Press Release: HH Pope Tawadros II received by Her Majesty The Queen, His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, during his first pastoral visit to the United Kingdom

Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

                                Media and Communications Office

HH Pope Tawadros II received by Her Majesty The Queen, His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, during his first pastoral visit to the United Kingdom

17 May 2017

On his first pastoral visit, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118^th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, has been visiting Coptic Orthodox parishes and meeting with communities across the United Kingdom. Pope Tawadros has also consecrated churches, presided over Liturgies and Vespers services, and addressed hundreds of young people at a Coptic youth gathering.

During his visit, Pope Tawadros II was received by Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor Castle on 9 May. This historic audience with Her Majesty was also attended by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, and the Rt Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor. During the meeting HH Pope Tawadros II presented Her Majesty with a Coptic icon depicting the ‘Flight to Egypt’ of the Holy Family.

After the audience, Bishop Angaelos said:

“This meeting between Her Majesty and His Holiness is an embodiment of our Coptic Orthodox Church here in Britain, made up of those, many of whom will have roots in Egypt, who still feel connected to Egypt, but are very integrated as British Copts. I am personally thankful for this meeting that reinforces this composite and naturally organic identity at the highest level of our Church and nations.”

Photo credit: Coptic Church UK

Shortly after meeting with Her Majesty The Queen, Pope Tawadros was received by His Excellency Mr Nasser Kamel, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Kingdom, at a dinner and reception at the Egyptian Embassy in London. The reception was attended by Coptic clergy and laity, as well as the wider British Egyptian community.

Photo credit: Coptic Church UK

In the days following, Pope Tawadros was the Guest of Honour at a lunch in the Palace of Westminster, hosted by The Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who spoke in his address about the witness of Christians in the Middle East, saying:

“…we feel deeply united with you and your people in sufferings that you experience, and we pray for you very much. I know that connection extends beyond those who would call themselves Christians, to a solidarity of humanity with you and your people and a huge respect for, to quote another virtue from the Bible, the ‘patient endurance’ that you always express when these difficulties occur and your words of peace.”

The lunch was attended by members of the House of Lords, ecumenical guests and members of the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community in the United Kingdom. Following the lunch, Pope Tawadros laid a wreath at the Recording Angel memorial in Westminster Hall, in honour of PC Keith Palmer, who lost his life in the Westminster attack on 22 March 2017.

Photo credit: Coptic Church UK

During his stay Pope Tawadros received individuals and groups at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Hertfordshire, including the Coptic Medical Board and the Coptic Partnership for Relief and Development, both established by Bishop Angaelos with members of the Coptic community to ensure the highest level of collaboration for those most in need in Egypt. Among his meetings, His Holiness also received His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.

Photo credit: Lambeth Palace

On Friday 12 May, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II was received by The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, at a historic meeting in Lambeth Palace. During the visit, Pope Tawadros met privately with the Archbishop, later joining the rest of the Coptic delegation and ecumenical guests, when addresses were delivered. His Holiness signed the official guestbook with the words ‘Love Never Ends’, and presented a Coptic icon of the ‘Flight to Egypt’ of the Holy Family to Archbishop Justin.

During his address, Pope Tawadros II thanked the Archbishop for his hospitality and said:

“We are grateful to God for the co-operation, dialogue, and Christian love between our two Churches. We are hopeful and pray for more and more Christian unity globally and we believe it is possible through the love of God, and through the ecumenical blood of all Christian martyrs.”

In his address to His Holiness, His Grace the Archbishop commented on the resilient example of Coptic Christians in Egypt, saying:

“The experience of the Coptic people in Egypt is not only an example to the Body of Christ around the world, but also a profound inspiration. The courage of your people – their constant faith, their steadfastness, their long endurance – brings to life those words we read so often in the epistles of Saint Paul, and we are truly grateful and give thanks to God for you and for your people.”

Picture(s) by : Westminster Abbey/Picture Partnership.

Following the meeting at Lambeth Palace, the two Church leaders and their delegations, attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey at the invitation of the Dean of Westminster Rev Dr John Hall, walking side by side during the procession, and praying together at the shrine of St Edward the Confessor.

Evensong was followed by a general meeting led by His Holiness the Pope, with members of the Coptic community, in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey. The Pope gave a sermon and presented gifts to members of the community. Before the meeting, Pope Tawadros was officially welcomed by the Dean of Westminster who spoke of his solidarity with the plight of Christians in the Middle East and in Egypt, and spoke of unity, saying:

“The cause of unity between Christians is something which is dear to us and immensely precious. It is wonderful that in this 21^st Century, relations between all the Churches, develop so strongly and warmly together, and Your role, Your Holiness, in convening leaders of the Churches including Pope Francis and others has been an example to all of us.”

Photo by Mark Kessler

Photo by Mr Sami Gabriel

On 17 May, His Holiness the Pope, accompanied by Bishop Angaelos, was received by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Clarence House. In December 2013, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was received by Bishop Angaelos at The Coptic Centre in Stevenage for the first time, as part of a series of visits in which he sought to highlight the plight of Christians in the Middle East. His Royal Highness continues to be supportive in response to the suffering of Christian and minority groups in the region. 

