Today (Monday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II consecrated the Church of Saint Anba Abraam in Fayoum, on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of his departure.

The new church was built in the monastery of the Virgin Mary and the Martyr Abu Sefein in Al-Azab; Fayoum, commonly known as the “Monastery of Anba Abraam.” Its building consists of two floors. The church consecrated today occupies the first floor of it. It is square-shaped, and there are no pillars in the nave of the church. Its area is 2500 square meters, and contains three altars. A new shrine for Saint Anba Abraam is attached to it.

Pope Tawadros unveiled the plaque chronicling the consecration and opening of the church, which was written in Coptic, Arabic and English. He then cut the ribbon, and the procession entered the nave of the church amidst the deacons singing the tune of the Resurrection, while ululations filled the church to welcome and celebrate His Holiness.

Pope Tawadros participated in the consecration prayers and the liturgy that followed, along with His Eminence Anba Abraam (Metropolitan of Fayoum and the abbot of its monasteries), 19 bishops, priests from within and outwith the Diocese of Fayoum, a number of monks of the Monastery of the Archangel Gabriel in Naqloun, the choir of deacons of the Diocese of Fayoum, and its congregation who filled the new church and whose presence extended outside it also.

The main altar was consecrated in the name of Saint Anba Abraam (Bishop of Fayoum and Giza). The other two altars were consecrated in the name of Saint Mary the Virgin, and Father Mikhail El-Beheiry (the disciple of Saint Anba Abraam). The icons of the Pantocrator were also consecrated in the bosom of the Father in the three altars, in addition to the icons of the iconostasis located at the door of the sanctuary, as well as the icons in the nave of the church.

Pope Tawadros and the bishops of the Church signed and dated the consecration document. The church will store this in its records, as His Holiness the Pope indicated.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ansari (the Governor of Fayoum and University President), the governate’s military advisor, the security and executive leaders, and a large number of members of Parliament were present during the liturgy to welcome Pope Tawadros and congratulate him on the consecration of the church.

After the consecration, the Divine Liturgy began. His Holiness read the Gospel of the Liturgy, and delivered a sermon, at the beginning of which he said: “This day is a day of joy as we celebrate the Holy Fifties, the approaching Feast of the Ascension, the Feast of Saint Anba Abraam (the friend of the poor and lover of giving), and the consecration of the church.

His Holiness thanked the leaders and representatives of the Fayoum Governorate who came to welcome and congratulate him on the consecration of the church. He highlighted that building a new church is an opportunity to worship and glorify God, as man is the only living being that prays. When we raise our hearts to God, worship Him and have a good relationship with Him, the fruits of this relationship appear in our dealings with others, and thus society becomes in a better condition.

Regarding the Egyptian people, Pope Tawadros said: “The Egyptian people are an authentic nation, and it was said about them that Egypt came and then history followed. We live together lovingly as neighbours around the Nile and on the land.” He added: “Within the Egyptians, seven layers of civilization have accumulated; Pharaonic, Christian, Islamic, African, Mediterranean, Roman and Greek. These made the Egyptian personality a rich one.”

His Holiness thanked the engineers, technicians, workers, and everyone who worked hard in establishing and building the church.

He pointed out that the theme of the Liturgy’s Gospel was joy, and joy has three main reasons:
The person of the Lord Christ: when you establish a relationship with Him in prayers, you rejoice.
The teachings of the Lord Christ: He is the good teacher and the Gospel is the joyful news.
The works of the Lord Christ: His works gave us joy, so we must do works that make others joyful.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ansari, Governor of Fayoum, delivered a welcome speech, in which he expressed his happiness at the visit of His Holiness the Pope. He confirmed His Holiness’ words that building places of worship is something that builds society and brings us closer to each other. Therefore, the Egyptian state is keen to allow the construction of places of worship, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, praising what His Holiness said about the Egyptian nation and their heritage. He called on everyone to always remember these valuable words.

After the liturgy, Pope Tawadros honored the engineers and technicians who worked hard in the process of building the new church. The choir of Saint Mina’s Church sang some church hymns.

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