Today H.G. Bishop Selwanos, the bishop and abbot of the Monastery of St. Pakhomious el-Shayeb in Luxor, departed in the Lord at a good old age after contracting COVID-19. This morning H.H. the Pope wrote the following obituary for the honourable departed bishop after H.H learned of his departure:

‘H.H. Pope Tawadros II and the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church bid their farewell to heaven the thrice blessed and honourable bishop H.G. Bishop Selwanos, bishop and abbot of the monastery of St. Pakhomious (El-Shayeb), remembering his honourable ministry and the duration of his service as bishop and abbot of el-Shayeb Monastery, during which he fought the good fight having fulfilled his journey in faithfulness and devotion, [we] knowing and confident of his hearing of the divine voice saying to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matt. 25:21). Our sincere condolences to all the monks of the monastery and to its children and loved ones.’

At seven o’clock this evening, the funeral prayers took place at the Monastery of St. Pakhomious el-Shayeb in Luxor, for the thrice blessed departed bishop Selwanos who departed in the Lord this morning at the age of approximately 75, having spent 43 years in monasticism and 22 of the latter as bishop.

In attendance at the funeral were the following bishops: H.G. Bishop Youssab, General Bishop of Luxor; H.G. Bishop Pigol, Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary (Al-Muharraq); H.G. Bishop Ilarion, Bishop of the Red Sea; H.G. Bishop Philopateer, bishop of Abu Qurqas; and H.G. Bishop Reweis, General Bishop of Asia. 

Also in attendance at the funeral were monastic delegates from the monasteries of Al-Muharraq, Syrian Monastery (el-Suryan), St. Pakhomious (Edfu), St. George the Martyr (Balerisqat) and St. Mettaos el-Fakhoory in Esna, as well as priests from the dioceses of Luxor. H.G. Bishop Emmanuel, Metropolitan of the Coptic Catholics in Luxor and Thebes was also present.

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