Today (Saturday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II consecrated the Church of Saint Mina in the Fleming district of Alexandria.

Upon his arrival, the clergy of the church received His Holiness with reverence, while children presented to him bouquets of flowers in a gesture of welcome. Pope Tawadros proceeded directly to the commemorative plaque marking the consecration of the church, which he blessed by making upon it the sign of the Cross. Photographs were then taken of His Holiness surrounded by the bishops, priests, and members of the church council.

Afterward, the procession of His Holiness entered the church, led by the choir of deacons chanting hymns of welcome for the patriarch. The congregation greeted Pope Tawadros as he walked through the central aisle, and he blessed them with the sign of the Cross.

The consecration prayers then commenced, with the participation of four bishops of the Church. Three altars were consecrated:

1. The main altar, in the name of Saint Mina.
2. The northern altar, in the name of the Archangel Michael.
3. The southern altar, in the name of Virgin Mary.

In addition, the icon of the Pantocrator above the eastern wall of each sanctuary was consecrated, along with the icons of the iconostasis and those placed within the nave of the church.

In his speech following the consecration, His Holiness reflected upon the meaning of its rites and expressed gratitude to the priests of the church, its council, the deacons, and the archons, remembering with honor the late Hegumen Antonious Saad, who had served the church and initiated its expansion and development.

Pope Tawadros and the bishops signed the consecration document, after which the Divine Liturgy began. In his sermon, His Holiness expressed his joy at consecrating the church, describing it as “a church of service ” that has ministered to the community of Alexandria for many decades. He noted that in the Coptic lectionary, the readings of the second half of the final month of the Coptic year (Mesra) often speak to us about the Kingdom of God. Drawing from the Gospel of the day, he posed the question: “Who among us will have a share in heaven?” and he identified five categories of people who shall inherit this blessed portion:

1. The Penitent: “The heart is like a closed treasury, hidden within the chest. None knows what is inside it except the person himself, and none sees it except God. According to what is in this heart, the destiny of man is determined. The monastic region in Wadi El-Natrun is called the Desert of Scetis, and the word Sheeheat means ‘the weighing of hearts,’ signifying that a person must weigh (examine) his heart to discern what is within it. Therefore, keep your heart in repentance.”

In monastic tradition, a novice is often tasked with the laborious work of purifying a sack of rice—an exercise requiring patience and endurance. Through this process, the monastic novice learns patience and the virtue of purifying the heart from impurities

2. The Loving: This refers to those who love Christ, for “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). The love of Christ is wondrous, for within us there is nothing that merits such love. As Saint John declares, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Whoever truly loves Christ loves all people without exception—regardless of gender, appearance, language, belief, or color—simply because they are God’s creation.

This love is manifested through many behaviors and deeds, such as works of mercy, acts of assistance, and other forms of kindness. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). That is, we are called to love by genuine action.

These are the loving ones who extend love in their homes, in the church, in society, and in every place where they are found
In the world, promotion is viewed as an ascent, where one begins in a lowly position and gradually rises to higher ranks. In Christian thought, however, promotion is directed downward. This principle was established by our Lord Jesus Christ when He washed the feet of His disciples, teaching them an important lesson. Therefore, the highest degree of promotion is found in bowing down and washing the feet of others—with humility and genuine love.

3. The Worshippers in Praise: Those who live in a spirit of constant prayer and praise. The Coptic Church is distinguished by its richness in prayers and hymns that nourish the whole being. Prayer may be offered:

-In a single word: “Kyrie eleison” (Lord, have mercy).
-In a phrase: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
-In passages from the Agpeya prayers.
-Through music: hymns, praises, doxologies, and spiritual songs.
-By bodily expressions: the sign of the Cross, raising of hands, prostrations, and so forth.

4. The Living Gospel: Those who study the Holy Scriptures and live by them, so that the Gospel becomes their very life. They read it, memorize it, meditate upon it, and speak its words, until their very language becomes the language of the Gospel. Of such a one it may be said, as Saint Paul writes, “You are our epistle… known and read by all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2). Saint Father Bishoy Kamel described such a life as “a living Gospel.”
5. The Evangelizers: Those who carry the Gospel to others, filled with love for Christ and the knowledge of His salvation on the Cross, desiring to share it with all. Such was Saint Mark the Apostle, whom we call “the Evangelist.” Today, our Church continues the mission of evangelism in thirty-five countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, through priests and servants who dedicate themselves to this ministry.

In conclusion, these five attributes are united in the humble soul. Saint Pakhomious, the father of communal monasticism, affirms this truth, saying: “With humility comes joy.”

Pope Tawadros concluded his sermon by thanking the clergy, the archons, and all who contributed to the renewal and completion of the church.

Following the liturgy, a celebratory event was held in honor of the consecration. Hegumen Athanasius Fahmy spoke on the history of the church and its unique features, particularly its four altar pillars dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries. He noted that the church is also distinguished by being the first in the Coptic Church to establish a library, a theater, a playground, and a scouting service, and it was here that the late Pope Shenouda III gave his first sermon at the inauguration of the Theological Seminary in Alexandria.

Hegumen Mina Youssef then presented a brief account of the restoration and renovation works of the church and its service building. H.G. Bishop Hermina, General Bishop for the East Alexandria Churches, expressed his deep appreciation—on behalf of the clergy and congregation of Fleming—for the paternal care of His Holiness and for his blessing in consecrating their church. He further extended thanks to all attendees and contributors.

A documentary was then shown, recounting the history of the church, one of the oldest in Alexandria, founded in 1948 as a small dream built of living stones.

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