Keraza Nos 39,49 (full version) Keraza Nos 39,49 - dated Friday 23 November 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The 30th anniversary of the enthronement of Pope Shenouda ------------------------------------------------------------------ The celebrations were magnificent indeed. The achievements of the church in modern ages were displayed. In the first day of the celebrations (Friday 9 November 2001), six patriarchs attended along with dozens of metropolitans and bishops, hundreds of priests and thousands of people. The celebrations lasted for five days concluding of Tuesday 13 November 2001. Saturday was dedicated to the Theological Seminary where Pope Shenouda distributed 300 certificates to graduates and gave them a pastoral talk, Metropolitan Bishoy also talked this day. The great St Mark Cathedral was decorated with lights in a beautiful way. The ceremony was punctual and well organised by dozens of scouts who shared also a marvellous presentation. A big fair was made in the hall under the Cathedral and an adjacent exposition of photographs of churches and monasteries. A documentary was prepared by Mr Samir Fahmy. The ceremony consisted of sessions divided by chanting of 16 church choirs from Cairo, Alexandria, upper and lower Egypt dioceses. 17 Coptic metropolitans and bishops from abroad came to attend this event amongst were: 1- Metropolitan Abraham of Jerusalem 2- Metropolitan Marcos of Marseilles and Toulon 3- Bishop Athanasios of France 4- Bishop Antonios-Marcos of Africa 5- Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles 6- Bishop Paul of Mission 7- Bishop Gabriel the General Bishop in Austria 8- Bishops Serapamon and Elijah of Sudan In the first day, the cathedral had guests sitting in front facing the people: 1- Pope Shenouda III 2- Patriarch Mor Zakka Eiwass of the Syrian Orthodox Church 3- Catholicos Mor Aram of the Armenian Orthodox Church 4- Patriarch Abune Phillippos of the Eritrean Orthodox Church 5- Cardinal Stephanos of the Coptic Catholic Church 6- Patriarch Gregorius Lahham of the Greek Catholics Heads of churches that attended: 1- Revd Mounir Hanna Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Egypt and Africa 2- Revd Selim Sehiuny of the Presidium of the MECC and Head of the Evangelical Churches in Syrian and Lebanon 3- Revd Safwat El-Bayady head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt 4- Revd Riyad Jarjur the Secretary General of the MECC A number of Metropolitans and Bishops attended from the Coptic church as well as other christian churches. Many archons also attended and spoke amongst were: Dr Tharwat Bassili, deputy of the GCC General Congregational Council Advisor Edward Ghaleb, secretary of the GCC Adv. Melek Mina, secretary of the Coptic Endowments Organisation Prof Dr Rasmy Abdel-Malek, professor at the American University In his word during the celebrations MorIgnatius Zakka I of Antioch summarised the life and ministry of Pope Shenouda since he served in his youth at Sunday School. He mentioned the work of God in his episcopate, the enthronement day on 1971 and the great revival that took place in the Coptic church. MorIgnatius talked about the humility and energy that characterises Pope Shenouda and said: Pope Shenouda is one man with the value of thousand men. The Syrian church mentions his name in its offices and liturgies day and night. It asks his intercessions and listens to his lectures on tapes inside their homes, work and cars. He is indeed a universal teacher HH Catholicos Aram I of Celicia on the other hand, mentioned his memories of attending the enthronment day 30 years ago as priest. He said that Pope Shenouda Made the church closer to people and people closer to the church. He didnt merely speak of the church but transformed it into a living reality in the life of his people. Concluding his word he said: As ye know, we are members of the same church family having a sacramental unity. Expressing our congratulations and full communion in Eucharist, here I present a Eucharist Cup to the Pope HH Abune Philippos Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church talked too. He spoke of Pope Shenouda consecrating Eritrean bishops, forming a synod and crowning him as the first Patriarch for Eritrea and efforts over the past decade making the Eritrean Church part of the Oriental Orthodox Family. He compared his consecration by the Pope to David the prophet and king blessing his son Solomon. He described the Popes ministry with our Lords words: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:5,7 8) and he presented Pope Shenouda with a big golden procession cross decorated in Eritrean carvings that might be put on stand on the desk or on a stick for procession. Dr Thawart Bassili deputy of the Coptic Orthodox GCC mentioned in his talk that a limited number of Popes of Alexandria celebrated their 30th anniversary as Popes. Those Popes account to 13 Pope and Pope Shenouda is the 14th. He mentioned their names as follows: 1. Pope Demetrius the Lord of