Today (Saturday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II consecrated the Church of St. Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein) and St. Macarius in the First Settlement area of New Cairo.

His Holiness blessed the commemorative plaque marking the consecration of the church by drawing the three signs in the name of the Holy Trinity. Pope Tawadros then entered the church in a procession led by the deacons’ choir, chanting the Church hymns of receiving the patriarch, amidst the joy and warm greetings of the congregation.

Seven bishops of the Church, the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo, along with the priests of the church and other clergy, participated in the consecration prayers and the liturgy that followed.

The main altar was consecrated in the name of St. Philopateer Mercurius (Abu Sefein). The other two altars were consecrated in the name of St. Theodore of Shotep, and St. George.

The icon of the Pantocrator in the three sanctuaries, as well as the icons in the iconostasis and throughout the church, were consecrated. Additionally, the murals depicting scenes and events from the Bible, which distinguish the newly consecrated church, were consecrated.

His Holiness then proceeded to the church’s baptistery and consecrated it in the name of St. John the Baptist. Following this, he and the fathers signed the official consecration document.

In his sermon during the liturgy, Pope Tawadros congratulated everyone on the monthly commemoration of the Virgin Mary (21st of each Coptic month) and on the Nativity Fast, which prepares us for the celebration of the Nativity Feast and receiving the Lord Christ.

His Holiness highlighted three tools the Xhurch uses to us for receiving the Lord Christ ’s birth:
1.⁠ ⁠Fasting: paying attention to oneself.
2.⁠ ⁠Biblical Readings: especially during the Sundays of Kiahk, which reveal God’s plan for humanity’s salvation.
3.⁠ ⁠Praise: in Kiahk, the Church praises Virgin Mary, whom we call “the pride of our race.”

Pope Tawadros emphasized that through the four major fasts (Nativity, Lent, Apostles, and Virgin Mary), the Church nourishes the spiritual senses—ears, eyes, mouth, and heart—helping us grow and advanve in our relationship with God.

In the sermon, His Holiness focused on the Nativity Fast, during which the Church nurtures the spiritual ears of believers. He highlighted that the most common messages we hear in the fast’s Sunday readings are related to the sense of hearing:

-“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9) — Third Sunday of Hatour (just before or at the beginning of the Nativity Fast).
-The rich young ruler who could not hear the Lord Christ’s invitation: “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful” (Matthew 19:22) — Fourth Sunday of Hatour.
-The Virgin Mary: an example of listening and obedience: “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word'” (Luke 1:38) — Sundays of Kiahk.

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