Angeles (more than 5 hours) where he took a car to the house of Dr George Hanna to ask about his health. He was accompanied by Bishop Serapion and some priests. He prayed for him and anointed him with blessed oil. This visit left a nice impact on him. Then the party drove to the Bishopric Secretariat and Virgin Mary church where he prayed the thanksgiving and blessed the attendants. In the evening, he attended a very crowded meeting of priests, church servants and seminarians and gave them an appropriate word. On Friday 25 August 00, Pope Shenouda gave a spiritual theological word at the general meeting of the church. On Saturday 26 August 00, Pope Shenouda travelled from Los Angeles to Nashville the capital of Tennessee. In Nashville: ------------ In this city till very recently, there was no Coptic church. It was only after the immigration of 400 Coptic family and their installation there that Bishop Youssef built a church and appointed Fr Boutros Boutros to be their priest and now because of the expansion of ministry he appointed another priest to be ordained for them. Bishop Youssef asked HH to consecrate the church and ordain the new priest. On Saturday evening the Pope held a general meeting for the people, he gave a word and answered their questions. In the morning of Sunday 27 August, HH celebrated the liturgy and ordained the new priest in the name Fr Mina Iskander who is currently passing the fourty days in Egypt at Virgin Mary (Syrian) monastery. Seminar for the priests: ----------------------- >From Nashville, Pope Shenouda flew to Boston calling at Chicago. In the airport of Chicago, HH met with many Coptic faithful who asked and inssisted that HH visits their city. Among them were the two Coptic priests in Chicago Heg Samuel Thabet and Fr Isaac Boutros. HH promised that he would visit them to consecrate both St Mark and Virgin Mary Churches. >From the airport of Boston Pope Shenouda was drive to Virgin Mary Vineyard (187 acres) which was bought by Heg Moussa El-Gohary as a multipurpose Coptic Centre. He built there a church, a social building, Retreat House, Refectory, kitchens, worship spots and children amusement parks. The priests had gathered there for several times and enjoyed an ideal hospitality. In Cleveland: ------------ >From Boston Pope Shenouda flew to Cleveland where he visited Prof Dr Nabil Bissada the dean of the Faculty of Dentists and spent a calm day with his writings and papers. From Cleveland, HH flew back to New Jersey. In Long Island: -------------- >From the Papal Residence in Cedar Grove, Pope Shenouda drove onto the Coptic Church in Long Island where he consecrated the icons recently painted by Deaconess Sawsan before giving a spiritual word for the people. Millennium Celebrations: ---------------------- The Coptic Centre and Papal Residence in Cedar Grove organised a festival on the occasion of the millennium. Crowds and thousands of people attended from all over USA and many delegations presented from Chicago, Washington and Pennsylvania. To conclude Pope Shenouda gave a word and distributed gifts to the attendants. Then the trip back began where Pope Shenouda accompanied by Bishop Boules took the plane from New Ark Airport in New York. The plane took off on 3 September 00 evening to arrive at Heathrow Airport in London UK in the morning of 4 September 00 The trip back: ------------- On Monday 4 September 00 morning, Pope Shenouda was received by clergy and officials at Heathrow airport. From there he took the car to Stevanage with Bishops Misael, Anthony, Angelos and Heg Bishoy Boushra and Heg Antonios Thabet. In Stevenage Pope Shenouda met with the remaining priests and Bishop Gabriel who had come specially from Austria. Pope Shenouda prayed the thanksgiving and had a rest. At the BBC: ---------- Following a former invitation, Pope Shenouda drove to the BBC Broadcast Centre with bishops and some priests. HH met there with Mr Mark Byfor the world Director of BBC, Mr Gaman McLellan Head of the Arabic Departement at the BBC, Mr Hassan Abul-Ela the responsible of General Relations, Mr Mustafa Anwar Head of the News Section at the Arabic Departement and the producers Mrs Hala Othman and Mr Mohamed El-Osheiry. At the BBC Pope Shenouda had three interviews: 1- In English with Martin Plam in the Program "World Today" 2- In Arabic with Mr Afaf Galal in the Program "Likaa` Khaas" 3- In English with Farari Sevenzo at the BBC African