His Holiness Pope Tawadros II met today with members of the Coptic Orthodox Church residing in Serbia at the Church of Saint Mark the Apostle in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. The group consisted of around 130 young people and the visit came as part of his ongoing pastoral visit of the Diocese of Central Europe, which began on April 25.
So far, the Pope’s visit has included visits to Poland and Romania before reaching his third stop in Serbia, which began yesterday.
Present at the gathering were Bishop Giovanni, Bishop of the Diocese, the Pope’s accompanying delegation, Egyptian Ambassador to Serbia, Bassel Salah, and a number of leaders and members of the Serbian Church.
The Coptic youth welcomed the Pope with great joy. His Holiness expressed his happiness at meeting them, saying:
“I am very glad to see you here. You carry the name of Egypt and the Church wherever you go. Your presence here is a beautiful testimony to our people’s love of life and their diligence everywhere.”
During the meeting, the Pope learned in detail about the youth’s living conditions to ensure their well-being and offered fatherly advice, praising their perseverance and hard work—especially since most of them are from Upper Egypt and came to work about a year and a half ago, despite some having limited educational backgrounds. He said:
“God directs our lives. You are children of the Church and bear a great responsibility: to your homeland, your Church, and your work. Be faithful, and you will receive the crown of life, as the Scripture says: ‘Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life’ (Revelation 2:10).”
Pope Tawadros then shared three core pieces of advice, emphasizing:
“Faithfulness begins with words, thoughts, and deeds. Let your integrity be your motto in everything you do. Do not let deceit into your hearts—remember the Egyptian proverb: ‘The cheater’s house will never rise.’”
He continued:
“Remember the martyrs of Libya who remained faithful to their country and Church to the point of shedding blood, offering a powerful witness of faith to the world. They taught us that faithfulness is the most precious thing we possess. Always be faithful, and God will bless you, lift you up, and provide for you in ways you cannot imagine.”
The Pope then encouraged them with a warm, fatherly tone:
“You may be wounded or tired… but always think: choose the right path, hold on to your integrity, and make wise decisions. Your presence here is a chance to be a light—your behavior is the greatest testimony to your faith and your country.”
He stressed the importance of prayer, Scripture, and a strong connection to the Church as the foundation of spiritual life, saying:
“Let the Bible be your daily friend, your prayer be your strength, and the monthly liturgy you attend here be your anchor. Stay close to the Church, because the Church’s stability starts with stable families. The most beautiful thing is contentment and gratitude, while the hardest is complaining.”
He referenced the Prayer of Thanksgiving, saying:
“We never begin a prayer without giving thanks: ‘You have covered us, helped us, preserved us, accepted us, had compassion on us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.’ These seven great blessings teach us to live with satisfaction and gratitude, because thankfulness increases the blessings we already have.”
His Holiness also addressed the youth present and anyone considering emigrating from Egypt, especially those from Upper Egypt, reminding them that emigration is not just about seeking money.
“Not everything in life is measured by money. Some things are priceless—like being close to your family, your people, and your homeland. Money is a means, not an end. Life isn’t just numbers. Think carefully: Are you on the right path? Will this path bring you inner peace?”
He concluded:
“Think about your future as a family, not just as an individual. The family is the foundation of stability, and the Church begins at home. Choose the path that unites you with your family—the path that keeps your heart at peace. Whatever your choice may be, be faithful, because faithfulness is the secret to a blessed life.”
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness blessed each young person individually and prayed for their success.
This page is also available in:
العربية
