Keraza Nos 5, 6 - Dated Friday 1st February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Memory Eternal Bishop Karas, abbot of St Anthony Monastery in California ------------------------------------------------------------------ In the dawn of Thursday 17th January 2002, the gentle and kind bishop beloved by all departed. Bishop Karas the abbot of St Anthony Monastery in California departed after a long struggle with cancer that began in the lungs and extended to reach the bones till it reached the skull among many other parts of his body. For four years, he did endure the pain with great patience. He was first rushed to hospital and remained under treatment at the City of Hope Clinic in Los Angeles. Physicians expected his death within 6 months and were stunned that his life prolonged throughout those years. They wondered how he fasted and celebrated liturgies that sometimes lasted for 3 hours. They called it a miracle. A physician told him one day that he carries a heavy cross, yet carried it with him and made it light. The Pope visited him several times as well as his confession father bishop Serapamon and many other church fathers and people who loved him much. Many people indeed were inspired by his simplicity, smiling face, tenderness and gentleness. Others were impressed by his ministry in the monastery where he constructed buildings, monk cells, retreat house and planted a small press to publish a newsletter. In addition to the incurable illness he had, he was hit by a cerebrum thrombus to enter into a partial and then complete coma. Many people rushed to hospital to be beside him amongst was his brother in flesh Fr Suriel priest of St George and St Shenouda in Jersey City. At the end, his flesh rested in peace from pains that he endured for long. His departure had an echo of sorrow not only through the USA but in all immigration countries and among many people that loved him much. On Sunday 20 January 2002 evening, his body was set at t Mark Church LA that people might pay a last farewell. On Monday 21st January morning, the funeral was officiated by Bishops Serapion, Macarius the Eritrean, Yohanna, Youssef, Maximos and David along with a number of priests. He was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery temporarily till a cemetery would be constructed at St Anthony's monastery and required official arrangements would take place that his body would be beside his sons the monks and the faithful. May the Lord grant rest to his soul in the paradise of joy and grant condolence to everybody who knew him. Our condolence also to his monastery and family. His departure is indeed a great loss for this land where he lived. Yet we are assured that his prayers would accompany us all. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Important dates of the late Bishop Karas ------------------------------------------------------------------ Born: 18 January 1955 Monk: 14 November 1981 and became responsible for the Papal Residence at St Bishoy Monastery Ordained priest: 14 July 1984 Promoted hegumen: 25 May 1989 and flew to the USA Episcopate consecration: 6 June 1993 Departure: 17 January 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Farewell of the late Bishop Karas Faxed from USA by Bishop David ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Monday 21 January 2002 morning, Bishop Youssef celebrated the liturgy along with Bishops Serapion and David. Escorted by some 25 Coptic priest, the latter had flew from NJ to attend the funeral. At 11:00 after the liturgy, the six bishops officiated the funeral prayers. Many church representatives and people who knew the late Bihop Karas. Amongst were Metropolitan Mor Yudjin Kaplan, Fr Joseph Tarzy, Monk Abjer Bahku of the Syrian Orthodox from St Ephrem Cathedral. From the Greek Catholic Resurection Monastery, Abbot Nicholas came accompanied by monk Maximos, Moussa and Bassili. From the church of Antioch, Fr Boules represented Bishop Joseph Zahlawy. From the Armenian Orthodox, Fr Khoren Babouchian represented Bishop Maushegh Nardirossian. And from the Coptic Orthodox church many fathers were present from California cities: San Francisco, San Jose and Concord as well as Arizona, Detroit, New Jersey, New York, Brooklyn, West Chattier, Bayon. And from Canada: Toronto, Hamilton and York and Brighton UK. Bishop Serapion spoke on behalf of Pope Shenouda. He mentioned that HH couldn't be there in person for special reasons, yet he had a long relation to the late Bishop Karas who ministered at the Papal Residence at St Bishoy Monastery and was sent with other monks to revive monastic life at St Anthony Monastery in California. Bishop Serapion mentioned his many virtues and how he endured pain for more than 3 years. Then Metropolitan Yudjin (Syrian Orthodox) expressed his sorrow for the departure of one of our Lord's servants and said that the Coptic and Syrian churches are sister churches. Ad their pains are also ours. He presented condolences on behalf of his church. Then Bishop Youssef talked about the virtues of simplicity, humility and love that characterised the late bishop Karas. And despite the illness unbearable pains, his tender smile never separated his face. He also mentioned that his prayers were listened by our Lord and said that he (bishop Youssef) experienced its power. Then Bishop David spoke saying that we are strangers in this world and our real home is heaven. At last, Fr Moussa St-Anthony read some spiritual monastic words written by the late Bishop Karas. The sarcophagus where laid the body was processed through the apse of the church while deacons chanted requiem Coptic Hymns. The party drove to the Holy Cross Cemetery where the box and roses went down in the earth among hymns. This was attended by hundreds and may be more than a thousand person who knew Bishop Karas and loved him much. Coptic hymns and readings were chanted in joyful tunes as it was the second day of Epiphany and the Feast of Cana of Galilee. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Miscellaneous News ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Monday 14 January 2002, Pope Shenouda received a delegation from the British Parliament. Namely Lord Patel of Black Burn, Lord Bhatia, Mr Khalid Mahmoud MP, Mr Bashir Khanbai MEP and Mr Mahmoud Riaz. They were accompanied by Mr John Sawers the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Egypt. The meeting was attended by Bishops Ruweis and Joannes. On Monday 21 January 2002 evening, Pope Shenouda received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Egypt. He told him about the results of the meeting recently held in Alexandria by the Arshbishop of Canterbury concerning the status in Jerusalem. The Pope discussed with the Ambassador the declaration that was issued upon this meeting. On Wednesday 16 January 2002 morning, Pope Shenouda received Mr Androna Stios the president of USAID. The meeting was attended by Mr David Wilsh the US Ambassador to Cairo, Mr Williard J. Pearson the head of the USAID in Cairo and Bishop Joannes. On Tuesday 22 January 2002, Pope Shenouda received an official delegation from Iraq. They talked about the current crisis endured by Iraqi people under siege. They described the influence of the siege in the death of many especially children due to lack of food and medicine. On Thursday 10 January 2002 morning, Pope Shenouda received Heg Bishoy El-Moharaky who reported to HH concerning the pastoral work in the region of the New Valley and its needs in the Kharga, Dakhla and Farafra Oasis in the New Valley. From the staff of the Theological Seminary in Cairo, Pope Shenouda received Deacon Morgan Nashed Morgan. This latter is currently preparing his Theology Ph.D. in Greece under the Title "Major Subjects in the Gospel of Matthew between St John Chrisostom, the Coptic writer Samaan Bin Kalil and others". His supervisor is the renown professor Joannes Carafdopolos Head of the New Testament Departement at the Theology College - Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. On Wednesday 16 January 2002 morning, Pope Shenouda received Dr Jakie who is a member of the Coptic church in Nicosia Cyprus. She is a painter and iconographer that graduated from the HICS Higher Institute of Coptic Studies - Arts Department. She offered HH with a photo album about our church in Nicosia and suggested that the church buys the adjacent land to develop spiritual activities for the people and the Pope promised to do so. ------------------------------------------------------------------