the Vineyard, Pope Number 12 (188-230 AD)  42 years 2. Pope Athanasios the defender of the faith, Pope Number 20 (327-373 AD)  46 years 3. Pope Cyril I the Pillar of the faith, Pope Number 20 (412-444 AD)  32 years 4. Pope Theodosius, Pope Number 33 (536-567 AD)  31 years 5. Pope Damian, Pope Number 35 (569-605 AD)  36 years 6. Pope Benjamin I, Pope Number 38 (623-662 AD)  39 years 7. Pope Christodolus, Pope Number 66 (1046-1077 AD)  31 years 8. Pope Matthaus I, Pope Number 87 (1378-1408 AD)  30 years 9. Pope Joannes XIII, Pope Number 94 (1484-1524 AD)  40 years 10. Pope Joannes XVI, Pope Number 103 (1676-1718 AD)  42 years 11. Pope Morcos VIII, Pope Number 108 (1769-1809 AD)  40 years 12. Pope Petros El-Gauly, Pope Number 109 (1809-1852 AD)  43 years 13. Pope Cyril V, Pope Number 112 (1874-1927 AD)  53 years Metropolitan Andrawes Salama Deputy of the Coptic Catholic Patriarch talked saying that Coptic Catholics consider themselves as his children (Pope Shenoudas) including Patriarch Stephanos and all Catholics love him. He said that they saw and witnessed the various achievements and wish to see the greatest achievement of church unity accomplished soon. Revd Mounir Hanna Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Egypt and Africa began his word by relaying congratulations of various Anglican archbishops in the Middle East, Iran, USA and former archbishop Ghayes Abdel-Malek. He recalled his memories of Pope Shenouda (as bishop) lecturing at the Faculty of Medicine Cairo University in the 1960s while he was a student there. He also recalled his 8-days journey with the Pope on 1971 in Vienna (while he was nominated for the papcy) where he carried his staff and burnus and knew him closely. He said that the Pope is an example to the duties of the bishop in Education, energy and courage. Hegumen Gabriel Yanni Gabriel from the Anglican church also talked about the life of Pope Shenouda where he mentioned the Lords hand assisting the Pope in many decisive occasion amongst he mentioned: the problem with the Ethiopian church in 1971, visiting the Egyptian soldiers who later fought in Yom Kippur war on 1972, the Polygamy problem in 1978-79 that led later to the Unified Personal Statute, the Riddah Law on 1977, Ramadan Iftars banquets held in churches since 1986, considering Copts a minority on 1994 and the position towards Zionism and not considering the current Israel the Chosen People of God. Revd Safwat El-Bayady head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt, mentioned that they see in Pope Shenouda the head of the Christian family in Egypt. And when they pray for the church in Egypt, they always pray for HH and for their big sister and pioneer church. He mentioned the great role that the Pope played to unify the law of Personal Statute for all Christians in Egypt. And he concluded his word wishing long life for HH. Metropolitan Nicholas from the Greek Orthodox Church relayed the congratulations of the Byzantine Patriarch Petrus VII of Alexandria. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Word of Pope Shenouda ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Friday 9 November 2001, after the several words were spoken by different guests, Pope Shenouda talked saying the following: In fact my brothers, I was sitting all the time in big shame. I am ashamed of the great love you presented me and the words said by great fathers in humility. I am also ashamed because I was not able to a thing discreetly according to the Lords commandments. I was ashamed to be praised for things that were accorded to me unjustly while others participated in it. Despite of it, I should like to thank all those who attended and who spoke. I thank my brothers who came from far away. I thank HH the Patriarch of the Apostolic See of Antioch MorIgnatius Zakka. This spiritual and kind person full of humility and love who came despite of his illness. I also thank HH the Catholicos of Armenians MorAram who was twice elected moderator for the WCC World Council of Churches because of his diverse gifts and strength of his personality. I also thank Abune Philippos the Patriarch of Eritrea who came despite of his old age (98 years) and talked in love and humility. I thank the MECC Middle East Council of Churches represented here by its secretary general Revs Dr Riyad Jarjur and Revd Selim Sehiuny of its presidium from the Evangelical denomination and our son Mr Gerges Saleh the Co-moderator and all church representatives who came. I should also like to thank the Catholic fathers who came and left earlier because of their responsibilities. I thank them and thank ye all for your attendance. I thank them for the great humility in their words about me. Believe me it is hard to say. But like the words of St Antonios the Great: Enduring honour is harder than enduring insults. I also thank the choirs that chanted beautiful hymns and thank our daughter Salwa for the song she sang on the mode of the Church Psalter. I also thank Revd Dr Safwat El-Bayady the