Thursday, 17 October 2024

Messages received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

 

Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church
United Kingdom


Press Release and Report

Messages received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey


17 October 2024

Messages for His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, and the Coptic Orthodox Community, were received from His Majesty King Charles III, the Most Reverend Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, His Holiness Pope Francis, and The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister, as the 12th anniversary of the annual Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) Service was held in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey on 15 October 2024.

The annual service officially marks the beginning of the Coptic New Year, which is celebrated annually in the Coptic calendar on 11 September. The event serves to celebrate new beginnings and life, while commemorating the saints and martyrs of the Coptic Orthodox Church who, since the first century, lost their lives for remaining steadfast in their Faith. The commemoration also allows the Coptic Orthodox community to use its heritage of experience with religious persecution to advocate for people of all faiths and none, through Refcemi, its advocacy and public policy office, and to raise awareness of the plight of so many across the world who suffer violations of religious freedom.

A welcome was given by The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster, on behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, followed by a prayerful vespers service which included a sermon from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos. The vespers service was followed by addresses that touched on the importance of faith and defending religious freedom worldwide. Addresses were given by The Lord Speaker, Dr Ewelina Ochab, Deputy Director of Refcemi, Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, Mervyn Thomas CMG, Founder and President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Chair of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum, The Lord Alton of Liverpool, and The Lord Khan of Burnley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith, who also read the Prime Minister’s message.

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, said the following in his welcome:

“Your presence and this service stand as a witness to the way in which the whole Body of Christ seeks to work together and uncover that unity and that showing forth in the world of the light of Christ, even though in times and in many parts of the world there are the shadows of darkness. The martyrs of the 20th century are immortalised on the West face of Westminster Abbey, and of course, as we gather here, we remember those of the 21st century, not least those martyred in Libya from the Coptic Church.”

In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Founder and Director of Refcemi, drew parallels between the advocacy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the calling to all to advocate for one another, saying:

We are all as individuals called to change the world. We need to walk away from the culture that breeds self-indulgence, self-interest, and self-focus so that we become those who can then consider one another, empathise and advocate for one another as we are all bearers of the image and likeness of God."

“The Incarnate Word, God in flesh feels our pain. He instructs us to feel one another's pain. He instructs us to put others before ourselves, because that is indeed what God has done for us in the Incarnation; and that is what we are called to do.”

“Today is also a celebration of something that is incredibly important, it is a transformation of pain to power, because when we look at our own pain, when we feel it, when we understand it and we channel that pain into ensuring that others do not feel it, then we start to heal. If we dwell in our own pain, if we continue to thrive on that feeling of victimhood then we are disempowered, we are weakened and we become insulated to the pain and suffering of others.”

His Eminence concluded by speaking about the advocacy work of Refcemi:

“We out of our pain, advocate for others. Through our advocacy office Refcemi, we speak for the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Uyghurs in China, the Yazidis in Iraq, the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan, the Baha’is in Iran, Christians in Nigeria and North Korea and around the world. That is not an exhaustive list because there is much that we must do. We must indeed acknowledge our own pain, and by acknowledging it, we must be able to feel the pain of others and try to relieve it.”

“We must speak, we must act, we must be those, as we heard from today's Gospel, who do all that we have been instructed to do. To preach a gospel of hope, to heal the broken heartedness of war and conflict, to proclaim liberty to those who are captives of that same war and that same conflict, to pray sight upon those who may be blinded by power and injustice and self-interest. To advocate liberty for every person as long as they are respecting the liberty of others, and to bring forth a light of hope and joy.”

The message of His Majesty King Charles III to His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos and the Coptic Orthodox Church community for the occasion read:

“On this day of reflection, I wish to express my heartfelt admiration for the strength and solidarity of your community. The spirit of forgiveness and the enduring values of humanity that you uphold serve as a shining example to us all, reminding us of the vital importance of unity and partnership.

