This morning, H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed the Divine Liturgy in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, with the participation of the general bishops supervising the pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Hegumen Abraam Emil (Deputy General of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), Hegumen Daoud Lamei, and a number of priests from Alexandria.
After the Prayer of Reconciliation, Pope Tawadros carried out the rites of the ordination prayers for 5 new priests; four to serve in the churches of Alexandria and another for evangelism in Asia. His Holiness also prayed the rites of the ordination of Father Serapion Shafiq as hegumen in the Church of Virgin Mary and Pope Cyril the Pillar of Faith in Cleopatra.
In the liturgy’s sermon, His Holiness expressed his joy today at the ordination of five priests during the Fast of the Apostles, which is the fast of service. He reflected on the unique nature of the priesthood. On this beautiful occasion, Pope Tawadros contemplated the signs of the nature of the priest’s service, which are:
1) Firstly to present Christ to the people every day and every hour through:
-Prayers offered constantly
-Church sacraments
-Sound Orthodox teaching
-Visitation
2)Secondly to resist sin in his life and the lives of its his congregation through:
-Continuous repentance
-Leading by example
-Obeying the Commandments
3) Thirdly to long for heaven every day through:
-A life of holiness
-The spirit of encouragement
-The spirit of joy
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