Coptic
Orthodox Church UK
Media
and Communications Office
Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Messages from Her Majesty The Queen, HRH the Prince of Wales, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Prime Minister at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at Westminster Abbey
10 October 2018
Messages were received from Her Majesty
The Queen, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the Most Reverend Archbishop
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Right Honourable Theresa May,
Prime Minister, as equality and freedom were highlighted at the annual Coptic
New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.
Addresses were also delivered by the Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Minister for
Faith, and the Lord Alton of Liverpool.
Members from the House of Lords and House
of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Home
Office, and humanitarian and advocacy organisations, as well as various
ecumenical and inter-religious guests, joined members of the Coptic Orthodox
community in the United Kingdom for this annual celebration. The service
commenced with a welcome by the Reverend Canon Jane Sinclair, Canon of
Westminster & Rector of St Margaret’s.
In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop
Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, said:
“Today we gather to celebrate a new beginning; a new year. Today is
a day for rejoicing in the creation of our God, because through it, we see that
He is a God of equity; a God of equality. He is a God Who creates all according
to that spirit of fairness.
Yesterday was the International Day for Indigenous Peoples. How
ironic as we now look upon tens of millions who are displaced, no longer in
their indigenous lands. No longer in their ancestral places because of war,
conflict, persecution or poverty.
The Feast of Nayrouz commemorates martyrs historically, but it is
also a time at which we remember those who have paid the ultimate price more
recently. Over the past 2 years we have experienced the bombing of numerous
churches, the shooting of innocent worshippers, targeted attacks on churches
and Christians in villages across Upper Egypt, and an attempted suicide bombing
only weeks ago. Today also marks the seventh anniversary of innocent Christians
brutally massacred in Maspero, Cairo.
The beauty and irony of this situation however, is that without
darkness there is no need for light, and so if we celebrate light today, it is
because it breaks darkness. Our gathering here is light, with people coming
together, representing a variety of ages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, a
variation of humanity; a broad spectrum of our British society and our British
Coptic society within that.
The celebration of this new year represents our Christian
understanding that whatever wrong we may have committed, either personally or
corporately, it can be corrected through repentance and a changing of our
course. We must therefore, personally and collectively, take stock of where we
have erred, repent, and move forward with what Saint Paul refers to as the
“renewal of [our] minds.” This epitomises our Faith that there is always hope
beyond desperation, and life beyond the Cross."
“As you commemorate the faithful witness of countless people who
have paid the ultimate price for their Christian Faith, I send my best wishes
to your community for a peaceful year ahead.”
In a message addressed to Archbishop
Angaelos from the Most Reverend Archbishop of Canterbury, read by the Right
Reverend Andrew J Proud, Bishop of Reading, he said:
“This is the first Feast of Nayrouz after the creation of the
Coptic Diocese of London and your enthronement as its Archbishop. The creation
of the diocese is a testimony to the strength of the Coptic community in this
country.”
The Right Honourable Theresa May Prime
Minister provided a message read by the Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:
"Nayrouz is a time for gratitude and reflection as you gather
together to mark this yearly event. It provides the chance to commemorate those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs, at a time when it is
important to remember that minority faith groups continue to face persecution
in various parts of the world.”
The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Minister
for Faith, addressed the congregation and Archbishop Angaelos with the warmest
wishes and thanks, saying:
“The Archbishop has once again extended a hand of friendship to
all. It is an honour to mark this holy day as a member of this congregation,
which truly reflects the great pluralism and diversity on which our society
rightly prides itself.”
The Lord Alton of Liverpool concluded the
addresses by reading a message from the Prince of Wales, in
which His Royal Highness commented on the growth of faith and strength in Coptic Christians
both here in Britain and Egypt, subsequent to recent and past events. He also
congratulated the Coptic community and Archbishop Angaelos on the newly
established diocese of London, and sending his warmest wishes to the community.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool then gave his
own personal message by concluding with:
“I have always been struck by the hidden treasures of the Coptic Church:
inspired by its extraordinary and remarkable history, its beautiful liturgies,
and by its contemporary work.”
*Ends*