This morning, H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed in the Church of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, in the New Residense of Milan Diocese.
This is the first liturgy to be prayed in this new church.
Sharing in the Liturgy alongside His Grace Anba Antonio (bishop of Milan) were: His Grace Anba Yolyos (General Bishop of Old Cairo and the Bishopric of Services), His Grace Anba Luka (Bishop of Southern France and the French sector of Switzerland), the Monk Father Kyrillos Anba Bishoy (Director of the Office of His Holiness the Pope), the monks and priests of the diocese of Milan, around 500 deacons from the diocese, and a number of the Coptic congregation in Milan.
His Holiness delivered the Liturgy’s sermon, at the beginning of which he expressed his joy at being amongst those present, saying: “I am joyful for praying this Liturgy, among the fathers the bishops, monks, priests, and this large number of deacons. It is a Liturgy for service, because the definition of the word ‘deacon’ is a servant.
His Holiness then addressed the topic of the importance of the presence of light in a person’s inner heart, because the spiritual life makes the deacon a successful deacon. He linked the relationship with Christ to five important meanings that are always said in the Litany of the Gospel: “For You are the life of us all, the salvation of us all, the hope of us all, the healing of us all, and the resurrection of us all.”
1) Our Life: every person represents Christ in his life, in any place, in any work, and at any age. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14+15). Each person must be a model and example in faith, purity, service, work, social relations, and every matter.
2) Our Salvation: Christ on the Cross accomplished salvation for the whole world: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).
In order for a person to enjoy the salvation of Christ, he must possess a pure heart through spiritual life, reading the Bible, prayers, practicing the sacraments and serving.
3) Our Hope: The person who always walks with God feels hopeful because the Cross is our hope and salvation. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). God can make a person start service and consecration with as little as an hour, then two hours, and increase little by little. “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1: 7,8).
4) Our Healing: A person may get tired physically, psychologically, or spiritually. He may move away from his homeland. God is able to heal all diseases, and prepare a person for service in any place. Man must obey.
5) Our Resurrection: God always grants man the power, ability, courage and resurrection from every weakness, until he becomes able to bear his responsibility and service.
His Holiness highlighted that the repetition of the phrase “all of us” is an expression of collectivity, and the voices of the deacons together in prayers and praises, like heavenly voices.
Regarding the service of the late Bishop Kyrollos, the former Metropolitan of Milan, His Holiness said: “Many of you remember with me, and His Grace Bishop Antonio for sure told you a lot about how hard the late Metropolitan Kyrollos worked at the beginning of the founding of this diocese, until the very small fruit became a large and fruitful tree. With you, His Grace Bishop Antonio will complete the journey with love, giving and faithfulness.
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