H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon during the Wednesday meeting this evening at the Church of Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph the Carpenter in Smouha, Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel of the Church’s Media Center.
His Holiness led the Vespers prayers, with the participation of Their Graces Bishop Bavly (General Bishop of the Montazah Sector Churches), and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of East Alexandria Churches), along with Hegumen Abram Emil (the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the church’s priests, a number of priests from Alexandria, the church’s deacons’ choir, and a large gathering of Alexandria’s youth who filled the church.
Before the sermon, Fr. Youannes Tadros, priest of the church, welcomed His Holiness, appreciating his care for all categories of Coptic youth in Egypt and abroad. Then Fr. Kyrillos Roshdy, coordinator of the Alexandria Youth Forum, presented the idea and origin of the forum. Following that, Hegumen Abram Emil welcomed Pope Tawadros again, thanking him for his eagerness to participate in the Youth Forum and highlighting the Church’s vital role in serving the nation, citing several honorable Coptic figures who have served Egypt and the world.
Before starting the sermon, His Holiness expressed his joy at visiting the church and participating in the Alexandria Youth Forum through the Wednesday Meeting.
He continued his series: “Stories of the Planted Tree,” and today’s topic was “The Crown of Martyrs.” Pope Tawadros read from (1 John 5:1–4). He also referenced the phrase from the Introduction to the Creed: “Glory to You, O our Master and our King, Christ: the pride of the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the joy of the righteous, the firmness of the churches, the forgiveness of sins.”
His Holiness spoke about the Era of Martyrdom during the Roman Empire, especially under the reign of Diocletian in 284 A.D., noting that the two countries that offered the most Christian martyrs were Egypt and Palestine, beginning with the children of Bethlehem during the birth of Christ.
Pope Tawadros added that Christianity was established through sweat and toil (the preaching of the apostles) and the shedding of blood (martyrdom).
He continued by highlighting examples of martyrs of the faith, such as Saint Polycarp, Saint Peter I (the 17th Patriarch) who assumed the papal throne in 301 A.D., the martyrs in Libya, and chastity martyrs like Saint Demiana and the Forty Virgins, referencing (Revelation 2:10): “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
His Holiness pointed out three crowns:
-The Crown of Righteousness (Virtue)
-The Crown of Life (Faithfulness)
-The Crown of Glory (Heavenly Honor)
Pope Tawadros then explained how we can attain these crowns:
- Keep your faith strong.
- Serve and trade with your talents, as in (Matthew 25:21): “You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
- Preserve your correct principles.
- Bear witness through your life and be a living testimony of faith.
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