This morning, H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed the liturgy for the fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, known as the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, at the Church of Transfiguration in LOGOS Papal Center, located at the Papal Residence in St. Bishoy’s Monastery, Wadi El-Natroun. He was joined by newly ordained priests who are spending their forty-day period of preparation in the monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun and some other monasteries.
This event is part of a structured training program designed to prepare new priests for pastoral service. The group consists of 70 priests ordained at the beginning of Lent to serve in pastoral sectors in Cairo, Alexandria, the diaspora, and several dioceses in Upper and Lower Egypt.
Pope Tawadros inaugurated the training program on Friday evening with a lecture on key aspects of Coptic priestly service, titled The 7 Ks (in Arabic), which included:
- Holy Bible (Kitab Mokadas)– The priest’s reference, guide, and source of comfort.
- Church (Keneisa) –It is the Church of Christ, which the priest now represents in its order and discipline, upholding and elevating it through all his dealings and conduct.
- Kyrie Eleison – The prayer for mercy, symbolizing the priest’s life of continuous repentance.
- Catholicon (Katholikon)– Signifying the priest’s universal and inclusive pastoral role, through visitation, ensuring that all feel his fatherly care.
- Kiahk– Representing the spirit of watchfulness and praise, which should define the priest’s life.
- St. Mark’s See (Korsi MarMorkos) – Emphasizing the priest’s obedience to Church order with humility and submission.
- Evangelism (Kiraza)– Reflecting the priest’s missionary role, embodied in his service, conduct, and the fragrance of Christ in his life.
The training program for new priests aligns with Pope Tawadros II’s vision of equipping them with essential skills and knowledge before they begin their pastoral service. This comprehensive preparation includes spiritual, liturgical, administrative training, aswell as psychological and family counseling training.
Once the priests complete their liturgical studies, they undergo a one-week training program that consists of two main components:
- Church Governance and Institutional Work – Conducted by the team from the Coptic Institute for Church Governance and Development (COPTICAD).
- Family Protection Training – Led by the Eagles Foundation team.
After the training, the priests continue their studies through further readings, research, and spiritual retreats.
This page is also available in:
العربية
