This afternoon (Wednesday) H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the graduation ceremony of a new cohort from the “Prodigal Son” service, which is the central service for recovery from addiction in Alexandria. This was in the presence of the general bishops supervising the pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Father Abraam Emil (the general deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), and a number of priests.

The celebration included some speeches, including a speech by Hegumen Father Theophilus Lofty (founder and head of the service), about the role and importance of service in preserving the family entity, and Father Youhanna Magdy, director of a number of service centers, who presented statistics about the service in the past year and about the vision of the service in the coming period. After this, some of the ex-addicts who are now in remission presented their experiences with how their lives have changed and the role of: “The Smart Son’s” service in it. His Holiness discussed things with them and encouraged them.

His Grace Bishop Bavly (head of the Anti-Addiction Service in Alexandria) welcomed His Holiness Pope Tawadros, thanking him for his continuous keenness to support and encourage this service. His Holiness concluded with a speech expressing his happiness with this service.
He taught the audience 3 phrases:
– My life is precious to Christ.
– I have a strong faith in Christ.
– I have great hope in the person of Christ.

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