Keraza No 37,38 - Friday 27 October 2000 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Reception of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On the 2nd November 1999, HH Catholicos Karekin II was consecrated Catholicos of All Armenians for the See of Etchmiadzin after being for some while bishop of Yerevan the Capital of Armenia. It is his first visit to Egypt after his consecration. In the evening of Thursday 12 October 2000 he arrived at the Cairo Airport to be received by Their Graces Metropolitan Bishoy and Bihops Moussa and Joannes. From the airport, the party drove on to St Mark Cathedral where he was received in a big ceremony by more than 11 thousand Copts: youngsters, scout and faithful while the Cathedral was decorated with colour lamps and various decorations. Catholicos Karekin was accompanied by an Armenian delegation: 1- Very Rev. Arshbishop Arsen Berberian 2- Very Rev. Arshbishop Dirayr Mardikian, Primate of Dioceses Rumaria and Bulgara 3- Very Rev. Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, Head of Interchurch relations departement 4- Very Rev. Bishop Arakel Karamyan, Primate of Kotaik Diocese (Diocese) 5- Very Rev. Fr Arshen Sanossyan, Head of Chaplines 6- Very Rev. Arshbishop Zaven Chinchinian 7- His Excellency the Ambassador of Armenia Serkey Manasaryan 8- Mr Fadei Sargisian, President of the Sincese of Armenia. With beautiful Coptic hymns chanted by the choir, both Catholicos Karekin and Pope Shenouda entered the Cathedral in a big ceremonial procession with metropolitans and deacons. After the prayer, Pope Shenouda welcomed the Catholicos in English and the word was simultaniously translated into Arabic to the people by Metropolitan Bishoy. Pope Shenouda talked about his last visit to Armenia. He congratulated the catholicos on his consecration as catholicos of All Armenians. The Pope talked about the care of our church for youngsters in Sunday School, youth meetings, university families, church student hostels, monastery retreat houses, local and overseas youth conventions and all activities under the care of HG Bishop Moussa of the Youth. Then Catholicos Karekin gave a word in Armenian and was simultaneously translated into Arabic. He greeted the Coptic church and talked about the relations between the two churches. The meeting was concluded with a pastoral blessing and the Pope greeted the Catholicos. Visit to monasteries: -------------------- On Friday 13 October, Catholicos Karekin traveled to Alexandria where he visited the Armenian Diocese and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Boutros VII of Alexandria. At 20:00 pm, he arrived at St Bishoy Monastery where he was received by Pope Shenouda and Their Graces Abba Bishoy, Sarabamon, Abraam, Boutros, Ruweis and Selwanes. He prayed at the monastery's old church before being entertained to supper by Pope Shenouda and the bishops. On Saturday 14 October 2000 morning, they all had breakfast together before proceeding in monasteries' visits so they visited the Virgin Mary Baramous Monastery and the Nuns Convent in Khatatba and the day was concluded by a comprehensive visit to St Bishoy Monastery. Both Bishops Lukas and Joannes joined the party and it was a nice chance to recognize the church and it's activities. The Catholicos and the accompanying delegations were all presented with nice gifts. On Saturday evening, HH returned to Cairo while the Pope remained at the monastery where he received General Mohamed Abdel-Salam Mahgub the Mayor of Alexandria before returning to Cairo. At the Armenian Cathedral in Cairo: ---------------------------------- On Sunday 15 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda drove on to the Armenian Orthodox Cathedral at Ramses str where he was received by HH Catholicos Karekin and the choir of deacons, clergy and Armenian students. After a short pause, they celebrated together a liturgy at the Armenian Patriarchate and the Catholicos gave a word for his Armenian flock in Armenian where he greeted Pope Shenouda. In turn, Pope Shenouda gave a word in Arabic where he greeted the Catholicos and the people. >From the Armenian Cathedral Pope Shenouda drove on to Alexandria to give his general semi-monthly Bible Study at St Mark Cathedral there before driving back the same night to Cairo. Visit and signature of protocol: ------------------------------- On Monday 16 October 2000 evening, Catholicos paid a further visit to Pope Shenouda in the Papal Residence in Cairo. During this visit a protocol was read. This protocol clarifying the relation and fields of cooperation between the two churches had been prepared by a common committee headed by Metropolitan Bishoy from the Coptic church and Metropolitan Kechichyan from the Armenian Church. Both Pope Shenouda and Catholicos Karekin signed the Protocol before being entertained to lunch by St Mark Center and exchanging presents. The Catholicos left the same night and it is worth to note that he