H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed the Saturday Liturgy of the fifth week of the Holy Fifties today at the Church of Virgin Mary in Ard El Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo. This was in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the laying of its foundation stone by the Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III on May 29, 1975.
His Holiness arrived at the church this morning and was welcomed by its priests and church council. He unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the Jubilee occasion, then proceeded into the church accompanied by the chanting of the deacons’ choir, singing the hymn “Evlogimenos” (which is sung in honor of welcoming the patriarch) along with Resurrection hymns.
Nine of the Church’s bishops and the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo participated in the Divine Liturgy.
During his sermon, His Holiness said:
“Today we celebrate a blessed remembrance — the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the church’s establishment and the laying of its foundation stone by the late His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, which marked the beginning of a strong journey of service involving our esteemed bishops, priests, deacons, archons, and all the congregation.”
Regarding the Gospel reading from John 14:1–11, Pope Tawadros highlighted that in the fifth week of the Holy Fifties, the Church reminds us that Christ is the Way: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NKJV).
Christ is the true Way that leads to life: “Nor is there salvation in any other”(Acts 4:12).
Christ is mankind’s only way to Heaven: while all the world’s philosophies strive to improve life on earth, they do not lead to Heaven. Christianity begins and ends in Heaven.
“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” (John 3:16, NKJV).
In Christ, there is salvation from sin: Sin is the disease of the soul, and only through Christ can we be healed from it.
Christ offers us true life, not the counterfeit life the world offers. The world is full of falsehoods, but life in Christ is true and complete. That is why He asks man to give Him his whole heart (life): “My son, give me your heart ”(Proverbs 23:26).
Christ gives us a place in Heaven: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), so we may live with Him and the saints. This makes us constantly reflect on our place in Heaven. In the Lord’s Prayer we always pray: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven “(Luke 11:2).
His Holiness noted that the Church prepares us for Heaven — it is the embassy of Heaven on Earth. Through its worship structure and rites, the Church constantly orients us eastward — the direction of Christ’s coming. The iconostasis, filled with the icons of the saints can be considered as forming the church’s front row, encouraging us to complete our spiritual struggle and reach Heaven when we see them. Through the altar, we enter God’s house and partake of the Bread of Life from Heaven as well as through the prayers arranged by the Church — communal and personal — whether in the Agpeya, the Divine Liturgies, Vespers, praises, readings, hymns, venerations, and revival seasons.
Thus, when we build a new church, we are preparing the person for life in Heaven and also for a wholesome earthly life, to be a good citizen of their country.
He concluded by offering congratulations on the Golden Jubilee, noting that the Church of Virgin Mary in Ard El Golf is a beacon among Coptic churches, offering a service with the fragrance of Christ.
After the sermon, His Holiness, the bishops, and the church priests signed the Golden Jubilee document.
Following the Liturgy, Pope Tawadros attended the celebration held by the church for the occasion. The church’s choirs jointly presented a collection of hymns and spiritual songs, including a special hymn written for the Jubilee. His Holiness encouraged them.
Hegumen Angelos Roshdy, the church’s senior priest, delivered a word of love and thanks. A documentary titled “The Harvest” was screened. It illustrated the church’s journey from its inception as an idea in 1965 to the laying of the foundation stone in May 1975, and through the phases of construction to the services it offers today. Father Moussa Haroun also presented an overview of the church’s internal and external services.
The church’s priests presented a gift to His Holiness for the Papal Library — a collection of books gathered from the church congregation, in response to His Holiness’s call to the Coptic congregation to contribute their old books.
His Holiness concluded by giving a word of appreciation and thanks to everyone.
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