Royal Mail unveils their 2013 Christmas stamp collection featuring a Coptic Nativity icon by Hertfordshire-based iconographer Fadi Mikhail.

Press Release

For immediate use

29 November 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

Royal Mail unveils their 2013 Christmas stamp collection featuring a Coptic Nativity icon by Hertfordshire-based iconographer Fadi Mikhail.

The stamp, entitled ‘Theotokos, Mother of God’ depicts the Virgin Saint Mary embracing the Infant Christ. It is an example of the beauty and deeply rooted Faith and culture of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East which traces its roots back to the Apostle Mark in the first Century.

Since its establishment in the United Kingdom in the 1960s the Coptic Orthodox community has been increasing in size, and more recently in activity. The Coptic faithful in the United Kingdom are active members of society who contribute to their wider community through a variety of spiritual and social networks and programmes.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, said:

“This is an opportunity to not only portray the beautiful iconographic heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church within British culture, but also its theology and teaching with respect to the message of hope and salvation in the Nativity, a Feast that is often transformed into a purely commercial occasion. It also lives as a testimony to the resilience of the Copts, who continue to live their Faith in the birthplace of Christianity and across the world despite the many challenges they have faced in recent months and years.”

Fadi Mikhail, an active youth member of The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre said:

“Coptic iconography was redeveloped in the 1960s and has enjoyed increased international interest since that time. I'm happy that this stamp is helping to elevate that status. Whether it is through art, music, language, or the reconstruction of churches, there is a movement both within and outside Egypt in which Copts are rebuilding themselves for the future, and I see Coptic iconography as a key factor in heralding this movement forward.”

Along with this historic stamp, an icon from the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St George depicting St Mary and the Child Jesus, also written by Fadi Mikhail, has been chosen by Christians Aware as part of their Christmas card collection for 2013.

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Resources:

Coptic Iconography in the United Kingdom: www.UKCopticIcons.com

Royal Mail Christmas collection 2013 here

Press Release: UK Coptic community sends aid to the Philippines

Press Release

For immediate use

28 November 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the Chain of Hope Charity and humanitarian organisations, sent emergency supplies to the Philippines.

Following a Liturgical service in the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St George on Sunday 24 November 2013, members of the congregation gathered to package emergency supplies to send to the Philippines. The supplies were sent in aid of those suffering the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan which claimed the lives of over 5,200 people with 1,600 still believed to be missing, 1.9 million left homeless, and over 600,000 displaced with little to no resources.

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre initiated this appeal and worked in conjunction with the Chain of Hope Charity and humanitarian organisations both in the United Kingdom and the Philippines, to provide aid consisting of medical equipment and dry food supplies, to some of the most severely affected communities in the region.

This came after His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, spoke in his Sunday sermon of the responsibility for all to bring hope to those who need reassurance of the presence of God in the world, especially during difficult times, further saying:

“We are called, as ambassadors and stewards of God, to excel in whatever God has entrusted us with for the benefit of others. This small gesture to send supplies to those in the Philippines is an act of worship that can witness and testify to the love of God for all His children who are suffering in the world today.”

Lisa Yacoub, Programme Manager for the UK-based charity, Chain of Hope said:

“Supplies of medical donations from St Thomas Hospital Haemophilia Reference Centre which had been donated to the Chain of Hope were packaged at The Coptic Centre for donation to the typhoon-struck regions of the Philippines. The generosity and good will of the congregation was very inspiring to see. These boxes of medical supplies composed of blood giving sets, butterfly needles, syringes, alcohol wipes, bandages, and boxes of non-perishable foods will be sent out to the Philippines by Aviation without Borders this month for distribution to the affected areas.”

This is one of a number of initiatives undertaken by the Coptic Orthodox community in the United Kingdom in response to social and humanitarian needs, both within Britain and internationally.

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Resources:

www.CopticCentre.com

www.ChainOfHope.org

www.AviationWithoutBorders.org

Press Release: HH Pope Tawadros II consecrates bishops at The Grand Cathedral of St Mark, Cairo

Press Release

For immediate use

17 November 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office 

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118^th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark, consecrated bishops to new responsibilities at the Grand Cathedral of St Mark on the weekend of 16 -17 November 2013.

At a Vespers service on the evening of Saturday 16 November, His Grace Bishop David was enthroned over the new diocese of New York and New England in the United States of America, and His Grace Bishop Selwanis was appointed abbot over the historic monastery of St Pakhomious near Luxor. At the Liturgical service on Sunday 17 November, Father Seraphim Al-Moharaqy was also consecrated as General Bishop for the diocese of Al Mahalah.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom and a member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who took part in the consecration prayers at the ceremony in Cairo said:

“I celebrate with, and congratulate, my brothers on the occasion of their ordination. The consecration of a bishop to oversee Al Mahalah at the same time as the establishment of the new diocese of New York and New England signifies the breadth of the ministry of the Coptic Orthodox Church and its care for its children both in Egypt and around the world. At the same time, the appointment of His Grace Bishop Selwanis illustrates the continuing importance of the monastic life at the heart of the Church.

The spirit of the faithful as they received the bishops in the Grand Cathedral today was one of jubilation and love; a testament to their resilience and strength of character as they continue to be strong in their Faith despite the challenges faced in past months. I pray for my brothers the bishops and those entrusted to their care, that God may continue to bless their shared ministry from this time on.”

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Press Release: His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan was received by His Grace Bishop Angaelos during a historic visit and interfaith gathering at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre on 13 November 2013.

Press Release
For immediate use
14 November 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

 

 Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

 

 

 His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan was received by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, during a historic visit and interfaith gathering at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre on 13 November 2013.

This visit facilitated a gathering of guests from a variety of faith backgrounds who met in the Cathedral of St George to listen and respond to addresses by Bishop Angaelos and Prince Hassan on the subject of interreligious dialogue and cooperation at an interreligious level.

In welcoming Prince Hassan, Bishop Angaelos, a Scholar-Consultant on the Christian Muslim Forum of England and Moderator of the Churches' Inter Religious Network, said:

“Having recently celebrated Armistice Day, as the end of war and celebration of all those who gave their lives, the words ‘Lest we forget’ should also be applied to heroes of faith and inclusion. We are a reality in each other’s lives and reconciliation is our only way ahead, both in the Middle East and around the world.

I believe that faith and advocacy are inseparable; a faith that does not advocate is not a Godly faith. This is why we are here with the Cathedral of St George as our backdrop. The altar is the place of our greatest worship and what we are doing here is part of that worship, to be able to integrate our belief with our daily witness in our lives.”

His Royal Highness, who is President of the Foundation for Inter-religious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, spoke in his address of the need for a strategy to stabilise the Middle East, further indicating the need for a process leading to free and responsible Arab citizenship. Following the address, His Royal Highness answered a variety of questions relating to the rapid decline in the number of Christians in the Middle East and the course of action required to address the increasing challenges facing various faith communities in the region.

During a presentation ceremony following the address, Bishop Angaelos presented His Royal Highness with the gift of a traditional Coptic Orthodox icon of Saint George, after which guests were able to further their conversations during an informal reception.

Resulting from the day’s events was a shared desire to engage more at an interreligious level with the furthered prospect of addressing the state of Christians in the Middle East and the challenges they face.

Among the guests were the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Chief Inspector Richard Harbon, The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland MP, as well as representatives of Churches Together in England, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the Awareness Foundation, and the Muslim Christian Forum. Also in attendance were members of clergy and community of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and representatives from the broad spectrum of the Christian Church and the Muslim and Baha’i communities in the United Kingdom.