As you look ahead to the coming year, I extend my most sincere hopes that it will be filled with peace, hope, and blessings for all present, as well as for the Coptic Orthodox Church community here in Britain and across the world.”

In his message, Archbishop Justin said:

“I pray that the Lord will continue to pour out his blessings on you and your Church. Yours is an ancient Christian tradition which has endured much suffering over the years, and yet has survived and thrived, even in the most difficult of circumstances, and in the very different conditions of migration and diaspora. What a witness you and your people are to the enduring love of God!”

His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio presented the message from His Holiness Pope Francis, which read:

“His Holiness Pope Francis, informed of the Service Commemorating the Coptic Feast of Nayrouz to take place at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, on Tuesday 15th October 2024, sends his greetings of good wishes to all gathered for this occasion, remembering as he recently remarked, that “the true driving force [of Christian Unity] is the Holy Spirit Who guides us toward greater communion…This unity is a gift whose timing and manner we cannot foresee and grows through the mutual service through the dialogue of life and through the cooperation of all Christians”. The Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic blessing to all participating in the Service and, through the intercession of the Mother of God, invokes an abundance of Divine graces.”

 The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister included the following in his message to His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos:

“I am grateful for the faithful witness and constant compassion of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom. Your congregations pursue social justice, care for the vulnerable and enrich their local communities in so many ways. I am particularly thankful for the role of the Coptic Orthodox Church in promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief. I recognise that the history of your community has been marked by terrible persecution and applaud your constant efforts to reduce the numbers of people around the world who suffer similar oppression today, as a result of their religious affiliations or personal beliefs.”


Dr Ewelina Ochab spoke of the work of Refcemi in advocating for people suffering gross violations of their religious freedom, saying:

“The Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy was established out of a need to accommodate difficult conversations, and out of a need for cooperation and collaboration. The need to listen, speak and impact. Refcemi does this work with partners around the world, not only here in the UK with the UK FoRB Forum among other partners, but across the world.”

The Lord Speaker said the following in his heartfelt address:

“We cannot come together and celebrate this new year in this festival of Nayrouz without recalling the earliest days of the Coptic Church. In AD 284 in the time of Emperor Diocletian, Christians were persecuted. They suffered for their Faith but today we recall that their sacrifice made the Coptic community possible. They are honoured and remembered because of their faith in God and their belief in redemption.”

“In parliament we count among our numbers many great figures of all religions who have strived to end religious persecution. It is Faith itself which brings them together and allows them to do such crucial work. So let us resolve in this new Coptic year to be guided by such examples. To care for all humanity, to debate with grace and humility, to always love one another and to pursue justice without fear.”


Henrietta Blyth spoke about the National Week of Prayer that takes place from 12-20th October 2024 across the Nation, and called people to gather to pray for those suffering across the world, saying:

“We can give in practical ways. As the Archbishop has said, we can speak out on behalf of our brothers and sisters who cannot speak out for themselves, but perhaps most importantly, we can pray. Brother Andrew, who was the founder of Open Doors who died a couple of years ago, said that prayer is the real battle. He said our prayers can go where we cannot. There are no borders, no prison walls, no doors closed to us when we pray. That's why it is such a delight that this year, this Nayrouz service forms part of the National Week of Prayer.”


Mervyn Thomas CMG in his address said:

“The list of challenges across the world which threaten freedom of religion or belief is long and of course there's a role for governments. There's a role for parliamentarians, but there's also a role for civil society and I believe all three of those groups need one another in the fight for freedom of religion or belief around the world. 

Across the world, civil society actors such as human rights defenders, journalists, religious leaders, activists, NGO's and community leaders are using civic space to champion initiatives that strengthen freedom of religion or belief and challenge violations of this fundamental right.”