At the commencement of the visit, an official vespers service was held in his honour at the Coptic Cathedral of Saint George in Hertfordshire. The event was held on 6 May 2017, and attended by members of the House of Lords, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, and various ecumenical and inter-religious guests.

Commenting on the visit as a whole, His Grace Bishop Angaelos said:

“It has been a blessing for the Coptic community here in the United Kingdom to engage with their shepherd. It was also an opportunity for His Holiness to meet his flock and to encounter some of the work being done under the various ministries within the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

I am thankful that the visit was fruitful and gave His Holiness an overview of the diverse and dynamic role of Coptic Christians across Britain who endeavour to live faithfully according to their Christian principles, while being fully integrated into their surrounding community. I am also pleased that we had the opportunity to learn from the example of peaceful yet powerful resilience that His Holiness and our brothers and sisters in Egypt demonstrate on a daily basis.” 

Photo by Michael Hani

More photographs available via www.Flickr.com/CopticMedia (Many more photographs and videos will become available over the coming weeks)

Press Release: Official Vespers Service and Youth Day in honour, and in the presence, of HH Pope Tawadros II at The Coptic Cathedral of Saint George

      Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

                                Media and Communications Office

Official Vespers Service and Youth Day in honour, and in the presence, of HH Pope Tawadros II at The Coptic Cathedral of Saint George

Photo Credit: Marcin Mazur

9 May 2017

As part of the first pastoral visit of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118^th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, an official vespers service was held in his honour at the Coptic Cathedral of Saint George in Hertfordshire. The event was held on 6 May 2017, following a gathering earlier that day of over six hundred Coptic youth from across the UK, who listened to a sermon by His Holiness on 'the Cross and the joy it brings.' There were also presentations from two youth choirs, both traditional and contemporary, along with video presentations outlining the various ministries that fall under the umbrella of ‘Coptic Youth Mission’. His Holiness also officiated a Eucharistic service at the Cathedral of Saint George on Sunday 7 May 2017.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, gave an introductory welcome at the start of the official vespers service, which was attended by members of the House of Lords, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, and various ecumenical and inter-religious guests.

In his address, His Grace Bishop Angaelos highlighted the role that the Coptic Orthodox Church plays in British society in its pastoral, ecumenical and official capacity. His Grace went on to thank the Pope for his resilience amidst trying times in Egypt, saying:

“We are blessed as Coptic Christians, because of the witness of Your Holiness and our sisters and brothers in Egypt. We are blessed because of your goodness, strength, faithfulness, and forgiving nature; and because of the life of Christ that is vibrant and alive in the midst of an often-increasing darkness.”

Elaborating on the targeted persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt, His Grace went on to say:

“We are being persecuted by some who do not want us to remain in the Middle East, but it is by no means the majority of Egypt. We have seen police officers, soldiers and simple men and women, not only Christians but Muslims, also dying. This targeting is of a cohesive way of life.”

His Grace concluded by addressing His Holiness directly, saying:

“You are an inspiration, role model, guide and father, and we thank you for joining us here, and give thanks to God for your continued witness.”

A message from The Right Honourable Theresa May, Prime Minister, was read during the service, followed by a fraternal message from The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, read by The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark.  

In his message, the Archbishop said:

“Your Holiness, we live in testing times. The suffering of Christians in Egypt has been acute in recent weeks. I am grateful for the witness of steadfast bravery and hope that you have shown. Your fellow Christians are strengthened by your faithfulness to the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and by your unswerving commitment to the worship of the triune God."

The Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, said in his message:

"In fact a large part of the body of Christ is hurting today, and so this is a time to express our deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church. We thank God for them!  We must renew our love for them – indeed for you, my brothers and sisters – and with you for those who oppress you. And we must renew our commitment to pray." 

In the Papal address, which was delivered in English, Pope Tawadros thanked all those who spoke during the service, and said:

“It is a great honour for me to be here today and a blessing for us all to gather together. This is a fulfilment of our Christian calling, which is to keep the “unity of spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

His Holiness spoke of the role that Egypt has played historically in its contribution to Christianity.

Pope Tawadros linked Egypt’s rich history to the way in which many Coptic Christians remain steadfast in their Faith today, saying:

“In the same way Coptic Christians have given their lives in martyrdom throughout the ages, they continue to be killed for their Faith today. Both teachings and martyrdom have contributed to the preservation of the Christian Faith.”

Speaking of the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church to Egypt, HH Pope Tawadros went on to say:

“We were all blessed by the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Egypt, and these visits, along with many others from sister Churches, make for continued good relations between our Churches, and also shed light on the rich history and ongoing role that Egypt has to play.”

Speaking more broadly on spiritual matters that affect our global humanity, His Holiness continued:

“The world today has become more hungry for love, especially as the life of technology has uncovered every aspect of the human being. In other words, the relation of man to machine became superior to the relation of human to human.”

