Coptic Orthodox
Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Messages
received 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 St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey
10 November 2021
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 Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister, as the annual Nayrouz (Coptic New
Year) Service returned to St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey on 9 November 2021. Addresses
were delivered by The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Prime Minister’s Special
Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minster of State
(Minister for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth), and the
Baroness Cox of Queensbury and Dr Ewelina Ochab, Deputy Director of Refcemi,
The Coptic Orthodox Office for Advocacy and Public Policy.
Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development 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 the annual celebration, which was able to be held in-person, later than usual, after a year of challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic. The service commenced with a welcome by the Reverend Canon Anthony Ball, Canon of Westminster & Rector of St Margaret’s.
In his sermon, which focused
on new beginnings, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop
of London, said:
“We
are asked to follow in the footsteps of our Creator, Who prepared everything
for us, Who paved the way for us in His Incarnation so that we are helped as we
journey, and Who reconciles us completely as we return. Today we must think
more about others than ourselves. Let us not look at others from our own perspective,
but theirs. When we see people journeying, let us walk in their shoes, for at
least a small part of their journey, so that maybe then the complexity and
challenge of those new beginnings may be better understood. We must exercise
our generosity to those who deal with us at the personal level, to those within
our communities, and to our world at large; recognising that when we are
faithful stewards, more is given to us, so that we can be faithful over more.
So, as we gather, we pray for new beginnings and new journeys, ours and those
of others, and endeavour to do all we can for all those who may need our help
along the way.”
Messages and Addresses followed the Service, beginning with a heartening message addressed to His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos from Her Majesty The Queen, read by Bishop David Hamid, in which Her Majesty wrote:
“Occasions
such as this provide an opportunity to remember all those around the world who
suffer hardship on account of their faith, especially in recent times. They
remain in our thoughts and prayers.
At
this time of reflection as you remember and honour the faithful witness and
resilience of Coptic Christians throughout the ages, I wish all in the Coptic
community a peaceful and blessed year ahead.”
The message of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, read by Bishop Jonathan Clark, spoke of the importance of gathering in prayer, especially for communities that face hardship on account of their religion or belief around the world:
“Gathering
together is an essential part of religious and community life. It helps us feel
connected, not just at an individual level but, importantly, to something
larger than ourselves. After such a challenging year for the global community,
I am encouraged to know that the Feast of Nayrouz, the marking of the beginning
of the Coptic new Year, will be a moment to see each other in person. In
challenging times, the fact that the annual Nayrouz Service brings together so
many people from different backgrounds and walks of life alongside the Coptic
Orthodox community in the U.K. is a true symbol of solidarity and unity.”
“As
communities around the world continue to face persecution and endure dreadful
hardship for their faith, I join you today in prayer for all those who continue
to suffer injustice and religious persecution.”
In a message from the Most Reverend Archbishop of Canterbury, read by Revd Dr Matthias Grebe, he focused on the importance of solidarity and collaboration, saying:
“Nayrouz
or New Year, which takes place when normally the waters of the Nile rise, is a
good time both to think of transitions and of the martyrs whose transition from
death to life has so richly nourished the Church. Water can deal death and wash
away dirt, and at the same time it gives new life, just as it does in baptism.
The grace of this great sacrament is what we see displayed in the lives of the
martyrs who inspire us to live out that same grace in our lives.”
“This
is why our friendship is so important. It is not just a human friendship but a
coming together in Christ. Not only does each growth in friendship take a step
towards a more united world, but it increases Christ’s influence in the world.”
“May all of us, united in our faith in Jesus Christ, increase in the relationship of love He wants us to have with each other. Our prayers will be strengthened and our witness more effective.”
The Right Honourable Boris
Johnson MP, Prime Minister reiterated the commitment of Her Majesty’s
Government to respecting religious freedom and belief, in a Message read by
Fiona Bruce MP, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or
Belief:
"As
you commemorate the lives of so many Christians and people of all faiths and
none who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith or belief, it is
important for us all to remember that faith and minority groups continue to
suffer persecution around the world. Respect for people of faiths is of
fundamental importance to Her Majesty’s Government.”
“I
hope that these celebrations usher in a blessed and peaceful year for the
Coptic Orthodox Church community both here in Britain and worldwide.”
Dr Ewelina Ochab, Deputy Director of Refcemi, said in her address:
“All
over the world, people – and whole communities – are suffering from persecution
purely because of their religion or beliefs. This includes acts of violence and
even attempts to annihilate whole communities. As we observe it, such acts
are increasing globally. In the past five years alone, there have been several
cases of atrocities which meet the legal definition of genocide.
Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities targeted by Daesh in Iraq
Rohingya Muslims and other religious minorities targeted by the Burmese
military in Myanmar. Uyghurs, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetan
Buddhists and others targeted in China. Christians targeted by Boko Haram and
other militias in Nigeria —in all those cases, religious communities were
targeted because of their religion or belief.”
“This
is also the very reason for the establishment of Refcemi, the Coptic Orthodox
Office for Advocacy and Public Policy founded in October 2019 by His Eminence
Archbishop Angaelos. ‘Refcemi’ is the Coptic word for ‘advocate’. It speaks to
the resilience of the Coptic Orthodox community which has lived through
millennia of persecution, and in spite of these struggles, has not retracted into a state of
victimhood, but rather, has used this experience to stand and advocate for
others.”
The Baroness Cox of Queensbury
highlighted the persecution of a number of minority communities across the
world, and said in her address:
‘When
one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer.’
I hope
and pray that we will be alongside in prayer with our brothers and sisters
suffering persecution in so many countries today – and remember ‘Prayer
without deeds is dead.’
Thank
you for letting me share some of the pain, the passion and the privilege of
being with our persecuted brothers and sisters. And may our prayers for them
enable us to be more worthy of the price they are paying for our faith.”
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon gave the concluding address, raising awareness of a number of religious freedom issues around the world, and reiterating the government’s commitment to working in the area of Freedom of Religion or Belief:
“Next
summer, we will host an international Ministerial Conference on freedom of
religion or belief.
The
Foreign Secretary, the Prime Ministers’ Special Envoy Fiona Bruce, and myself,
are all working hard to lay the foundations for a conference that energises the
work of civil society, religious and non-religious communities, and
Governments.”
“Your Eminence,
Archbishop Angaelos, you have been a staunch ally in our shared mission to
spread understanding, respect, and friendship between religious and
non-religious communities.
I look
forward to continuing our work together, as we promote and defend equality,
inclusion and respect, at home and abroad; for everyone.”
Lord Ahmad concluded by
expressing that the greatest test of anyone’s faith is the willingness and
conviction to safeguard the faith of others.
*Ends*
