Today (Thursday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II received Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, along with the participants of the third edition of the Youth Diplomacy Program of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, at the Papal Residence in Cairo. The delegation consisted of 130 young men and women.
Dr. Sobhy praised the patriotism of Pope Tawadros, referring to his historic statement: “A homeland without churches is better than churches without a homeland.” He emphasized that His Holiness is a national figure to be emulated.
For his part, Pope Tawadros provided the young attendees with an overview of Egypt’s rich history and the origins of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He explained the symbolism of the colors of the Egyptian flag, emphasizing that “the Egyptian flag unites us all.” His Holiness also briefly reviewed the seven civilizations that have shaped Egypt, highlighting its unique cultural blend—beginning with Pharaonic Egypt, followed by Coptic and then Islamic Egypt. He pointed out the evolution of language in Egypt from Pharaonic to Coptic, and later to Arabic in the 10th century AD.
His Holiness also discussed the history of the Coptic Church, noting that the birth of the Lord Christ divided history into “Before Christ” (BC) and after it (AD). He recounted the journey of the Holy Family to Egypt, where they stayed for three years, six months, and ten days, making Egypt a blessed land, as they drank from the Nile and breathed in its air. Pope Tawadros emphasized the special attention given by the Egyptian state to the trail of the Holy Family.
Pope Tawadros touched on two fundamental aspects of the Church’s history:
– Martyrdom: The Coptic Orthodox Church has offered the largest number of Christian martyrs.
– Monasticism: The Church established the world’s first monastic system, with the first monk being the Egyptian Saint Anthony. From Egypt, monasticism spread worldwide.
His Holiness also provided an overview of the Holy Synod and the Church’s global presence, stating that today, the Coptic Orthodox Church has more than 500 churches and monasteries outside Egypt, along with schools, hospitals, and community services offered in Egypt’s name.
He affirmed the balanced relationship between the Church and all state institutions, commending the love and cooperation between the Church, His ExcellencyPresident Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the government, Al-Azhar, and other Christian denominations. He expressed gratitude to God for the nation’s safety and stability.
At the end of the meeting, Pope Tawadros answered the youth’s questions, offering insights and ideas to enhance their awareness and national culture.
He advised the youth to seek knowledge, read, and search for the truth, rather than relying solely on information from social media. He remarked that “Egyptian youth are the true revolution and the gold of the nation,” wishing them success as future ambassadors.
Finally, His Holiness presented the youth with a commemorative medal bearing the image of the Holy Family in Egypt, symbolizing the blessings of this visit and the importance of their connection to their nation’s deep-rooted history.
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