Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Historic service at Westminster Abbey,
attended by HRH The Prince of Wales, to celebrate the contribution of
Christians in the Middle East
5 December 2018
On 4 December
2018, a historic service in Westminster Abbey, attended by His Royal Highness The Prince of
Wales, was held to celebrate the contribution of Christians in the Middle East.
The choir of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London commenced the service with
an introit, singing the Coptic processional hymn ‘O King of Peace’; the choir
of the Syriac Orthodox Church also contributed to the service. Overall the
event aimed to offer both celebration of, and encouragement to, the Christian
communities of the Middle East in light of ongoing challenges and persecution
faced by Christians in the region.
In the various
addresses, prayers and reflections, the experience and challenges of suffering,
and the expression of endurance and hope were highlighted, as well as the
acknowledgement of the positive contributions that Christians, as indigenous
peoples, offer their communities throughout the region.
At the beginning
of the service, in his reflection, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales said:
“In recent years, I have had the great
privilege of meeting so many Christians who, with such inspiring faith and
courage, are battling oppression and persecution, or who have fled to escape
it.”
Addressing
representatives of Middle East Churches, His Royal Highness went on to say:
“Forgiveness, as
many of you know far better than I, is not a passive act, or submission.
Rather, it is an act of supreme courage; of a refusal to be defined by the sin
against you; of determination that love will triumph over hate.”
The Prince of
Wales went on to say:
“So, in coming
together today, we can only give thanks for the truly remarkable strength of
the Faith with which so many Christians face persecution, and which gives them
the courage and the determination to endure, and to overcome.”
In conclusion, His Royal Highness said:
“So in this season of Advent, as we
celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself knew exile, injustice
and suffering, I can only assure you of our steadfast support and most
heartfelt prayers as you take forward your works of restoration, justice and
healing, so that God’s will might be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
In his address, and in speaking of the witness of Christians in the Middle
East, the Most Reverend Archbishop Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury
said:
“When the church
of Jesus Christ is attacked, it is an attack on Christ Himself. When any part
of the church suffers, we also suffer, and yet distance and ignorance take away
the pain we should feel.”
“For suffering,
and especially persecution, is something that isolates. Those outside its
experience cannot say “I know how you feel" because they don't.”
The Archbishop
went on to say:
“One thinks of
the martyrs on the beach in Libya, of those countless killed in Iraq and Syria, of the
faithfulness of Christians in parts of the region that are secure and stable,
who have maintained their worship, welcomed their refugee brothers and sisters
in Christ, for example in Jordan and Lebanon, and thus shone a light around the
world.”
The Archbishop
concluded by saying:
“And if our
relationship to those brothers and sisters is genuine, then we must in this
service commit ourselves not to rest until in obedience we build bridges to
those who are isolated by suffering.”
Following the
event, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London,
who contributed to the prayers during the service, said:
“Seeing
Westminster Abbey filled with so many who came to recognise and pray for
Christians in the Middle East was truly inspiring. The event was prayerful
while also very honest in its description of both the plight and gracious
contribution of Christians in the region.
I am so thankful
that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, has taken the interest and time
to give this matter the priority it so crucially deserves at a time when many
thousands are suffering displacement, persecution, and some even the tragic
loss of loved ones. I am also thankful to Westminster Abbey and its Dean and
Chapter for so generously hosting this event and for giving our Coptic Orthodox
Choir and Clergy the honour of taking part in such a historic moment in
time.”
His Eminence
concluded by saying:
“It is only when
we all come together as Churches, organisations, governments, and so many other
interested parties, that we can provide tangible and holistic solutions to the
immense challenges encountered by many of our Christian sisters and brothers on
a daily basis. Core to this, is also keeping this matter alive and relevant in
the eyes, hearts and minds of our global community. We pray, as we continue to
come together for those who struggle and suffer, that they are comforted and
supported by the grace of God and by our collective interest and action in and
for them as individuals and communities.”
The service was
officiated by The Dean of Westminster, and attended by representatives of a
number of Middle East Churches, as well as Church leaders from the United
Kingdom. Over 1000 people were in attendance, and along with members of the
public were congregation members from churches of the Middle East across the
United Kingdom whose communities His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has
visited in recent years. In December 2013, HRH The Prince of Wales commenced
his visits to Middle East Churches based in the United Kingdom, with a visit to The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Hertfordshire.
*Ends*
For photographs
and videos please visit www.Flickr.com/CopticMedia
For other press
releases and statement from Archbishop Angaelos, visit www.CopticMediaUK.com
