Messages received from His Majesty King Charles III, The Archbishop of York, and The Prime Minister at the 13th annual Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) Service at St Margaret’s, 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 York, and The Prime Minister at the 13^th annual Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) Service at St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey

 

24 October 2025

Messages for the Coptic Orthodox Church and community, and His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom were received from His Majesty King Charles III, The Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Lord Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister, as the 13^th anniversary of the annual Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) Service was held in St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey on 23 October 2025.    

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, made the ultimate sacrifice and remained 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 beliefs, 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.

The service began with vespers prayers which included a sermon by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, and was followed by messages and addresses.

In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Founder and Director of Refcemi said:

“This year has brought global successes and failures. We have had things to rejoice in and things to lament, and what we know, and the reason we are here, is that individually, as people, as institutions, as faith groups, we can do nothing on our own, and the fact that we are gathered here today in a spirit of peaceful partnership and collaboration is in and of itself a form of action. In the Epistle to the Galatians 5:13, we read, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty…through love serve one another.”  What we have learned during the course of this year is that when we serve one another, when we love one another, when we are reconciled with one another, when we sacrifice for one another, that is where we see the true fruits of our fellowship.”

His Eminence went on to speak about the 1700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea:

“This year we mark the 1700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, when the Church came together because the Faith was challenged. The response to the challenge was not to take up arms or to fight or kill, but to pray, deliberate, decide, and then to provide a formula that we use until today, and that is the Nicene Creed. This was a proclamation of faith that has lasted 1700 years, and despite the small differences between our representations of the Christian family, it is something we all stand side by side on, that we can all recite together, and can all proclaim as a foundation for our Faith. The Creed remains a unifying force and continues to be central to our Faith and worship.”

He concluded by saying:

“We are gathered here today, not addressing a heresy or formulating a creed, but our gathering today will be spoken of beyond these walls. Our unity, our cooperation, our reconciliation, our working and standing and speaking for one another will continue beyond this night and will continue beyond this place.”

The message from His Majesty King Charles III was read by The Rt Rev. the Lord Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, House of Lords, and read:

“Now, and in some ways more than ever, our world is in need of ongoing efforts that promote the peaceful coming together of people from all walks of life. I deeply value the continuing service of the Coptic Orthodox community in the United Kingdom, which continues to gather people in a spirit of peace, partnership and solidarity.

This year, as the Christian Church around the world marks the 1700^th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, it is especially good to know that your ecumenical service, within the precincts of Westminster Abbey, gathers people in a spirit of hope and prayer.

As you remember the countless members of your community who have, over the years, witnessed to their Christian Faith in the most challenging of circumstances, I wish every blessing to the Coptic Orthodox Church community here in Britain and across the world for this new year.”

The message from The Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Lord Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell was read by The Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion:

“This Feast, marking the Coptic New Year and the memory of the martyrs, reminds us that the Church is ever renewed through witness – through faith, hope, and love that endure in the face of suffering. Your ancient tradition continues to bear powerful testimony to the life-giving presence of Christ, the true light that shines both in Egypt and throughout the world.”

“Only a day later, from 24 to 28 October, theologians and Church leaders will gather near Alexandria to commemorate the Council of Nicaea (325). The Coptic Orthodox Church traces its roots directly to the ancient Church of Alexandria, and the Patriarch of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Great, was a chief theological architect of the Nicene definition of faith and a steadfast defender of Christian Orthodoxy. We therefore join with you in spirit as you give thanks for the past and trust in God’s providence for the year ahead. May this service be a celebration and a foretaste of that new day and the new creation in Christ – the One who makes all things new (Rev 21:5).”

The Right Honourable Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister included the following in his message, which was read by The Lord Rook OBE:

“Amid the joy and new beginnings, I am deeply conscious that you will have in your minds and prayers those who continue to experience suffering and persecution on account of their faith. People of all faiths and none should be free to peacefully express their religion or beliefs and live without fear of harassment or oppression.”

Acknowledging the role of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, The Prime Minister said:

“Thank you for the contribution you make to communities across the UK.”

The Lord Rook OBE, Member of the House of Lords, said in his address:

“As one of the oldest and most steadfast branches of the Christian family, your witness has shone bright through all the ages and lightens our lives today. From the preaching of St Mark in Alexandria, through the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and mothers, to the long story of endurance and renewal, you have given a testimony of Faith under pressure. A Faith that endures not through status, but through service. A Faith that is conquered not through conquest, but through hope, patience and love. At a time when Christianity is too easily co-opted by some, seeking to divide and conquer, disrupt and rule, you have stood firm, refusing to compromise and ready to pay the price. Nayrouz, the feature of the Feast of the Martyrs, reminds us all that real renewal does not come from political manifestos or successful election campaigns. It springs from sacrifice and service.

