Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Reflection from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, following the departure of His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta, of
blessed memory.
3 October
2018
Today we mourn the loss, while celebrating the life, of a father,
shepherd and teacher of the Coptic Orthodox Church. His Eminence Metropolitan
Bishoy of Damietta, of blessed memory, faithfully served the Church internally,
through his diocese, as General Secretary of the Holy Synod and as Convenor of
the Clerical Council. I have personally seen his engagement with the clergy and
laity of his diocese, and so I know that today, they will be mourning the loss
of a gentle, loving and beloved father.
Externally, Metropolitan Bishoy has also served through his
chairing, membership of, and contribution to, a variety of theological
dialogues and consultations over the past forty five years.
His Eminence has also served the wider Church of God by being a
pivotal point of engagement at so many levels, through the World Council of
Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, and numerous ecumenical bodies
and initiatives.
Having had the blessing and honour of serving alongside the late
Metropolitan Bishoy, both as a member of the Holy Synod and in numerous
ecumenical dialogues and bodies, I have come to learn from and respect the
commitment, passion, dedication, and attention to detail that many will know
him for.
My most recent encounter with Metropolitan Bishoy was only a few
days ago in Holy Etchmiadzin, as he signed, on behalf of the Family of Oriental
Orthodox Churches, a historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Eastern
and Oriental Orthodox Churches and the United Bible Societies. As his last official
act only forty-eight hours before his passing, this demonstrated the fruits of
tireless work that has spanned over a decade. Having spent much time in
conversation with him during that trip, partly in preparation for the upcoming
annual meeting of the Anglican Oriental-Orthodox International Commission, I
know that he will be greatly missed by the Commission, as a founder member and
co-Chair, and as a friend and colleague to all who have served on it since its
inception.
Within just hours of the news of his passing, I have received
countless messages of condolence, which is indicative of the breadth and depth
of his engagement with ecumenical partners over decades around the world.
We pray repose for his soul, and comfort for his diocese and the
many thousands of his ecumenical friends and colleagues around the world who
will dearly miss him.