The Lord Alton of Liverpool spoke in detail in his address regarding known violations worldwide, and called for more action, saying:

“Tragically, as we've been hearing from Mervyn, Henrietta and Ewelina, all over the world there continues to be no shortage of men and women whose blood continues to be spilled because of their faith. I've seen recent analysis which found that there are currently 61 countries with combined populations of over 4.9 billion people in which severe violations of religious freedom exist.”

He concluded by saying:

“So this Nayrouz, I hope we will make a New Year's resolution to listen far more carefully to communities like the Copts, the Chaldeans, and the Armenians, the Assyrians and others who have paid such a high price for the things that we take for granted, and have so much to teach us. We must listen but we must also speak and act in solidarity. Those words of His Eminence this evening ‘we are all called to change the world’ should be the words that we take away from this Nayrouz ceremony.”

The Lord Khan of Burnley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith said the following in his address:

“This evening celebrates the British Coptic community and recognises their efforts to aid those experiencing hardship around the world as well as your longstanding commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in UK society. These acts of kindness and generosity embody the values we should all strive for. The Coptic community is a blessing to the UK society, and we welcome your contribution to our local and national life. As the new year begins, we embrace a fresh start, look ahead with hope and express gratitude for our families, friends, and life’s simple blessings, including the freedom to worship and practise beliefs without fear, rights denied to millions worldwide. I pay tribute to the Church and to you, Your Eminence, for your passionate advocacy for persecuted minorities and global religious freedom.”

He went on to say:

“Faith and belief must remain central to our national conversation as we confront these challenges together. Faith identity is crucial for many, and understanding this aspect of individual and community life is essential for effective governance and fostering cohesion. I see much of my role as Faith Minister as championing the invaluable work being done by people across the country who are inspired by their faith.”

At the end of the service, and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos was presented with a gift of a Coptic icon depicting the Prophet Nehemiah written by Coptic Iconographer Fadi Mikhail. During the presentation, Fr Shenouda Asham, the Diocesan Vicar, thanked His Eminence on behalf of the whole diocese for his tireless ministry to the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom and around the world, and also made mentioned of his efforts in championing the cause of religious freedom for people of all faiths and none.

In his final word of thanks Archbishop Angaelos made special mention of the Diocesan Choir who beautifully chanted ancient melodies in Coptic and English during the service, and of the wonderfully dedicated stewards and volunteers who contributed to the welcoming atmosphere and success of the evening.

Reflecting the tapestry of cultural heritage in the United Kingdom, attendees to this year’s Nayrouz service included Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, ecumenical and interreligious guests, as well as members of the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community in the United Kingdom.


*Ends*


Resources

Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy www.Refcemi.org

Audio will be made available via www.Soundcloud.com/ArchbishopAngaelos

Press Releases and Statements can be found via www.CopticMediaUK.com

Archbishop Angaelos on X @BishopAngaelos

 

Sunday, 28 July 2024

Statement: His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London on the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics 2024

 

Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church
United Kingdom
 





STATEMENT
His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE,

Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom
on the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024


28 July 2024

Like many, I was looking forward to the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympic Games hosted by Paris, expecting a unifying moment that could bring us together in a way that transcends the conflict, polarisation, geopolitical posturing and war that has gripped the world. I was saddened however by what appeared, and is now globally perceived to be, a parody and blatant derision of the Last Supper during the opening ceremony. I have taken time to reflect and have allowed time for the International Olympic Committee or the National Olympic Committee to provide clarification. It has been forty-eight hours since the ceremony and there has been no adequate response.

If it was not the intention of the organisers to depict the Last Supper, and it was indeed meant to represent the Feast of Dionysius as is being alluded to by some, then why has there not been an official clarification of what was intended, and why is there no apparent concern on behalf of the organisers in light of the global response and offence felt and expressed by so many around the world? The only responses to date have been to refer to France’s rights regarding freedom to worship and to not worship, which does not address the offence caused by the misrepresentation of a beautiful moment in history and one that is core to the Christian Faith.

Inclusivity, diversity, and freedom of belief and the right not to believe are not protected or advanced by such disrespect to millions globally.