“This dynamic has contributed to the increased violence and terrorism we experience in our world today. Together we must work to present the love of Christ for everyone, in any place, at any time. Therefore, we in Egypt depend on the words which Saint Paul, who instructs us that ‘Love never fails’ (1 Corinthians 13:8). Our relations, whether inside or outside Egypt, must depend on the notion that ‘love never fails’ and we must present love in action.”

Addresses were also delivered by The Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, His Excellency Mr Nasser Kamel, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Kingdom, His Eminence Mor Athanasius Toma Dawod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Co-Chair of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum, and His Eminence Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom. The service was followed by a reception at which guests conversed with His Holiness and met members of the Coptic Orthodox community.

His Holiness will visit Coptic Orthodox parishes across the United Kingdom, officiating liturgical services and performing several consecrations, while generally taking time to engage with parishioners. Pope Tawadros will also engage with various ecumenical, interfaith and official members of British society at a series of events planned throughout the course of his stay. 

Photo credit: Michael Hani

*Ends*

Photographs will be made available throughout the visit via www.Flickr.com/CopticMedia          

Statement by HG Bishop Angaelos following the murder of Ethiopian Christians by Daesh (IS) in Libya

For immediate use

20 April 2015

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, following the murder of Ethiopian Christians in Libya

20 April 2015

The confirmation of the murder of Ethiopian Christians by Daesh (IS) in Libya has been received with deep sadness. These executions that unnecessarily and unjustifiably claim the lives of innocent people, wholly undeserving of this brutality, have unfortunately become far too familiar. Once again we see innocent Christians murdered purely for refusing to renounce their Faith.

The Christians of Egypt and Ethiopia have had a shared heritage for centuries. Being predominantly Orthodox Christian communities with a mutual understanding of life and witness, and a common origin in the Coptic Orthodox Church, they now also share an even greater connection through the blood of these contemporary martyrs.

This sad news came on the day that His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in Egypt to personally express his condolences following the similar brutal murder of 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians in Libya by Daesh in February of this year. 

These horrific murders have not only touched the lives of those in the Middle East and Africa, but have led to a greater sense of solidarity among people and communities around the world. I am thankful, in the midst of this pain, that the ghastly nature of these crimes is bringing a greater rejection of them, and of any ideology that sanctions, justifies or glorifies brutality and murder.

As people of faith and none who respect humanity and life, we must continue to speak out against such appalling and senseless violence. As Christians, we remain committed to our initial instinct following the murder of our 21 Coptic brothers in Libya, that it is not only for our own good, but indeed our duty to ourselves, the world, and even those who see themselves as our enemies, to forgive and pray for the perpetrators of this and similar crimes. We pray for these men and women, self-confessed religious people, that they may be reminded of the sacred and precious nature of every life created by God.

Acts such as these do not only cause insurmountable pain to so many around the world, especially the families and communities of the victims, but can also create an even greater desensitisation in those perpetrating them to the suffering and pain which they cause. The will of God, Who created us in His own Image and likeness, can most certainly not be that we feel each other’s pain less or become desensitised to each other’s suffering.

We pray repose for the souls of these innocent men, a change of heart for those who took their lives, but above all we pray comfort and strength for their families and communities, and the many around the world who may not have known them, yet are left to mourn such a tragic and unnecessary loss of precious life.  

Having seen the courageous response of the families of the Coptic martyrs in Libya, we pray similar strength, courage and peace for all those suffering as a result of this brutal act, reassured that their loved ones will never be forgotten, having died as true martyrs and paying the ultimate price, hearing the joyful promise “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord.”[1]

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[1] The Holy Bible, Gospel of Matthew 25:21, NKJV

Press Release: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in Russia for historic visit

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
28 October 2014

​Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, accompanied by a papal delegation, arrived in Russia on 28 October 2014 ahead of a historic visit. 

HH Pope Tawadros will visit His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on 29 October 2014, marking 26 years since the visit of the previous Pope of Alexandria, His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III, who had participated in the celebration of the Millennium of the Christianisation of Russia and the baptism of St Vladimir.

His Holiness was met at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations in Moscow and His Excellency Dr Mahmoud El-Badry, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation, as well as Their Graces Bishop Kyrillos of Milan, Papal Exarch in Europe, and Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

Accompanying Pope Tawadros is a delegation comprising Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta and Their Graces: Bishop Raphael, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles and Papal secretary Father Angelos Ishak and official spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Fr Boules Haleem. 

From Moscow, Bishop Angaelos said:

“This fraternal visit is important because it marks the first visit of a Coptic Pope to Russia in 26 years and marks and demonstrates the depth of relationship between our two Churches and the many commonalities we share in our heritage and experience.”

Pope Tawadros will be received at the Egyptian Embassy on the evening of the 28 October 2014, and will undertake various official visits and pastoral engagements throughout the duration of his stay.

*Ends*