Press
Release
For
immediate use
17
December 2013
Coptic Orthodox
Church UK
Media and
Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox
Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
visited The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom on 17 December
2013 after expressing concern about the current challenges facing Christians in
some Middle-Eastern nations, and to meet members of those communities resident
in the United Kingdom. His Royal Highness was accompanied by His Royal Highness
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan.
During this historic visit, HRH The
Prince of Wales and HRH Prince Ghazi were received at The Centre by His Grace
Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United
Kingdom, with numerous official, government, ecumenical, and interreligious
guests, along with members of the Coptic Orthodox clergy and community.
The visit began with a traditional
prayer service, followed by a showcase of the vast number of ministries and
strands of services operating under the umbrella of the Coptic Orthodox Church
in the United Kingdom including, among others, benevolent work, relief and
development, advocacy, youth ministry and inter-religious and
ecumenical relations.
Following this, Bishop Angaelos
presented two Coptic icons to Their Royal Highnesses, with an icon of Saint
George gifted to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and His Royal Highness
Prince George.
During the course of the visit there
was a private meeting held to discuss the current situation in Egypt and the
Middle East and contributions that could be made to offer viable solutions for
those affected in the region. This was followed by afternoon tea in Shephalbury
Manor during which the Prince of Wales unveiled a commemorative plaque marking
the visit, and signed the official guestbook.
Commenting on the visit, Bishop
Angaelos said:
"I am thankful for the visit of His
Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to our Coptic Orthodox community here today,
as it celebrates its presence in, and contribution to the United Kingdom, and
sheds light on the increasing struggles facing Christians in the Middle East,
the birthplace of Christianity. I am also appreciative of Prince Ghazi’s visit.
As
we approach the Feast of the Nativity, we are also reminded that this is a time
in which many in the Middle East are affected by war and conflict, but as His
Royal Highness highlighted today, Christians in the region remain resilient and
faithful despite the challenges faced.
With
respect to Egypt, despite numerous attacks on their loyalty, Christians
continue to be an integral and stabilising component of their society and have
responded graciously to continued and escalating attacks, proving their commitment
to a legitimate process of change.
Believing
that there is always hope, we pray for this spirit of collaboration and
cooperation to be a springboard to greater advocacy for, and representation of,
those who do not have opportunities for their own voices to be heard, but
rather rely on us to amplify those voices."
Addressing the Coptic community, His
Royal Highness The Prince of Wales said:
"Today
I just wanted to join you to express my deepest concern and deepest sympathies
and solidarity with all of you because I know you will have relations in Egypt and all I can tell
you is that we pray with all our heart for their safety and for their
continuation in a country where Coptic Christians have played such a vital part
for hundreds and hundreds of years.
They
often build bridges between different groups and religions, and if I may say so
I have been so full of admiration and respect for the way in which the Coptic
Christians have been so full of forbearance and longsuffering that is quite
remarkable, and the lack of retaliation even more remarkable. And for that, I
think we owe all of you a remarkable debt, not only gratitude, but respect for
living out your Christian Faith in the way that you do."
The service was attended by The Lord
Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, The Countess of Verulam, The Lord Bishop of
London, The Right Reverent and Right Honourable Richard Chartres, The Bishop of
St Albans, members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, heads and
representatives of numerous Christian Churches and denominations, as well as
inter-religious guests, and representatives of governmental and
non-governmental organisations.
Following the visit is a reception at
Clarence House where Their Royal Highnesses will be joined by guests
representing Christians from Egypt, including Bishop Angaelos, as well as from
Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Palestine and Israel.
*Ends*
For more
information about The Prince of Wales please visit www.princeofwales.gov.uk
