This morning, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II prayed the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints John the Baptist and Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein) in the Polish capital, Warsaw. This comes as part of his pastoral visit to the Diocese of Central Europe, within his 2025 pastoral agenda.
The choir of deacons welcomed His Holiness upon his arrival with hymns, while joy filled the faces of the congregation as they received their father and shepherd, visiting to oversee and care for their community.
Participating in the Liturgy were His Grace Bishop Giovanni, Bishop of Central Europe, along with the accompanying Papal Delegation, Father Dawood Adeeb, Priest of the church, and Father Monk Macarius St. Bishoy.
His Holiness delivered the sermon, beginning with the Paschal greeting, “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!” He expressed his joy at being among the blessed congregation and spoke about the significance of the Feast of the Resurrection, explaining that believers celebrate it on four levels:
Daily (during Morning Prayer): Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection, which occurred at dawn on Sunday.
Weekly (on Sundays): Each Sunday is a remembrance of the Resurrection, referred to as “the day the Lord has made” or “the day of light.”
Monthly (on the 29th day of each Coptic month): Celebrating the Annunciations, the Nativity, and the Resurrection.
Annually: On the Feast of the Resurrection, known as “The Feast of Feasts” and “The Joy of Joys.”
His Holiness highlighted that “Thomas Sunday” is an invitation to renew one’s faith, often called “The Sunday of Renewed Faith.” He also addressed the spiritual challenges believers face, often used by the devil to battle God’s children:
Doubt: The devil tries to make people doubt God’s love, His tenderness, and His work in their lives. Doubt is a serious disease that can make one doubt themselves, their work, their family, and their church. His Holiness warned: “Beware of doubt. Build a strong relationship with Christ. Always stay close to your Bible and your confession father who guides you.”
Despair: Also known as the “there’s no hope” disease, leading to depression and isolation. But with God, there is no room for despair, because God loves every person by name, loves their work, and manages life for their good.
His Holiness encouraged the congregation: “Do not worry about anything. Your God is the Holder of all, Protector of your life, and the Manager of your days.”
His Holiness thanked His Grace Bishop Giovanni for his love and tireless efforts, and Father Dawood Adeeb for his blessed service, encouraging the Coptic community in Poland to remain committed to the Church and to raise their children within it.
He conveyed greetings from Egypt, emphasizing that despite challenges, Egypt continues to live in peace and stability by God’s grace.
He concluded: “Always be good ambassadors for your homeland wherever you are. Remain faithful to your faith, holding onto the Resurrection as a light, joy, and hope for your lives.”
The Church of Saints John the Baptist and Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein) was established through the significant efforts of His Grace Bishop Giovanni, who, since his consecration in 2017, worked to gather Coptic believers for the celebration of the Liturgy initially in a home. With the congregation’s support, they eventually acquired this church, where the first Liturgy was celebrated during the Feast of the Nativity in 2020.
Today, the church serves over 400 individuals, including 75 Coptic families spread across 14 cities and villages around Warsaw. They are served by Father Dawood Adeeb, who began his service on May 28, 2019. The church also offers Sunday School classes, hymn education, and a servants’ meeting.
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