head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt for his attendance and his acceptance many times to enrol our sons in New Ramses College. It is with no doubt a great spirit. I thank all for their love, attendance, words and gifts. And above all, I thank God who granted me those 30 years. To him we all owe all success in any word and deed. For this occasion, I should like to say that before us lay few principles that guide us through all church work and we thank the Lord who helped us implementing them. First Principle: We are Just Delegates. We do not own the church. Only God owns it, He is the Lord of the vineyard and we are just delegates in His church. Our duty is to apply His good will. It is true that in priesthood God granted authority, yet this authority is limited by His will, that the priest wouldnt surpass. He only works within the divine will As delegates, we only do what He does through us without me ye can do nothing John 15:5 and since He is working through us, we do not deserve any praise for this work and as David said in the psalm: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake Ps 115:1. As His delegates, the money that reaches our hands is Gods money not ours. We cant use it but in the frame of His work and for His children. Even our time, we dont own it, we consecrated it to Him and we are delegates for this time and only spend it in what His owner God wants. Second Principle: The flock and its importance We are mere servants to this flock. We must always remember this reality and never rise above it as St Augustin said in his prayer: I ask Thou Lord for the sake of mine Lords thy servants and said also before them, I shall look like a shepherd, yet I am with them a sheep in thy flock. Thou carest for me and for them. For them, I look like a master, yet with them am I a disciple with them. Thou teachest me and them. Without the people, we would have never been in this responsibility. We are for them and not them for us. Because of the people we followed the well known principle It is the right of the people to choose their shepherd exactly as the disciples said when electing the seven deacons: Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:3 This is also what I am following in the consecration of each bishop and priest and I fulfil the will of the people that they enjoy his consecration. We do not impose anybody on them. Third Principle: Being Responsible It is impossible for anybody to be honest in any business he undertakes unless he feels responsibility. So what is our responsibility? It is a serious phrase that shakes anybody listening the day of the enthronement. When receiving the Pastoral Staff it is said: receivest thou the pastoral staff from the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ who counted you honest and instituted you for His flock whose blood He will require at thine hands The phrase whose blood He will require at thine hands is borrowed from Ezekiel the Prophet Chapters 3 and 33 (repeated for its importance). That means that if a person is lost because of our negligence, lack of care or lack of teaching, the Lord will ask his blood at our hands. May be we all remember that meaning while reciting the Psalm: Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God Ps 51:14 So the serious responsibility required from any Patriarch, any metropolitan, any bishop, any priest and any servant is the phrase: whose blood He will require at thine hands. We should always fear this responsibility and put before our eyes the sayings of the apostles in the Didascalia: May the Bishop care of every individual for his salvation. How can the Patriarch care for every individual? Of course through his assistants. Thats why as far as the Lord has giver me strength, I have consecrated till now 100 bishops and 633 priests to take over this burden and care for the salvation of every individual.. Specially that pastoral work is no easy, because we face a comprehensive responsibility. We care for everybody in all aspects of his life, spiritually, psychologically, socially, economically and guiding him to the life of piety. The Fourth Principle: Open Door Principle When I first began this responsibility, there was a known custom the Pope doesnt visit, he is visited. Thats why the Popes residence was called the Papal Cell as continuity for his monastic life and to keep his fear among people. So the Pope sat on his seat giving prayers and blessings and managing the church from his place and rarely goes out. I felt forced to break this custom. I wouldnt look for peoples fear but for their love and the salvation of their souls whatever that might cost. Putting before my eyes what was written about our Lord who went about doing good Acts 10:38 andwent about all the cities and villages, teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Matt 9:35 Therefore, I went wandering, pastoring and working. When I first visited USA and Canada they said it is the first visit of the Coptic Pope there. When I visited Australia