Announcement: HG Bishop Angaelos to receive OBE for services to international religious freedom

Announcement

His Grace Bishop Angaelos to be conferred the honour of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to international religious freedom by Her Majesty The Queen.

13 June 2015

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom will be conferred the honour of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to International Religious Freedom by Her Majesty The Queen as announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published in the London Gazette on 13 June 2015.

Bishop Angaelos, who is conducting and speaking at the inaugural young adult’s convention in Vancouver, Canada, said the following in response to the announcement:

“I am humbled by this award because I see it as my role and duty to advocate for religious freedom as part of my ministry. While I am thankful for this great honour, it also comes with a sense of sadness that in the 21^st Century we still need to defend people’s God-given rights and freedoms in this way. I consider this an award to every person who has worked with and supported me along the way and pray that God rewards and blesses them for all they have done and all they will continue to do. I must also express my sincere gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen and the Prime Minister for considering this cause worthy of such public acknowledgement.”

The formal investiture will take place in the coming months.

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View this announcement online via www.CopticMediaUK.com 

Media coverage re HG Bishop Angaelos:

• ITV: Campaigning bishop is among people honoured in Hertfordshire
• BOB FM: Home Counties Recognised In Queen's Birthday Honours 2015
• The Guardian: Queen's birthday honours list 2015: OBE
• Herts & Essex Observer: Queen's Birthday Honours
• Freedom Declared: Bishop Angaelos: OBE for work on International Religious Freedom
• Heart: Queen's Birthday Honours List Released
• Daily News Egypt: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II honours 2 Egyptians
• Premier Christian Media: Coptic bishop 'humbled' by OBE
• Al Arabiya News:  Queen honors two Egyptians, Muslim woman in birthday list
• The Cairo Post: Queen Elizabeth II honours 2 Egyptians for outstanding service
• Christian Today: Queen's Birthday Honours include widow who forgave husband's murder
• The Orthodox Church News Network: Bishop Angaelos to receive OBE for services to international religious freedom
• Egyptian Streets: Queen Elizabeth II Honors Two Egyptians For Outstanding Contributions
• MCN: Queen Elizabeth honors Bishop Angaelos and Nemat Shafik
• The Comet: Campaigning bishop from Stevenage, sports stalwart from Hitchin among those honoured in Queen’s birthday list.
• Independent Catholic News: Coptic Bishop Angaelos awarded OBE in Queen's Birthday Honours List

Resources regarding HG Bishop Angaelos on international religious freedom:

• Video coverage of events/interviews with HG Bishop Angaelos: www.YouTube.com/CopticMediaUK

• Statements by HG Bishop Angaelos www.CopticMediaUK.com

• Twitter feed: @BishopAngaelos @CopticMediaUK

Press Release: HH Pope Tawadros II receives the title 'Defender of Pro Oriente' in Austria on 27 May 2013

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use 

28 May 2013

The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark received the title ‘Defender of Pro Oriente’ by the Pro Oriente Foundation on 27 May 2013 during his twelve day visit to Austria.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II was awarded the title of ‘Defender of Pro Oriente’ by His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna during a ceremony held by the Pro Oriente foundation in Vienna’s Archbishop’s Palace. The ceremony marks the tenth anniversary of the official recognition of the Coptic Orthodox Church by the Austrian parliament.

The Pro Oriente Foundation was established in 1964 by Cardinal Franz König (1905-2004) in order to maintain the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The award comes just weeks after Pope Tawadros visited His Holiness Pope Francis, 40 years after his predecessor, His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III, who signed the official Christological agreement with the late Pope Paul VI.

In his address, Pope Tawadros said: 

‘Unity is the norm and essence of our Christian identity and character, and separation is the exception to that norm’

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, accompanying His Holiness in Austria, said:

'We have seen yet another historic event as this award comes only weeks after His Holiness Pope Tawadros was received by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican. This visit, among those previous, indicates the firm commitment on all parts toward a realised unity and continued ecumenical dialogue and relations.' 

During his 12-day visit to Austria, Pope Tawadros will consecrate five Coptic churches, deliver numerous sermons, and on 28 May 2013, meet with Federal President Heinz Fischer at Hofburg Palace. On Saturday 1 June, His Holiness will pray the Divine Liturgy in St Mary Cathedral in celebration of the great Coptic feast ‘The entry of the Holy Family in Egypt’. On Sunday 2nd June Pope Tawadros will visit the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Efrem in the 13th District of Vienna before returning to Cairo.

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