He concluded by saying:

I will never forget the first time when an African church leader told me that the blood of the martyrs had fertilised the seed of his church. Sadly, but ultimately victoriously and joyfully, the Coptic Orthodox Church can provide almost 2 millennia of testimonies to this timeless truth. Here in Britain, the Coptic Orthodox community is a blessing to us all. Your parishes are places of hospitality and prayer. Your youth work and charitable services strengthen local communities. Your witness enriches the tapestry of British Christianity. In a society that too easily forgets its spiritual roots, the Coptic Church reminds us of what it means to follow Christ and your presence calls us to be a more Christian country. This is nowhere more evident than in your commitment to promote and protect the rights of all human beings to practice religion or belief.”

Bishop Philip Mounstephen, The Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Winchester, House of Lords, said in his address:

“The Coptic Orthodox Church represents, by some very considerable margin, the largest Christian presence in the Middle East, and an honoured part of Egyptian society. Egypt represents therefore a healthy plurality which is surely essential if that region is to have any lasting peace. As tonight witnesses, the Coptic Orthodox Church is here, in England, in the United Kingdom. Its presence here, quite literally, brings both the reality of persecution and of that vibrant Faith home to the rest of us.”

Bishop Philip concluded by speaking about the Council of Nicaea:

“In this year in which we remember that critical landmark moment in the Church’s history, the Council of Nicaea, we rejoice in our common Faith in Jesus Christ: of one being with the Father.  A Faith that binds us together and reminds us that when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers, and when one part rejoices, the whole body rejoices, and that belonging together, united by our common Faith in Jesus, reminds me of something else. In polarised times, when migration has become such an issue, I want to say unequivocally that I thank God from the bottom of my heart for the presence in this country of brothers and sisters and other friends who trace their history and heritage from elsewhere in the world. How much poorer the Church in this country would be without that astonishing gift of God, in which I rejoice.”

His Excellency Ambassador Ashraf Swelam, Ambassador of the United Arab Republic of Egypt to the Court of Saint James, said in his address:

“His Eminence and other speakers talked about Nayrouz being the celebration of martyrdom, the sacrifices for the right causes, obviously, and this is something that this Church and our country has done over and over again. In the face of hardship, we have always chosen hope. In the face of division, we have always chosen unity. In the face of pain, we have always chosen the difficult but powerful path of forgiveness.

These choices demand immense strength, vision, humility, and a deep belief in the dignity of every human being. Nayrouz is not only an opportunity to look back, as his Eminence said, it's also a moment of looking forward with hope. Just as the martyrs stood firm in their trials, we are encouraged to face our own struggles, with courage and faith in God. It's a call to renewal, repentance, and spiritual growth at the start of a new year.”

His Excellency Iván Romero-Martínez, Ambassador of Honduras to the Court of Saint James, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, said in his address:

“It is an honour to join you on this special occasion to mark the Coptic Feast of Nayrouz, a celebration that carries a message of renewal, faith and hope. Tonight, we also honour the resilience of a community whose history is deeply marked by fortitude in the face of persecution, and whose testimony continues to inspire the world.

His Excellency concluded by saying:

“This is why gatherings like this one are so meaningful. They remind us that diversity is a strength, a bridge that brings us closer to one another. The Coptic Orthodox Church, with its profound heritage and unwavering Faith, stands as a beacon of courage and perseverance.

Yet, around the world, millions of people still face persecution, discrimination, and violence simply because of their beliefs. It is our shared responsibility --- governments, civil society, and faith communities, to defend this fundamental right. When we stand together, we affirm that intolerance has no place in our societies.”

Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England said in his address:

“This gathering has particular ecumenical significance at a time when we are celebrating 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea and the subsequent Nicene Creed. It was a great joy to witness His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos together with Archbishop Bernard Longley, from the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, and Archbishop Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, in dialogue about the Nicene Creed on BBC Songs of Praise this week.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Archbishop Angaelos for the significant ecumenical contribution he and the wider Coptic Orthodox Church family makes to the churches within Churches Together in England. We are inspired by the ongoing affirmation of Orthodox Christology that your Church brings to our Nation.

The centrality of the Nicene Creed recited in Coptic Orthodox Churches each week is a reminder that as we are faithful to God, God in his mercy and grace is also faithful to us His people.

It was St Athanasius of Alexandra who at Nicaea defended the truth about Jesus Christ, who helped preserve the integrity of the Christian Faith we hold so dear today. The Faith we are called to deliver to the saints.”

As is custom, 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 community and clergy in the United Kingdom.