they said the same. And the same was said when I first visited Johannesburg, Zimbabwe and Zaire and when I visited the Zulu tribes in South Africa. I may be the Pope of Alexandria who took planes most frequently. Not only I visited our sons in the different continents of the world but I also began visiting hospitals, NGOs, syndicates and faculties. And also the field of press and mass media in Egypt and abroad. The open door approach expanded to include my Muslim Religious Leaders brethren I visited the Grand Sheikh of El-Azhar, he visited me and we exchanged visits several times. I might also be the first Pope to visit the Residence of the Grand Sheikh of Azhar. I did also visit the Grand Mufti and we exchanged visits. It began to be usual to cross Muslim Sheikhs at the Patriarchate or Bishops and priests at the Grand Sheikh Residence. The relations increased with the Iftar Banquets held by the Patriarchate and churches every year at the month of Ramandan. Those banquets are attended by the Prime Minister, Heads of the Senate and Parliament, a number of ministers, the Grand Sheikh of Azhar, the Mufti, men of Law, some mayors, presidents of universities, heads of Publication Houses, writers, a number of Muslim Sheikhs, members of the parliament, public councils and artists. Spiritual words are said then and leave a positive impact on people. Such banquets began spreading to many suburbs of Cairo and different governorates and cities. They binded people`s hearts together and encouraged more unity. Relations to Muslim brothers began to extend to Muslims abroad. In Lebanon, I met more than 70 Muslim religious leaders. Amongst was Sheikh Mohamed Mahdy Shams El-Din the head of the Chiia Islamic Council, Sheikh Dr Mohamed Rashid El-Kabbany the Mufty of Lebanon, the Mufti of the Druze and others. I had strong relations to them. In Syria, I visited the El-Nur Mosque and gave a talk there and my relations became tight to its Imam Sheikh Kaftaru. I visited also the mosque in London, in Paris and the Islamic Council in Washington. In Egypt, I had good relations to the late Sheikh Mohamed Metwally El-Sharawy. I sent many clergy to ask about his health in London and I visited him when he was under treatment in one of the hospitals in Egypt. He also visited me back many times and we exchanged talk about poetry. We became closer that he changed his former attitudes. I also visited the YMMA Young Men Muslim Association in Alexandria. In every country I visit abroad, I visit the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate there so I formed various relations to diplomats. The open door approach also encouraged me to give many many talks to the media. I have also a closer relation to President Mubarak and state responsibles. Many problems may be solved through a talk to President Mubarak with his kind spirit or meetings with some ministers. Therefore, I always tell the fathers in churches: May you have good relations to state responsibles. Many problems may be solved by good relations more than literary laws. It is known that planting love the harvest would be love too! While in your way plant the seeds of love for everybody. It shall surely bring fruits even after a while. Fifth Principle: Youth and Immigration Countries I used to say: A church with no youth has no future. Therefore, it was the first time in the history of our church to consecrate a bishop for the youth who is bishop Moussa. He meets with youngsters and solves their problems. He takes cares of all youth activities, he opens the way and let it grow. Such youth conventions are held during summer in Egypt and abroad in USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. As a fruit if that, Coptic youngsters abroad have less problems than others. We open our hearts for them and they open theirs for us. We recognise problems and put our efforts to help them solve them. We plant principles and explain the consequences of faults. The work with Youth expanded much that Bishop Moussa requested to consecrate an assistant bishop. So we consecrated Bishop Raphael. Bishop Angelos in Stevenage also, he works with youngsters in the whole area and helps in Youth Conventions in USA too. Our care for immigration countries included the construction and acquisition of many churches in order to provide any Coptic community with a place for worship. In return, the number of Coptic churches in the west increase for 7 churches (at the time of my enthronement) to 200 churches. The activity of those churches increased, it bought land and built worship and activities places in an amazing way. Some of those churches made Coptic Colleges to educate for our children in a spiritual atmosphere. Theological Seminaries too began being constructed in USA, Australia and Stevenage. Monasteries also began being constructed and people are everywhere now in the grace of God. We began having bishops in USA, Melbourne Australia, UK, France, Italy, Germany and Austria. And still a wider work to do with the grace of God. A