Coptic Orthodox
Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Reflection by His Eminence
Archbishop Angaelos,
Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, following the fire in Abu Sefein Church,
Imbaba, Egypt
15 August 2022
It is with great sadness that we received news
yesterday of the tragic loss of life caused by a fire in the Coptic Orthodox Church
of Abu Sefein in Imbaba, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. To-date 41 precious
lives, many of whom are children, have been lost, and scores of people remain
injured. What is even more tragic, is that due to the nature of Liturgical
attendance, many of these fatalities and injuries were multi-generational, with
families mourning numerous members.
As many bury their loved ones today, and others
support survivors in hospitals and at home, we pray repose for those who have
sadly departed, comfort for those who mourn them, healing for those who will
bear the physical and emotional scars, and support for the families and communities
that will continue to recover from this tragedy over the coming weeks, months and
even years.
While much is being said about the cause of the
fire, and the response time of emergency services, this must be left to what we
hope and expect will be a robust and transparent investigation. For now, we focus
on those most in need of our care and attention.
I am so touched by the outpouring of support
that I personally, as well as many of my colleagues, have received from friends
and acquaintances across Britain and around the world. Their gracious care, and
the assurance of their thoughts and prayers, will be a source of great strength
and support for our sisters and brothers in Imbaba and around the world.
Two bittersweet realities arise from this
tragedy. The first is that Churches in Egypt are filled by the faithful on a
regular basis, and so when tragedy strikes it strikes at a high cost, and at
the heart of the community. The second is that tragedy creates a platform for
us to recognise and value one another while experiencing each other’s pain and comforting
one another through our suffering.
These tragic moments inevitably lead people from
all walks of life to empathise with the suffering of mothers and fathers who
weep for their children, children who have lost parents, families who have been
torn apart, and friends separated. It is in that shared experience that we find
hope in our common humanity, and ability to understand, grieve with, respect
and value one another and the sanctity of life that we all share.
*Ends*
The names of those who have departed:
Ereny Atef Ramzy
Magda Nabih Habib
Demiana Zakaria Zaki
Mariam Tamer Wagih
Parsina Tamer Wagih
Abraam Tamer Wagih
Mina Saleh Fakher
Father Abd El Messiah Bekhiet
Mirna Atef Ramzy
Adel Agib Ayoub
Nadia Said Botros
Mahriel Bassem Amen
Youssef Bassem Amen
Philopater Bassem Amen
Mary Naim Amer
Kirollos Ramy Arian
Mina Ashraf Azmy
Farg Kamal Farg
Romany Ezzat Gad
Kirollos Nour Ataa
Ereny Refaat
Millionare Refaat
Nady Edward
Mary Edward
Jomana Edward
Elaria Ashraf
Samia Ishak
Kirollos Saber
Bishoy Saber
Marista Saleh
Mirna Moussa
Basta Ebied
Shenouda Dandash
Abd El Malak Hanna
Rania Lamie
Zakaria Mounir
Nawal Haleeb
Arzak Abdou
Nadine Fayed Zakaria
Dawood Farah
Nady Ishak