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos concluded the service by thanking his team and volunteers for their efforts. He also delivered a call to action which echoed his final statement in his sermon:

“I close with a verse from the Book of Micah 6:8 that many of you will be familiar with: “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” We must work towards justice, and towards mercy in a spirit of humility. So today, and until we meet again, let us continue to commit ourselves to this new beginning, friendship, partnership, blessing. A partnership that focuses on justice, that fights for mercy, and that exemplifies humility as we walk together with and for one another.”

*Ends*

Resources

Photographs from the event are available on the Gallery via www.ServingLondon.com

Watch the BBC Songs of Praise special on the 1700^th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed on BBC Iplayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002l5wl/songs-of-praise-1700-years-of-the-nicene-creed

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

Archbishop Angaelos on X @BishopAngaelos  

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

Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom following the attack on worshippers at a Synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom

 

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom following the attack on worshippers at a Synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

2 October 2025

On a day during which we should have been expressing greetings to the Jewish community on the occasion of Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish religious calendar, we are regrettably now expressing condolences after the heinous attack on the community at Heaton Park Synagogue, Manchester. Due to the connected nature of the Jewish community, this incident will have a much wider effect and impact on many in Manchester, across Britain, and around the world. We also acknowledge that today’s tragedy will deeply impact the communities in the surrounding neighbourhoods, across the United Kingdom and beyond.

Places of worship are safe havens, with people at their most exposed and vulnerable as they open themselves up in prayer and worship, so attacks on them are especially deplorable. It has been shared that due to the timing of the service this morning, the congregation would have been comprised of mainly the elderly and young children, who are even more vulnerable which makes this attack unfathomable.  

We must recognise that rhetoric of hatred and division which we see increasing in daily discourse will undeniably give rise to such attacks. There is no excuse for violence and terrorism, and we must all strive not to be part of anything that leads to incitement or hatred towards those who are deemed ‘the other’.

There is now a need for leadership at every level to ensure words and actions that bring a sense of justice, peace, calm and resolve to communities that are suffering deeply as a result of today’s tragedy.

We pray repose for those whose lives were taken, comfort for the bereaved, and reassurance for those feeling immense vulnerability in the wake of today’s attack.

*Ends*

United Nations International Day of Peace 2025 - Reflection by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos

                      

Reflection on the International Day of Peace
His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom

Source: www.UN.org

21 September 2025

On this year’s International Day of Peace, as recognised by the United Nations, there is an urgent need for a global spirit of solidarity and hope amidst ongoing wars, conflicts and atrocities in our world. Millions are suffering violations of their basic human rights and freedoms, and countless others are living in tumultuous conditions, robbing them of their loved ones and livelihoods. Many millions are also displaced, both internally and externally, as a direct result of war and destruction. Division is now rampant within countless nations, and this spirit of opposition and injustice across and within communities will only lead to more suffering and pain for all.

Due to the current undeniable scale of suffering, destruction, displacement, famine and scarcity of medical care, there is a particular focus this year on the ongoing wars affecting Gaza and Ukraine, and the ongoing pain of separation and uncertainty regarding the wellbeing of loved ones, as well as terrorist attacks, in Israel.

There is also unspeakable pain for the people of Sudan, Yemen, sub-Saharan Africa and across the Middle East, as well as many more in pockets of the world whose stories remain untold and without a focus in our daily news feeds. Every individual who is suffering is worthy of our attention, prayers and active efforts towards promoting and finding just and sustainable peace for all.

Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us that “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25); as a global community, we are now more divided than we have been for decades.

While we consider the global situation, we cannot ignore the current tension and climate of unrest that lies within communities at a national level in many parts of the world. These must be first addressed so that we may stand with and for one another as we become instruments of peace for the world at large.

Despite this reality, what is also true is that we can indeed be, and make, a powerful and impactful difference in our communities and in our world. Our ongoing prayers and advocacy efforts can be for peace, justice and genuine reconciliation to take place within our global communities. We can, individually and collectively, be catalysts of, and advocates for, acts of reconciliation within our own families, neighbourhoods, communities and wider circles of influence, as we all, in our own way, extend a hand of peace to one another.

We pray God’s peace upon His world, wisdom upon policy and decision makers, comfort, strength and resilience upon those suffering as a result of a lack of peace, and faithfulness and determination upon all those called to continue to speak, advocate, and act for peace in every corner of the world.

Report: The Journey of The Holy Family in Egypt Event - The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in partnership with The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

 

Report

The Journey of The Holy Family in Egypt Event

The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in partnership with
 The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Thursday 29 May 2025

On Thursday 29 May 2025, The Egyptian Cultural Bureau, in partnership with The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, hosted an event to commemorate the journey of The Holy Family in Egypt in anticipation of the celebration of The Coptic Orthodox Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt on 1 June 2025.