missionary work has also been conducted in Africa With the consecration of Bishop Antonios-Marcos followed by Bishop Paul, churches expanded to Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo, Cote dIvoire, Namibia and South Africa. We thank the Lord for all that. A new ministry has also begun in Brazil and Bolivia and with Gods will it shall reach Mexico. Sixth Principle: Development of Women We opened the doors of the Theological Seminary and Higher Institute of Coptic Studies for women who began studying. Many became professors there in many fields: The Bible, Theologyetc. Many of seminarians are benefiting in their teaching at Sunday Schools or in raising their children later as mothers. We also initiated the ministering deaconess system beside the nunnery monastic existing system. Those deaconesses lead and participate in many fields of church services and activities. In every church council, we cared for women representation, in Egypt or abroad. Also in Committees for Poor Ministry, women are taking a leading role. At the end, we should thank the Lord for His work with us and for His grace that helped implementing those principles at the extent that our weakness endured I thank ye all for listening. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Miscellaneous News ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Saturday 3 November 2001 evening Pope Shenouda along with the Mayor of Alexandria inaugurated the Special Care Unit and the renovations at the inner division at St Tekla Specialised Hospital (Hospital affiliated to the church). The same day coincided with the 16th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital that was attended by more than 2000 persons. The hospital administration projected a documentary about the advanced devices it acquired and the advanced services it offers. On Wednesday 7 November 2001 evening, Pope Shenouda drove on to St Mark Centre at Nasr City in order to welcome HH MorZakka Eiwass I Patriarch of Antioch who had just come. The same evening, the Pope gave his weekly lecture at St Mark cathedral. The lecture was entitled Cloud of witnesses. On Friday 9 November, Pope Shenouda welcomed HH Abune Philippos Patriarch of Eritrea and his company. The evening of the same day, he drove on to St Mark Centre at Nasr City where he welcomed HH Catholicos Aram I who had arrived the dawn of Friday. And at 18:00 pm, the great ceremony started at St mark Cathedral. This ceremony was attended by six Patriarchs and church representatives and lasted till 23:00 pm. On Saturday 10 November Catholicos Aram returned to his See in Lebanon and on Monday 12 November Mor Zakka Eiwass returned to his See in Syria. On Thursday 15 November 2001 morning, Pope Shenouda paid a visit to Abune Phillippos the Patriarch of Eritrea at his residence at the Papal Residence who flew back to Asmara the evening of the same day. On Thursday 15 November 2001 evening, the Pope received His Excellency Mr Hammud Omar Tarrum the ambassador of Eritrea in Egypt with Mr Dragon the delegate of the President who accompanied HH Abune Philippos throughout his journey to Egypt. The ambassador relayed a message of congratulation from President Isaias Afeurky of Eritrea to HH Pope Shenouda for the occasion of his 30th enthronement anniversary. Pope Shenouda received a letter from Revd Mounir Hanna Anis Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Egypt and Africa. The letter informed HH that the Executive Council of the Anglican church gathered on Tuesday 4 September 2001 headed by Revd Mounir and took the decision of closing its affiliation to the Evangelical denomination and Evangelical Congregational Council for dogmatic, historical and geographical considerations. Therefore, the Anglican Church in Egypt shall return to its status before 1981 as independent church not under the umbrella of any other church or denomination. We learned from both Fr Morcos Khella and Fr Raphael Iskander the priests of St George Church in Sydney that HG Bishop Suriel laid the foundation stone for the extension of the church. The extension include a suspended hall to be used for the liturgy in English and a new Service Building inclduing a kindergarten, Sunday School, Holy Bread Bakery, Cafeteria, Computer Lab, Library and Youth activities. On Wednesday 7 November 2001, Heg Ezekiel Wahba departed from our vanishing world after 38 years of priesthood. For many years he ministered in Sudan, yet this man had a remarkable ministry to people leaving their Orthodox faith. He was member twice in the State Council of the Governorate of Cairo. On Thursday 8 November 2001, the funeral was led by Bishops Matthaus, Moussa, Boutros, Pisenti, Joannes, Serapamon (Sudan), Raphael, Georgius, Elijah, Apollo and Martiros along with some 100 priests. The funeral was held at Virgin Mary Church (Mahmasha). We pray for the rest of his soul in the paradise of joy and relay our condolences to his family, people and friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------