At a time when we are working globally to protect the freedom of religion or belief for all, we must ensure that it is safeguarded for everyone around the world, equally. If this performance had mocked the beliefs of any other religious community, or any other community for that matter, it would be a cause for equal concern and offence.

It has been reported that the opening ceremony video has been removed from official Olympic channels and that some funders and advertisers are responding by withdrawing their support. If the offence caused was unintentional, then clarification would be a remedy, but if this was indeed, even in part or by inference, a depiction of the Last Supper, then that is entirely unacceptable.

Many Christians, as well as those of other faiths and none, around the world have been offended by this performance, and this must be a consideration for members of the International Olympic Committee, for whom the impact of hurtful and offensive terminology around a number of issues has been a focus, and yet they remain silent on this matter. The Olympic Games represent a space that has historically been inclusive and welcoming, and the perception of the global community has always been, and should always remain, important in this space that is meant to be safeguarded as respectful of the diverse nature of all humanity.

I, like many, will sadly be looking at this year’s Olympic Games very differently. I will be wholeheartedly supporting Team GB and Team Egypt, and will be in admiration of every athlete who has been training for years to reach this milestone. I will think back to the days of London 2012 when there was so much solidarity and such joy, and think how very differently if feels today, and how far we are from that.

Pursuant to the International Olympic Committee’s own guidelines which stress respect, consistency and sensitivity “irrespective of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation”, I call upon the International Olympic Committee and National Olympic Committee to directly address the global offence that this performance has caused, as I pray for a spirit of accountability and wisdom. 

*Ends*


Resources:    
Statements, reports, comments and press releases via www.CopticMediaUK.com

Wednesday, 6 December 2023

His Majesty King Charles III visits The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK, ten years after his first historic visit on 17 December 2013

 Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office

 

Press Release
For immediate use
6 December 2023

 

His Majesty King Charles III visits The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK,
ten years after his first historic visit on 17 December 2013

His Majesty King Charles III attended an Advent Service and Christmas Reception at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Hertfordshire on 5 December 2023 which was attended by over six hundred guests from the House of Lords and House of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, humanitarian, and advocacy organisations, as well as ecumenical and interreligious guests, and members of the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community in the United Kingdom.


The King was greeted on arrival by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, and The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Mr Robert Voss CBE CStJ, who then introduced His Majesty to The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Liz Green, The Rt Reverend the Lord Bishop of St Albans, Bishop Alan Smith, the Mayor of Stevenage, Cllr. Myla Arceno, and other civic dignitaries.




His Majesty attended a Coptic Orthodox prayer service in the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, after which he met volunteers from the Church's youth, advocacy and benevolent ministries, who presented the various services offered by the church that align with His Majesty’s Coronation pledge ‘to serve’. The King was then greeted by members of the Coptic Orthodox Church community, and signed a visitors book before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion of his visit.





His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos presented to His Majesty a fragment of stone from the Coptic Orthodox Altar within the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, speaking of its unparalleled significance in Christian history and the enduring legacy of the Christian Faith and the universal message of hope and resurrection that it offers, from the place of the Resurrection.


His Majesty then addressed the congregation and spoke of his joy at returning to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral after ten years and meeting people who had been there at the previous visit in 2013. He concluded by wishing everyone a blessed Christmas.

Commenting on the visit, Archbishop Angaelos said:

“It was a true joy to welcome His Majesty back to our Centre and Cathedral during his Coronation Year. The response which we received from our community to attend a midweek morning service was overwhelming, and the genuine love and enthusiasm expressed was heartening. Seeing His Majesty move among the people and engage with them with such warmth and sincerity speaks to his commitment to being the servant King. He touched and left a lasting impression on the hearts of so many individuals and families within our community.