ha paid a visit this same morning to the Grand Cheikh of Al-Azhar. At the Armenian Embassy in Zamalek: ---------------------------------- To welcome Catholicos Karekin, the Armenian Embassy organized a banquet which was attended by Pope Shenouda, Patriarch Boutros VII of the Greek Orthodox Church, Dr Farid Wassel the Mufti of Egypt, Moslem cheikhs along with metropolitans and bishops from both churches. They all talked together and some presents were exchanged. Visits to some churches and the Coptic Museum: --------------------------------------------- On Wednesday 18 October 2000 morning, Catholicos Karekin and the accompanying party visited the Armenian College in Heliopolis. Then they were joined by Metropolitan Bishoy and Bishop Joannes to visit Virgin Mary Church Ardel-Golf where they were received by a number of priests and people. The party visited also Om-Elnur Social and Medical Service Center which is affiliated to the church along with the Kindergarten, the Hospital, El-Ragaa incurable desease Center and the Elderly House. The party then drove on to St Georgios and St Anthonios church in Heliopolis where they visited the church and the adjacent service center, the Elderly House, Sunday School classes, the Cultural Library, the Religious Library, the Child Library, the Computer Lab and Virgin Mary Festival Hall. Then Catholicos Karekin drove on to the Coptic Museum. Leaving Egypt: ------------- On Thursday 19 October 2000 morning, Catholicos Karekin flew from Cairo to Adis Abeba after having acquired a living idea about the Coptic church and its work with the youth, monasteries and churches in education, building and spread. He was greeted at the Cairo Airport by Metropolitan Bishoy and Bishop Joannes. Special Promises: ---------------- In September 2001, Armenia shall celebrate 17 centuries of Christianity being approved official religion of the country. In this occasion, Catholicos Karekin invited Pope Shenouda to attend the celebrations in Armenia and the Pope gave his word. The catholicos also asked Pope Shenouda to delegate two Coptic nuns to found a monastic community in Armenia and the Pope promised to send them. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Word of Catholicos Karekin St Mark Cathedral Tursday 12 October 2000 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Brother in Christ Pope Shenouda III We pray to the Lord and thank Him since He gave us this chance to visit hospitable Egypt. We thank you indeed for this marvelous reception and care which left a spiritual feeling in me. Your word about Sunday School, Sunday School teachers and Christian Education is very close to our heart. Youngsters are the pushing strenght of our lives giving a meaning to our mission. We learned with great joy about the christian education you are doing with bishops and members of the Coptic church and good formation for missionary work and handing on of fathers' and Christ's teachings to the people. I want to stress that the faithful people living a pious life is indeed the real preacher of the Gospel. What we witnessed upon our entrance into St Mark Cathedral is the best proof of the great efforts made by the bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church to enroot the faith in the hearts of it's children. This visit to Egypt which took place upon your invitation ensure the old relations between our Armenian and Coptic churches. As new head of the Armenian Church, we came to ensure our brotherhood to Pope Shenouda in Christ. This meeting with the head of the church which was founded by St Mark fills our hearts with great joy. We rejoice also to see the bishops and generous faithful of the Coptic Church. We visit Egypt which has different old civilizations where the Lord's words found a fertile soil in the time of the apostles. The Coptic church is rich also in Christian traditions. Those are visible since the time of the early church and the foundation of of the See of Alexandria and early fathers of the church. In great faith, like the Armenian church the Coptic church persues its mission having the cross guide the faithful flock through the different disasters and keep strong faith in God's words. Your Holiness, we relay the greetings and love of the Armenian people to our dear Coptic people and to your dear country which received and kept Armenian people since early centuries. The friendship and ties between our churches flourish also to bless our Armenian children living in Egypt. Lead by Arshbishop Zaven Chinchinian here in Egypt, the Armenian people participate positively in building modern Egypt. We have faith that ties developed between our churches and love gathered us today. We wish that it would unite all churches together. We pray that the light of the gospel and the words of St Mark would spread in the whole world. This mission which is best done by Your Holiness as Supreme Patriarch and the Coptic clergy. Once more, I thank you for this