H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting this evening, in St George’s Church; El-Shatby, Alexandria, which was filled with the congregation members. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the C.O.C channel of the Church’s media center on the Internet.

His Holiness prayed the raising of incense of the eve, with the participation of the general bishops supervising the pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Father Abraam Emil (the deputy general of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the priests of the church, and a number of the priests from Alexandria.

Before the sermon, Hegumen Bishoy Abd El-Masih, the priest of the church, welcomed the visit of His Holiness, noting that it was his third visit to the church. He explained that the church established the first service for expatriates in Alexandria in 1991, as well as the service of memorizing psalms with a musical tone. Then a video was shown of a group of psalms composed to church music by the church’s children’s choir team: “Te Rashi”

His Holiness listened to a presentation from a young man in high school from the church who presented a project in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, with which he won third place in the world in a competition recently held in China.

Hegumen Abraam Emil (deputy general of the Patriarchate in Alexandria) welcomed His Holiness, expressing his happiness at His Holiness’ concentrated service in Alexandria during the summer period. He reflected on three characteristics that characterize His Holiness, citing the clothing of Aaron the High Priest mentioned in Exodus 28. These are: the praying Pope, the Pope who manages his children and the Pope who teaches by example and education.

Pope Tawadros delivered the sermon, expressing his happiness at being in the church and thanking the church’s priests for the effort they put into the service, especially the service of the composed psalms.

His Holiness indicated that he began a new educational series entitled “Qualifications for Service” during the Fast of the Apostles. He addressed the second qualification of service, which is “purification of the heart.” Pope Tawadros reflected on the verse, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7).

His Holiness explained the importance of the heart as:
1- it reflects a person’s condition.
2- it is the greatest gift a person can give to God.

The signs of purity of heart include:
1- seeking excuses for others.
2- abundant love.
3- continuous repentance.
4- respecting everyone.
5- humility.

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