Service Then the party drove back to Stevanage. Lecture at the Theological Seminary: ----------------------------------- In the evening of the same day, Pope Shenouda inaugurated the new scholar year at St Athanasios Theological Seminary in Stevenage with a lecture in English titled "Jehovah's Witnesses and Sabattians" as part of the Comparative Theology Topic of the seminary. Chrismations and priest ordination: ---------------------------------- On Tuesday 5 September 00 morning, among hundreds of people, Pope Shenouda baptised two children before ordaining a new priest Fr Shenouda Asham Shenouda. Back: ---- In the evening, accompanied by the bishops and priests, Pope Shenouda took the car to Heathrow Airport where he flew at 17:30 on British Airways to arrive Cairo Airport at 23:00 where he was received by Metropolitans, Bishops, Members of the General Congregational Council and Orkhons. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Bishop Suriel of Melbourne =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Monday 14 August 00, HG Bishop Suriel of Melbourne was invited by the Anglican Church there to talk about the Coptic Church: it's history, traditions and spirituality. Many Coptic priests accompanied him there. We are glad that the clergy in the immigration countries inform the churches in the west about the Coptic church and it's glories. On 17 August 00, Bishop Suriel gathered with the architectural commitee that he formed to assist him in the building projects he is initiating. The following topics were discussed during the meeting: 1- St Athanasios Center in Melbourne 2- Archangel Michael Church in Dunedin New Zealand 3- St Mark and St George Church in Perth. The minister of planning in Perth approved the building of this church to be built on the 5 acres piece of land that Bishop Suriel bought for this purpose. On Sunday 19 August 00, Bishop Suriel celebrated the liturgy with the deacons of the diocese. More than 100 deacon attended. HG talked about the characteristics of the personality of the deacon. The same evening he met with the librarians of the diocese who are responsible of Coptic church libraries and gave them recommendations. On 22 August 00, at the Virgin Feast Day Bishop Suriel met with the students of Virgin Mary College. The meeting was attended by more than 200 student. He gave them a spiritual word and distributed them with gifts. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Bishop Gabriel in Austria =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 19 August was a special reception day in Austria for the newly consecrated Bishop Gabriel. He was preceded by Bishop Barnabas in Austria and was received by the priests of Austria and some clergy from Italy, Switzerland, Hannover, Munich, Zurich and Stuttgart. Bishop Gabriel came off the plane accompanied by Bishop Kyrillos of Milan to be received at the VIP lounge by churches representatives, Egyptian Embassy representatives, members of the Egyptian Club in Vienna, representatives of the Egypt-Austria Society representatives, members of Coptic church committees and a number of Coptic parishioners and deacons choir. At the VIP lounge Bishop Gabriel sat between Bishop Kyrillos of Milan and Advisor Mohamed Youssef the Egyptian Consul General in Austria (the Egyptian Ambassador was absent at the time). After a welcoming word of our priest in Vienna, the Syrian Assistant Bishop Emmanuel Edein welcomed him focusing on the relations of love between the two churches (the Coptic and the Syrian). Then a word of welcome was presented by Prelat Bernhard Pakowsky, abbot of the Klosterneuburg Catholic monastery. This word was followed by another from the representative of Pro Oriente who welcomed the new bishop and expressed his wish to meet with Pope Shenouda whom he met in September 1971. Then both Dr Helmut Krazel the representative of the Catholic Church and Super Intendant Paul Weiland the representative of the Evangelical church welcomed with great love the new Coptic Bishop. Welcoming word followed of the Egyptian Consul General Advisor Mohamed Youssef who expressed his joy for the existence of the Coptic Church in Austria and Dr Samir Steino the representative of the Coptic Church in Vienna who talked about the history of the church, the official approval of the state and the consecration of the new bishop. Then welcoming words were presented by Bishops Kyrillos, Barnabas and Damian and Fr Sedrak Anba-Bishoy who expressed his joy and welcome for the new bishop. To conclude Bishop Gabriel thanked all of them before visiting the Catholic Monastery Klosterneuburg that welcomed him to be accomodated there. The bishop thanked them and preferred to stay at the house which was recently built by your church in Vienna. