Today (Saturday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the graduation ceremony of the Tyrannus Orthodox Theological Seminary in Alexandria. The event was attended by the general bishops overseeing the pastoral sectors of Alexandria: His Grace Bishop Pavly (El-Montazah), His Grace Bishop Elarion (Western Alexandria), His Grace Bishop Hermina (Eastern Alexandria), and His Grace Bishop Elarion (Bishop of the Red Sea). Also in attendance were Hegumen Abraam Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), a number of priests, professors from theological colleges, and representatives of Coptic institutes.

The celebration included a speech by Hegumen Athanasius Fahmy George, the seminary’s head, who expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Pope. He provided a historical overview of the seminary, highlighting its role in offering sound Orthodox theological education.

The event showcased statistics about the seminary, including its graduates, current students, study systems, the faculty of fathers and lecturers, and the seminary’s services. Two graduates presented a podcast discussing the contrast between the superficiality of artificial intelligence-driven studies and the depth of theological research.

Father Boules Samuel, one of the seminary’s assistant lecturers, led a “Cultural Lounge” to explore the seminary’s impact on the lives, services, and spiritual lives of its graduates.

A video was shown to honor two late lecturers, the late Bishop Ishak and the late Dr. Saeed Hakim.

H.G. Bishop Bavly, the seminary’s shepherd, delivered a speech emphasizing the living role Terrance School plays in declaring the truth. He referenced the words of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy: “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

In his speech, Pope Tawadros offered three recommendations to all attendees, each based on a verse:
– “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) — they must taste the sweetness of the Lord.
– ⁠”Your speech betrays you” (Matthew 26:73) — present the Church as a valuable treasure with spirit and life.
– “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18) — live according to practical love.

At the conclusion of the event, His Holiness distributed certificates to the graduates, There are 284 graduates.

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