H.H. Pope Tawadros II led the funeral prayers this morning (Tuesday) in St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo of the three monks; Hegumen Takla El-Samuely, Father Mina Ava Markos, and Father Yostos Ava Markos, who were martyred as a result of a criminal incident that occurred last Tuesday in the monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in South Africa.

The plane carrying the bodies of the monks arrived early this morning, and they were transported to the cathedral for the funeral prayers, which were conducted in the joyful tune for the Coptic Church’s celebration of the Glorious Feast of the Cross today.

28 bishops of the Church, as well as priests, monks, family members of the monks, and a large congregation participated in the prayers.

His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel, Metropolitan of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod, delivered a condolence speech on behalf of H.H. the Pope and the Holy Synod on the mourning of the three martyred monks. He also offered condolences to His Eminence Anba Antonious-Markos (Metropolitan of South Africa), and His Grace Anba Basilious (Bishop of the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor in Mount Qalamoun).

His Eminence thanked the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Aviation, Health, and the relevant agencies for their great efforts in following up the incident and completing all related procedures.

He also thanked His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and the representatives of the Christian sects for condemning the incident and offering condolences.

At the beginning of his speech, Pope Tawadros mentioned the verse: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

His Holiness said: “In the hope of resurrection, we bid farewell to these three fathers who left us during this holy fast and on this day whilst we celebrate the Feast of the Cross.”

He pointed out that death is the only fact in our lives, and it is what transports us to heaven. He said: “In the face of death, we affirm our faith in God, through whom we live, move, and have our being. Nothing is done on earth without Him. He is the one to which a person’s first and last breath belong. He is also beneficent, even if we do not see this goodness during some moments, which makes us ask: “Why Lord did this happen?” God replies: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this” (John 13:7)

He continued: “In our faith in God, we thank Him for every condition, concerning every conditions, and in every condition. God permitted this departure and martyrdom so that we become prepared for the moment of death, which we do not know will come when.”

Pope Tawadros added: “When we bid farewell to the monastic fathers, it is a special farewell, because when the monk enters the monastery, he says with our teacher Paul the Apostle: “Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). As you know, the prayers of the departed are prayed over a monk when he is ordained, considering that he died to the world, and his heart’s desire became to be with Christ, whom he left his family, friends and work for.”

His Holiness affirmed that despite the painful incident, what is consoling is that these three monks received the crowns of virginity, monasticism and martyrdom. He offered condolences on behalf of the Holy Synod and all ecclesiastical bodies to His Eminence Metropolitan Antonious-Markos, and the priests, churches, and congregation of the Diocese of South Africa.

Pope Tawadros also consoled the families of the monks, pointing out that their consolation is their children now being in heaven and praying for us.

He concluded by thanking the ministries and entities that followed the incident, and Ambassador Ahmed Al-Fadly; the Egyptian ambassador to South Africa.

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