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= International Coptology Congress in the Netherlands =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= In the period 28 August to 1 September 00, the 7th International Coptology Congress organized by IACS (Inetrnational Association of Coptic Studies) was held in Leiden in the Netherlands. That congress was characterized by the bigger Coptic presence in terms of audience and papers presented. Some 250 scholar from different countries participated: 50 from Egypt, 43 from Germany, 37 from the Netherlands, 35 from USA, 20 from France and individuals from Portugal, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, England and others. The language Section was headed by Gerald Brown, Lietrature Section by George Horn, Papyri by Petermann, Art by Marie Helene, Antiquities by Peter Grossman, Monasticism by Iow Obeska, Liturgy by Heinzgerd Brakmann Gnosticism and Minicheism by Roelof van den Broek, Coptic-Arabic Studies by Mark Swansen and Nubian Christianity by Godlewski 120 papers were presented in four different halls at the Faculty of Antiquities of Leiden University. Bishop Samuel presented a paper about Deir El-Ganadla Monastery in Abu-Teig, while Bishop Thomas presented a paper on Popular Folklore in Coptic Mulids. Fr Maximos El-Antony presented a paper on the restoration of Coptic Icons in the Monastery of St Anthony and Fr Martiros El-Suriany about the paint layers at Virgin Mary Syrian Monastery. Fr Pigol El-Suriany presented a paper about Manuscripts at the Syrian Monastery and their restoration and Fr Zakaria El-Baramosy presented a paper about the restoration of the Fortress of the Baramous Monastery. Dr Rushdy Doss presented a paper about the Alexanrian Liturgy in Coptic Language and Dr Gawdat Gabra a paper about restoration problems. Dr Yohanna Nessim presented a paper on a bibliography of Severus of Antioch. Dr Ramez Wadie presented a paper on Gabal El-Teir (Monastery or Village), Mark Moussa presented a paper on the writing of Apa Shenute and Magdy Ibrahim Girgis about Ibrahim El-Nasekh. At the conclusion of the Congress, Dr Rodolphe Kasser, Dr Martin Krause and Bishop Samuel were elected as honorary presidium of IACS. It was decided that the 8th International Congress shall take place in Paris in 2004 and the 9th Congress in St Bishoy Monastery Wadi El-Natrun in 2008. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Miscellaneous News =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - The Coptic Church in Brazil: We learned from Heg Agathon Anba-Paula that the work is taking place to build the church and the final touches are being made now for the two floors and the ground floor. The work in the second phase shall recently begin. New members of the church are being baptized one day after another. - The Patriarchate in Ezbekia celebrates two centuries: This church has been the seat of the Patriarchate since two centuries. The celebration shall take place on 14 September 2000 at 19:30 an shall be headed by Pope Shenouda who shall talk as well as Bishop Raphael the General Bishop of the region. On this occasion, the Pope shall also visit the tombs of the Patriarchs, St Sarabamon Abu-Tarha the late Bishop of Menufia and St Stephan Church El-Mehalaka at the Patriarchate. - Since Friday 18 August 00, thousands of people gathered around the old Church of St Mark in Assiut to view spiritual appearances of Our Lady. A declaration on those appearances was issued by the Diocese of Assiut and was published in Watani Newspaper. - A letter arrived from the Prime Minister Cabinet allocating 2000 sq meters for the building of a new church in Tor. We Thank the Prime Minister for this decision and congratulate the people of Sinai in the region of Tor. - On Sunday 13 August 00, HG Bishop Maximos the General Bishop celebrated the liturgy at the new church in El-Salam which was followed by regular weekly liturgies. We congratulate the Copts of this vast area on the possibility to worship and thank the State and security people. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=