warm reception. As head of the Armenian Church, I have this pleasure in my first visit to Egypt to invite your holiness in 2001 to Armenia to participate in the celebrations of 17 centuries of christianity as official religion of the country. In this occasion of our meeting, we pray that the Lord keeps both the Coptic and Armenian Churches an keep their friendship for long centuries to come. We are also very happy to witness the abunding love you show to the great father Pope Shenouda III and the love the spiritual father gives also to his children. This love is the true strenght of the Coptic church and the strenght of faith. Under the dome of the great St Mark Cathedral we raise our prayers. This cathedral is a stone incarnation for the Coptic people structure. We pray the Lord that He grants you health, strenght and long life that your love strenghtens your faithful people and your wise words received with prayers. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Miscellaneous News =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Tuesday 17 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda received a delegation of 23 Coptic Archons and NGO heads from North Sudan to discuss the nominations for a new bishop. The Pope promised to study the nominations. The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Pachomius of Behera, Bishop Sarabamon of Atbara and Um-Durman, Bishop Joannes the secretary of the Pope and Bishop Gabriel. The delegation was accompanied by Heg Philotheos Farag and Fr Bishoy Wadie from the Sudan. On Tuesday 17 October 2000 evening, Pope Shenouda met with the teaching staff at the ICS Institute of Coptic Studies. They dicussed many issues inlcuding the exams and a further meeting is planned on Monday 23 October 2000. In this meeting, the Pope appointed Dr Rasmy Abdel-Malek Supervisor of the ICS after the departure of the late Dr Nabil Sobhy. On Tuesday 17 October 2000 evening, at the Papal Residence in Cairo, Pope Shenouda received the Ethiopian Metropolitans their graces Metropolitan Gabriel of Jerusalem and Metropolitan Argary of Gundar in Ethiopia. Following their demand, the Pope began the meeting with a spiritual word. Then the Pope spoke frankly about the relations between the Coptic and the Ethiopian Churches. The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Bishoy and Bishops Joannes and Gabriel. The meeting was characterized by the spirit of mutual love. They were presented by souvenirs and they expressed their joy for the spread of the Coptic church and it's success and development in all fields locally and overseas. Metropolitan Gabriel addressed the Pope saying:"When I kiss your hands, I do indeed kiss the hands of St Athanasios". Metropolitan Agary said: "I was your student at the Theological Seminary when you were bishop". The next day (Wednesday), the two metropolitans attended the Pope's weekly lecture at St Mark Cathedral. On Monday 16 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda received the teaching staff at the Theological Seminary in Cairo. The disscussed relevant subjects to the seminary administration and some topics to teach. It was decided that the first day in study should be Monday 23 October 2000. On Tuesday 24 October evening, the Pope would give his first lecture to the seminarians in Comparative Theology which shall be about "Johova's Witnesses and Sabattians" On Wednesday 11 October 2000 evening (after the Bible Study), Pope Shenouda received a delegations of Coptic priests from Ismailia who came to inquire the consecration of a new bishop for them. They discussed this issue and the Pope promised to do his best for it. On Tuesday 10 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda received Eng. Ramzy Naguib, head of the Architectural Departement at the Ministry of Antiquities and Fr Lucas Anba-Bishoy. The meeting was about the revival of El-Zogag (Glass) monastery. On Tuesday 10 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda received His Excellency Mr Franklin Bahamonde the Ambassador of the Ecuador (South America) in Egypt in an introductory meeting. This meeting was also attended by HG Bishop Joannes. On Monday 9 October 2000 morning, Pope Shenouda received the renown Catholic nun Soeur Marie-Emmanuelle who is known for her charity works. She was accompanied by Tasoni Sarah from Mary's Daughters House in Beni-Sweif and Tasoni Ruth Elia. A new building for monks was built at the monastery of St Samuel by the abbot HG Bishop Basilios. The new builing would be enough to accomodate 97 monk and includes a potable water reservoir and salty water reservoir for washing. Virgin Mary and St Mina church House in Sharm El-Sheikh city welcomes spiritual conventions and retreats. The house accomodates 50 person. All rooms are air conditionned and there is a garden for meditation. For inquiries call: +2012-363-9495, +2012-213-5720, +2069-661-097 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=