As part of the visit, we were conscious to present some of the major ministries of the Church related to youth, homelessness, social welfare and advocacy in order to demonstrate the breadth of engagement that we have, and this was further represented in the number of our ecumenical, interreligious and official guests who joined us on the day. We were also delighted that His Majesty planted a tree with us, something that speaks to the importance of environmental stewardship as faith communities.

We are very thankful to His Majesty for his visit, his time and genuine sincerity and warmth, and we pray a blessing upon him, the Nation and the Commonwealth and the world during this Advent period, which is a period of hope amidst many global challenges that are affecting so many at this time.”


The King was invited to plant a plum tree on the grounds of The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, before farewelling guests.

His Majesty King Charles III (formerly The Prince of Wales) first visited The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre a decade ago, to attend a Christmas service and to witness the increasing engagement of the Coptic Orthodox community, an indigenous Egyptian Christian community, now very much at home in the United Kingdom. The King’s visit in 2013, was the first of a series of annual Advent visits to diverse Christian communities carried out by His Majesty.

*Ends*

All photographs are credited to The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK

Background Information

Royal Visit to The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in 2013, see here

On 5th December 2018 His Majesty spoke at a historic service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the contribution of Christians in the Middle East. Archbishop Angaelos and the Coptic Orthodox Choir in the United Kingdom took part in this historic service. Read more here.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark,  met The King at Clarence House on 17 May 2017 during his first pastoral visit to the United Kingdom. Read more here.

In November 2021, The King also met His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in Egypt.

In March 1995 His Majesty met with His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, in Egypt.

 

More on The Coptic Orthodox Church

Coptic Orthodox Christians make up approximately 15% of the population of Egypt, numbering around 15 million. An indigenous community, they are now the largest presence of Christians in the entire Middle East due to widespread immigration and displacement.

There are approximately 40,000 Coptic Orthodox Christians in the UK.  

Tuesday, 12 September 2023

Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London opens Diocesan Hub named 'The Sanctuary' in the heart of the City of London, with a Message from His Majesty King Charles III

 

Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office


Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office

 


 

Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London opens Diocesan Hub, The Sanctuary,
in the heart of the City of London, with a Message from
His Majesty King Charles III




11 September 2023

The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London held a service, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, on Monday 11 September 2023, to mark the inauguration of its new Diocesan hub, named The Sanctuary, at Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, in the heart of the City of London.

 


A Message from His Majesty King Charles III was read during the service by The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry and Dean Designate of Windsor.  In his message, His Majesty offered his best wishes to the Coptic Orthodox community on the establishment of its new home and ministry hub, recognising his own experience of the life and ministry of the Coptic Orthodox Church for many years, especially in the areas of youth work, homelessness, and advocacy. King Charles commended efforts leading to environmental stewardship, as Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe has recently been renovated as part of an ecumenical partnership, and is now believed to be the first Grade I listed church in London to be carbon neutral.

Today also marks the beginning of the Coptic New Year (Nayrouz), making this historic event even more poignant for members of the Coptic Orthodox community in the United Kingdom and around the world.

The service was attended by senior Church leaders and representatives, ecumenical and interfaith partners, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of Parliament, representatives of advocacy and non-governmental organisations, as well as the breadth of civil society, accompanied by clergy and members of the Coptic Orthodox Church community.

 



In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos spoke of renewal and the importance of valuing tradition, saying:

“During this New Year, it is wonderful for us to focus on renewal, but it is equally important for us to hold onto our heritage as well. The Coptic Orthodox Church, established by Saint Mark the Apostle in Egypt, has been faithful for two thousand years in living and sharing its Faith. It is also a Church that, today, here, worships in English, and has a variety of diverse ministries that range from children to youth to sporting ministries, homeless ministry to advocacy, and much more.”

Speaking of the vision underpinning the new Diocesan hub, His Eminence continued:

“Our message is a message of hope; a message of resurrection; a message of love. It is a message that has been unchanged for over two millennia. We are constantly delivering it to different people at different times, throughout different generations in different settings, with different backgrounds and different cultures, and that is an exciting prospect. It is inspiring that people representing this vast and diverse mosaic are able to stand here, in one place, and pray together, looking towards a new beginning.”

