Today, the Diocese of Central Europe organized a special gathering at St. Mina Church in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, where His Holiness Pope Tawadros II met with members of the Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Maronite Catholic Churches. The meeting was attended by bishops, archbishops, and clergy from these churches, as part of His Holiness’ ongoing pastoral visit to Romania, the second stop in his current tour of the Diocese of Central Europe, which began last Friday in Poland.
His Holiness began the gathering by warmly welcoming all those present, saying:
“I welcome you all — members of the Coptic, Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Maronite Churches — from Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Romania, Armenia, Lebanon, and Palestine. May the blessings of the glorious Resurrection be with you all.”
Pope Tawadros then delivered a spiritual address centered on the Three Blessings we recite at the conclusion of every liturgy:
“The love of God the Father, the grace of the Only Begotten Son, and the fellowship, gift, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Love of God the Father
His Holiness emphasized that God’s love embraces all people — even sinners:
“The love of God is limitless. Christ is the lover of mankind, and God’s love encompasses everyone. Each day that the sun rises is a gift of love — He grants us life, health, the Church, friendships, and every blessing.”
He affirmed that the greatest expression of this love was the Resurrection of Christ, citing John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
He added, “God loved us to the extent that He came and dwelt among us, taking on flesh to become one of us. Even when we don’t understand the good in some situations, God, the Maker of Good, orchestrates everything for our salvation.”
The Grace of the Only Begotten Son
“Christ bestowed upon us many graces,” Pope Tawadros continued. “He performed miracles, taught the people, and met with men and women, young and old. He encountered Zacchaeus the tax collector, the Samaritan woman, and embraced children on Palm Sunday.”
Yet, the greatest grace He gave, His Holiness said, was the grace of the cross and redemption, through which He died for our sins and rose from the dead to grant us eternal life.
The Fellowship and Gift of the Holy Spirit
Pope Tawadros described the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life as sacred and essential:
“The Holy Spirit works in us, granting us grace through partaking of the holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Sacrament of Baptism, and the other holy sacraments, such as Matrimony. Each time we fast, pray, read the Bible, and repent, we deepen our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.”
He referenced a beloved Coptic hymn:
“Arise, O children of the light, let us praise the Lord of hosts, that He may grant us the salvation of our souls,”
affirming that every believer becomes a child of light through the work of the Holy Spirit. He concluded by urging everyone to continually thank God for all His gifts.
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