Today (Saturday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II consecrated the Church of Saint Rebekah and her Children in New Salhiya; Sharqia, which belongs to the Diocese of Sharqia and the 10th of Ramadan City.

His Holiness blessed the plaque that marks the consecration of the church, by drawing the sign of the Cross three times in the name of the Trinity. His Holiness’ procession entered the church, led by the choir of deacons, singing the church tunes of welcoming the patriarch. This was amid the great happiness and warm welcome of the church’s congregation.

Participating in the consecration prayers and the Liturgy, in addition to His Grace Anba Makar (Bishop of the Diocese), were four bishops, the church’s priests and other priests too.

The main altar in the big church was consecrated in the names of Saint Rebekah and her five children. The other two altars were consecrated in the names of St Pope Dioscorus & St Severus of Antioch, and Saints Joachim and Anna.
The central altar in the small church was consecrated in the names St Marina the Martyr and St Marina the nun. The other two altars were consecrated in the names of St Philopateer Mercurius Abu Sefein, and St Abanoub El-Nehisi. The icon of the Pantocrator was also consecrated in the eastern niche, as well as the icons in of the iconistasis and throughout the church.

Pope Tawadros then headed to the baptismal font of the church and consecrated it in the name of St John the Baptist. Following this, His Holiness and the Fathers signed the document for the consecration of the church.

H.G. Bishop Makar delivered a talk after reading the Gospel of the Liturgy, in which he welcomed His Holiness the Pope, saying: “Rejoice, O land of the Sharqia, the Father of Orthodoxy has come to you; Pope Tawadros (Pope of Alexandria), bringing us heavenly blessings here in the city of Salhiya.” He added: “Although Salhiya was not one of the stations in which the Holy Family stayed, it was their entry and exit during their journey to Egypt and their return to Palestine.” His Gracr thanked Dr. Mostafa Madbouly (Prime Minister), the late Engineer Nabil George and the late Engineer Shokry Fawzy for their cooperation and what they provided for the licensing and establishment of the church. He praised God’s work through the intercessions of Saint Rebekah in all the steps of establishing the church, with the support and sincerity of the people of the church in Salhiya.

Pope Tawadros meditated on the Gospel of today’s Liturgy, which included the words of the Lord Christ, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” He said that there are duos with which we buy our lives, just as two farthings bought five sparrows. These are:
• Raising your two hands (prayer)
• The Two Testaments (the word of God)
• Fasting on two days (Wednesdays and Fridays)
• The two loves (serving with love of God and love of man)
• Practicing the two sacraments (repentance and purity through the sacraments of Confession and Communion).

After the Liturgy, the Governor of Sharqiya, Engineer Hazem Al-Ashmouni, came to the church to welcome His Holiness, where a lovely meeting was held. It was attended by H.G. Bishop Makar and H.G. Bishop Timothaous, Bishop of Zagazig and Minya Al-Qamh.

Pope Tawadros met with the priests of the Diocese of Sharqiya and 10th of Ramadan following the Liturgy. He delivered a talk to them, answered their questions and discussed some points with them.

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