Coptic Orthodox Church
UK
Media and
Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church
(Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Historic prayers at St Paul’s
Cathedral for victims of religious persecution on the same day that Bishop
Angaelos receives an OBE for ‘Services to International Religious Freedom’
19 October 2015
The Coptic Orthodox Church held an
unprecedented prayer service in the Order of the British Empire Chapel in St
Paul’s Cathedral, following an evensong service on Friday 16 October 2015 dedicated
to victims of religious persecution and refugees suffering as a result of
conflict in the Middle East.
Evensong was led by The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, and
attended by The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, and
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the
United Kingdom. Also attending the service were a number of ecumenical,
diplomatic and official guests, alongside members of the Coptic community in
London.
Following evensong, a Coptic Orthodox service
of prayer was led by Bishop Angaelos in the Order of the British Empire Chapel for
victims of religious persecution around the world. Prayers were again offered
for refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East.
At the
start of the prayer service the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral gave a welcome
address, in which he said:
“You are very welcome
to be here on this day as Bishop Angaelos has received the award of the Order
of the British Empire and is now with us in this joyful yet solemn occasion,
doing what his award is for; promoting religious freedom. Although it is a day
of joy for us, it is also a day of sadness in that there are many in the world
who do not have religious freedom, and the work continues.”
In his message, Bishop Angaelos
said:
“I am
thankful for the wonderful and gracious hospitality we have received, in being
able to use this great Cathedral, this place of prayer, and the cornerstone of
life in London and in Britain, to celebrate both evensong with the Church of England
and to pray the Coptic Rite together in this Chapel for the first time. There
is no greater representation of love, fellowship, companionship and a single
journey that we all travel together in this great Nation, as the Body of
Christ.”
“Being
here and praying for those who are still victims of religious persecution is
bitter sweet, because it is a shame that we still need to. We must continue to
pray for all who suffer, as this tragic situation is still a reality, not only
for Christians, but for many around the world in numerous countries.”
“We pray
for those living hardship and persecution, and those seeking refuge, as well as
those who are accepting them so graciously…We must be appreciative of the hospitality
currently offered, even if we continue to strive in extending this hospitality
further.”
The prayers
at St Paul’s Cathedral were offered on the same day that Bishop Angaelos was
formally invested as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British
Empire for ‘Services to International Religious Freedom’ by Her Majesty The
Queen at Windsor Castle.
After the prayer service, The Bishop of London said:
“The
Order has been one that recognises outstanding contributions, excellence and
achievement in all sorts of fields…it is a particular honour that now we have
as a most distinguished member of the Order, Bishop Angaelos.”
He went on to thank Bishop Angaelos for:
“…his
immense work…to bring together not only Christians, but people of all faiths in
this Country.”
Baroness Berridge, Co-chair of the All
Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, said:
“His
Grace has been a very keen supporter of the work that we are doing in
parliament, and an amazing support to those of us who are standing up for
religious freedom, and he has also introduced us to the wider community.”
*Ends*
Any publication wishing to use the photograph of HM The Queen and HG Bishop Angaelos must contact:
Resources
regarding HG Bishop Angaelos on international religious freedom:
