H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed this evening (Sunday) the vespers of the feast of Saint Anba Abraam, Bishop of Fayoum and Giza (1881 – 1914), in his monastery (the monastery of the Virgin Mary, the martyr Abu Sefein, and Saint Anba Abraam) in the Al-Azab area in Fayoum.
His Holiness arrived at the monastery following his visit to the monasteries of Archangel Gabriel and Saint Anba Oor in Mount Naqloun, as part of his pastoral visit to the Diocese and monasteries of Fayoum, which began this morning.
The scout teams received His Holiness’ convoy, playing music to welcome his arrival.
After a short period of rest, Pope Tawadros headed to the church of the martyr Abu Sefein in the monastery to begin the vesper prayers, during which he anointed the container surrounding the body of Saint Anba Abraam, which was transferred after vespers to the new church, ahead of the church’s consecration by His Holiness tomorrow.
The evening witnessed the participation of 12 bishops of the Church, along with His Eminence Anba Abraam (Metropolitan of Fayoum and the abbot of its monasteries), priests from within and outwith the diocese, monks, deacons, and a large number of the congregation of Fayoum.
The “Ava Abraam” choir of the Diocese of Fayoum presented a group of Church tunes and hymns, before Pope Tawadros delivered a sermon, at the beginning of which he expressed his happiness at being in the Diocese of Fayoum to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the departure of Saint Anba Abraam, and the 60th anniversary of the Coptic Church’s official recognition of him as a saint.
His Holiness congratulated His Eminence Anba Abraam, Bishop of Fayoum and the abbot of its monasteries, on the 39th anniversary of his ordination as a bishop.
Pope Tawadros thanked the choir for the praises they offered, and he also thanked the security personnel and traffic police in Fayoum for their great effort in organizing the visit.
His Holiness reflected on the virtue of giving through God’s gifts to us, mentioned 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”. These are:
1) The grace of life (incarnation and salvation).
2) The grace of the Cross (forgiveness and mercy).
3- The grace of hope (through the Word of God).
4- The blessing of health (spiritual, psychological and physical through the Church).
5- The blessing of victory (Resurrection).
His Holiness went out to the courtyard of the monastery, and many people from the diocese were waiting for him. He blessed them in an atmosphere full of joy and warmth between a father and his children.
His Holiness then headed to the Creative Center of the Diocese of Fayoum and listened to an explanation from the center’s supervisor. Pope Tawadros encouraged them, praising their efforts and the services they provide.
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