The Coptic Orthodox Diocesan
Liturgical Choir chants at an ecumenical Advent Service celebrating Christian
Witness at Westminster Abbey with His Majesty The King
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| Copyright: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
10 December 2025
His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos
OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United
Kingdom and the Coptic Orthodox Diocesan Liturgical Choir were present at a
special advent service in Westminster Abbey on 10 December 2025, celebrating
Christian Witness, with His Majesty King Charles III in attendance.
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| Copyright: Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London |
In his message to the congregation, His Majesty King
Charles III, said:
“It is a great joy to gather with you in the most glorious setting of
Westminster Abbey as we celebrate the light, hope and, above all, the peace of
this season of Advent.
This period is one of preparation, of readying ourselves and looking
forward to the wonder of Christ’s birth. Today, we gather for prayer,
reflection and music, and to celebrate the Good News in which all Christians
rejoice: those around us, and those in areas where it is not easy to live out
one’s faith. I am so pleased to be joined by church leaders from across the
U.K. and Middle East, leaders of other faiths, charity representatives, and so
many of you who contribute to your communities in a myriad of ways.
We come together this morning to lift our voices in that magnificent
Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. The Hebrew word ‘Emmanuel’ means
‘God is with us’. He is with us in our sorrows and in our grief. As we sing
today, we anticipate Christ’s coming into our world, in everlasting hope that
He will:
Dispel the
long night’s lingering gloom,
And pierce the shadows of the tomb.
May I wish you and your families every blessing of peace, joy and love in this holy season.”
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| Copyright: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
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| Copyright: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
The service was attended by approximately one thousand people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds, and carried on an annual tradition of celebrating advent with a focus on diverse Christian Witness, in the presence of His Majesty the King.
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| Copyright: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
Speaking of the relevance and
importance of these annual advent services, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos
said:
“I remember
being contacted by the office of His then Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales,
regarding his desire to visit our community to express solidarity with
Christians of the Middle East. That, in and of itself, was an incredible
gesture and one that was so encouraging, not only to our own community, but to
other communities that have been visited since then. The fact that these services
have continued since 2013, with His Majesty returning to us in his Coronation Year
in 2023, is testament to his commitment to the support of Christian communities
around the world, but also to his commitment to an engagement with communities
here in Britain and the importance he places on engagement at that level.
During this
year, which marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, it is
particularly important that Christians gather, and to be together within
Westminster Abbey is both encouraging and provides a greater sense of unity.
We have so
valued these services, and I pray that they will continue as a platform, not
only for communities to engage with His Majesty, but also to gather the
Christian family at a time during which we prepare to receive the Infant Christ
and the hope that He brings to the world.”
After the service His Eminence
Archbishop Angaelos had the opportunity to greet and speak with His Majesty,
and present him with an icon of the Blessed Nativity, written by iconographer
Fadi Mikhail.
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| Copyright: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
His Majesty The King, then His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, first visited The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2013 for the first of a series of advent services, after expressing concern about the challenges facing Christians in some Middle-East nations, and to meet members of those communities resident in the United Kingdom. King Charles III returned to The Centre on 5 December 2023 for an Advent Service and Christmas Reception attended by over six hundred guests from the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community in the United Kingdom, 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.
*Ends*