Archbishop Angaelos concluded by saying:

“We thank God for new beginnings and all that they bring. We also give thanks for that which is coming that may not be known, but that will excite and inspire us, and speak to our hearts; those things that, above all, will shine the light of our Lord into a world drastically in need of His peace.”

 

 

In a message from The Most Reverend Archbishop of Canterbury, read by The Right Reverend Jonathan Baker, Bishop of Fulham, he said:

"I wanted to give you my congratulations on this momentous occasion… As we work together for the unity of all Christ's people, such a sign of our togetherness in Christ is a powerful witness to the world.  I hope and pray that St. Andrew's will prove a happy, lasting home for your church community, and a place of prayer and refuge for your people."

 


 

In a message from The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister, read by Mr. David Burrowes, the Prime Minister's Deputy Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, he said:

"I want to emphasise the immense value that the Coptic Orthodox Church brings not only to the United Kingdom but also to the global community. The Coptic Orthodox Church has been a beacon of faith, unity, and compassion for so many, and it has made a significant and positive impact on countless lives. The opening of the Diocesan hub in the City of London is a noteworthy moment. The bustling City is not only a financial centre but also a vibrant community with diverse businesses and city workers. The presence of the Coptic Orthodox Church in this setting will undoubtedly enrich the lives of those who live and work in the area. The Church's teachings of love, acceptance, and service will undoubtedly resonate within the community."

 

 


 

The Bishop of London, The Right Reverend and The Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, began her address by saying:

"It is a delight to be here in person this evening…not only because it is Coptic Orthodox New Year, but also because it is the start of a new ministry and worship in this place for the Coptic Orthodox Church in the Diocese of London.”

Referring to the Gospel message read during the service, she continued:

“I often feel that they are not quite treasures hidden in a field, but our churches are treasures hidden among skyscrapers and big buildings, and having the partnership here with the Coptic Orthodox Church allows that treasure to maybe shine slightly brighter and more constant than it has been.  We often talk about ecumenical partnership but, today, we do not only talk about it, we see it demonstrated in action."

 


 

Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London's Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, offered greetings from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and in her address, wishing the congregation a Happy New Year and speaking of her engagement with the Coptic Orthodox Church, she said:

“I have had the honour of meeting and working with faith leaders across London, many of whom are assembled here today, and including Archbishop Angaelos and his representatives, through, for example, the London Faith Sector Panel and our regular interfaith breakfast meetings.” 

Highlighting the vital work carried out by various ministries in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London, she said:

“The support that you and other faith groups have given to London’s communities is essential to their health and wellbeing. And we see this in the work of the Coptic churches with Exodus Youth Worx UK, and through your youth ministries, empowering young people and fostering their emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth. We see this also in the Coptic City Mission which goes into the streets of London on a weekly basis to provide food for the homeless. We know how vital collaboration and partnerships are to ensuring that communities have the support that they need in times of crisis. So, I would like to thank all partners in the room for all you do to support Londoners.” 

She concluded by saying:

“It is important that we learn from the work that has happened here and continue to build connections and partnerships so that we can continue to serve Londoners and make London a better place, now and in the future. I look forward to working even more closely with Archbishop Angaelos and his representatives over the coming months.” 

 


The service was also attended by the Archdeacon of London, the Venerable Luke Miller, the Rector of Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, who was presented with a special icon by Archbishop Angaelos with a word of thanks to him and the parish congregation for their hard work and companionship on this journey. 

The Sanctuary will serve as a space in the heart of the City of London for ministries already established within the Diocese. These include ministries specifically serving children, youth, students, young women and men, seniors, and the homeless, amongst other existing ministries. The Sanctuary will also be a place from which the Church’s ecumenical and interfaith relations, official engagements, and advocacy work will continue.

 

*Ends*