H.H. Pope Tawadros II expressed the pain that everyone experienced as a result of the martyrdom of Fr. Arsanious in Alexandria a few days ago.
That was at the beginning of HH’s sermon of the weekly Wednesday meeting that was held this evening at the papal residence in the monastery of St. Anba Bishoy in Wadi Natroun.
H.H. called on all concerned authorities to work on the preservation of the peace of society, especially the matters that concern religion, referring to kidnappings, and what is published in newspapers or broadcast on channels and social media.
H.H. noted to the historical national role of the Coptic Church, which has always carried the concerns of the nation and contributed to facing its challenges throughout history.
H.H. declared that:
“During this week, we suffered from the attack on Fr. Arsanious Wadid in Alexandria. Actually, he was one of the loving Fathers who had a great role in service, but we always have hope in God and know that he sees everything and of course, we are waiting for the investigations that are happening and hoping that it is carried out with accuracy and its result will be announced to the public.
We take advantage of this opportunity to ask and hope from all responsible authorities to maintain peace in society, Egypt, especially in religious matters and what relates to it. I do ask and hope that these authorities do a very accurate and specific detection of whatever is published weather in newspapers, broadcasted on channels or programs, or even on social media. In addition to the cases of disappearance and kidnappings which need accuracy due to their sensitivity as it affects negatively the unity of people; the matter needs to seriously stop.
I know that the security authorities have done a great effort in so many cases and avoided the negative effects that may have happened by it, and we hope that the same would happen here.
We are in days of fasting and worship, and the Providence of the Almighty wanted these blessed days to be for all Egyptians. Therefore, it is not appropriate to publish articles or broadcast videos that harm or offend any sector of the people in order to preserve the safety of society and the stability that our country is witnessing and to prevent the distortion of Egypt’s image before the world and ourselves first.
We live together in the new republic whose renaissance is being led by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with all officials in all sectors, may God protect them; this new republic is not only about the many projects or achievements that we are of course happy and proud of, but it is also about renewing minds and ideas throughout education, correcting concepts, developing people culturally and socially, and urging the strengthening of coexistence and true citizenship and preserving the bonds of national unity that it is the most valuable thing we have in Egypt and the criminalization of everyone who offends or touches these matters in the country and towards the people.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is the national church that bears the concerns of the nation and participates in confronting its challenges throughout history. Its authentic core is a witness to its deep role in serving the nation, protecting it, preserving its dignity, and presenting a bright image of it internally and externally.
We always pray on all occasions for Egypt, the homeland, and the Man, because religion is for religion and the homeland is for Man. May God protects our dear country from all evil.”

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