The event began with a welcome and presentation by Professor Rasha Hussein A. Mostafa, Cultural Attaché and Bureau Director, and addresses were given by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Sherif Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt to the Court of St James and Iconographer Fadi Mikhail. Among guests in attendance was His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James.

 

A short film was shown to demonstrate the Holy Family’s journey across Egypt, and after addresses, guests were invited to partake in refreshments and to attend an icon exhibition by Fadi Mikhail. There were six icons on display. Three of the icons depicted The Holy Family with various compositions, and all included elements referencing Egypt such as The Pyramids, The Nile and Pharaonic symbolism. The remaining three icons were of Saints that are significant to the Coptic Orthodox Church. The first was Saint Mark, the Evangelist, writer of the second Gospel in The Bible, and founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The second was of Saint Athanasius, the 20^th Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and a pivotal figure in the global Church until today, and the third was an icon of Saint Katherine who is an ascetic of the deserts of Egypt, significant because of the contribution that Egypt has made to monastic life globally since the 4^th Century until today.

Professor Rasha Hussein spoke about the cultural significance of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt, saying:

“The advent of the Holy family of Egypt seeking refuge, fleeing King Herod’s persecution, is an event of the utmost significance in our dear country's long history. It also highlights Divine protection and providence.”

She went on to say:

“The Holy Family's journey in Egypt is rich with cultural, theological, and emotional dimensions. Perceived from any of these aspects, the journey offers profound insights into themes of exile, protection, Divine guidance, and room among suffering, and above of all, it demonstrated that Christ's journey in Egypt filled its land with blessings. The support the Holy Family received from others in Egypt, whether through donations, shelter or resources, showcased the extent to which the concepts of hospitality and mutual aid were deeply rooted and embedded in ancient Middle Eastern cultures, among which Egypt stood and still stands for.”

Professor Rasha Hussein concluded by saying:

“The Holy family's journey in Egypt is not only a cornerstone of Christian heritage, but also, it is successfully positioning Egypt as a major Christian pilgrimage destination, as well as illustrating the country as the one that fosters intercultural dialogue, coexistence, and preserves Coptic history.”

 

Fadi Mikhail spoke about the various components that make up the icon of the Holy Family, and signposted three main functions of icons in general, saying:

“Icons can educate. They offer information regarding everything we know about the subject. In this case, the flight to Egypt. The second, is a call or invitation to pray or to seek the person or the people who are in the icon, appreciate and even discuss the matter with them, and through them, Jesus Christ Himself. The third is a call to action, because an icon isn't just an inspirational image, but an image that should invite us to do whatever the person in the icon has succeeded in doing.”

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos spoke about the spiritual relevance and significance of God’s blessing upon Egypt in the book of Isaiah 18:19-25, saying:

“This was a prophecy before the Birth of Christ. It was a prophecy before the existence of Christianity or Islam. It was a prophecy and a blessing upon the land of Egypt. There is no denying its Christian heritage, and more recently its Muslim heritage, and of course, the Pharaonic origin, but that blessing was and is upon every person, because this is how God sees us and how He calls us to see one another.”

His Eminence continued:

“When we look at the route of the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt, it was extensive. It went from, as we heard Professor Rasha Hussein say, from border to border, it blessed the whole land. There was no distinction between rural Egypt and other parts, and that shows a blessing across the whole land.”

His Eminence concluded by saying:

“Egypt is a land that we all share today, and we must all share in its joys. There are many who continue to flag the differences and the challenges, but there are many good things. Tonight is one of them. What we are celebrating is one of them, and the blessing of our Lord on Egypt, unequivocally, unconditionally and without separation is certainly one of them. So I leave you with a verse from the Book of Isaiah 19:19, ‘In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt’.”

His Excellency Sherif Kamel spoke about the Government of Egypt’s efforts in promoting and preserving the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt, and spoke of its significance in Egypt’s history:

“The trail and each of its sites are not just a story of flight and refuge, but a living participant of Egypt's longstanding role as a sanctuary from threats and injustice. The Holy Family’s journey in Egypt is a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity and being part of that makes Egyptians today, and forever, proud and thankful. As we carry this history with us Egypt today continues to play a similar role, providing refuge to millions of our sisters and brothers, from a number of countries in Africa and West Asia.”

His Excellency concluded by saying:

“The Holy Family trail in Egypt is much more than a route on a map. In addition to its great religious significance, it is an important symbol of human solidarity, and our common human history, as well as a strong reminder of the lessons learned from that history and their importance. We are in dire need of these lessons today more than ever. At a time when human suffering is peaking and reaching unimaginable levels in the 21st century we have to remember that preserving humanity's future lies in helping one another, embracing one another, and respecting one another. These were the natural and instinctive notions by which Egypt received, more than two thousand years ago, the Holy Family, as welcome guests, and these are the principles that should guide all of humanity today and in the future.