H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly Wednesday sermon this evening from the Cathedral of St. Mark in Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast through Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel of the Church’s Media Center.
His Holiness led the prayers of the Vespers for the Feast of Nayrouz, with the participation of Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the churches of Montazah District), Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of the churches of East Alexandria), Bishop Mina (Bishop of the Diocese of Borg El Arab and Ameria), along with Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the priests of the church, some priests from Alexandria, the choir of deacons, and a large congregation who filled the church.
After the conclusion of the Vespers, His Holiness honored the top university graduates and recipients of higher academic degrees in various fields, in a celebration organized by the General Secretariat of Youth Service in Alexandria.
He also honored the winners of the annual competition “Read and Win,” organized by the “EMI” Center for Continuing Education under the supervision of Hegumen Antonios Fahmy.
In his Wednesday sermon, Pope Tawadros concluded the series “Stories of the Planted Tree”, which extended over twelve episodes. He read from the Second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, chapter 1, verses 3–7.
Today’s theme was “The Story of the Book of Sacred History. His Holiness spoke about various books that preserve the lives of the saints and their commemorations in the Church, as follows:
- The Synaxarium: This is the book of living history. It is read daily in the church and at home. Each day begins with the phrase: “On this day, we celebrate the commemoration of…”, followed by the name of a saint. It is therefore a book of joy. It creates a connection between us and those saints who were martyred or departed centuries ago. The Synaxarium began with the biographies of the martyrs, and later when St. Julius of Aqfahs collected the biographies of the saints in Egypt. It includes:
-The biographies of saints and martyrs.
-The commemoration of the translocation of their bodies or relics.
-The commemoration of the consecration of the first church in their name.
-Certain Church events, such as: the apparition of Virgin Mary in her church in Zeitoun on April 2, 1968, and the reception of the relics of the 21 Martyrs in Egypt on May 14, 2018.
-Additions of more contemplating saints, such as Pope Kyrillos VI. Thus, the Synaxarium is a book that continues to grow.
His Holiness gave a spiritual exercise: at home, read the life of the saint of the following day, and throughout the day repeat his or her praises and veneration, as though this saint is your companion for the day.
- The Difnar | Antiphonarium: Read in the Midnight Praises, it also contains the lives of saints, but in a chanted and melodic form.
- The Commemoration of the Saints in the Midnight Praises (Tasbeha).
- The Commemoration of the Saints in the Liturgy: Here the name of one woman; Virgin Mary, is mentioned, along with the names of holy fathers and defenders of the Orthodox faith throughout the ages.
- The Naming of Churches: Churches are named after saints, or after Biblical events such as the Annunciation, Nativity, or Transfiguration, as a beautiful Coptic tradition.
- Daily Hymns and Praises: Offered both daily and liturgically to the saints.
- Seeking the Intercessions of the Saints: They are a “cloud of witnesses” who support us in the life of holiness and faith. The front row in the church is represented by the Iconostasis, carrying the images of saints who look upon us and encourage us, as though these icons are windows into eternity.
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (1): “Be Filled with the Church, Study and Learn to Become Like Athanasius”
– On the occasion of 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea, how can the youth follow the example of the young Saint Athanasius in courage and steadfastness in the faith?
H.H. Pope Tawadros:
Athanasius, whose name means “the immortal,” was the twentieth Pope of Alexandria. He was a young man like us, and he learned in his home how to be nourished by the Church. It is important that we are filled with the Church from childhood, so that we may be filled with the Lord. “The satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb” (Proverbs 27:7).
At the time when Athanasius was young, Arius was overwhelmingly influential. Yet Athanasius was prepared for him—through knowledge, through being filled with the Church, and through spiritual life (the Bible, prayer, fasting, services, and readings). By this fullness, he was able to stand against Arius.
Thus, the fullness of the Church is what gave us Athanasius. Therefore, my advice to the youth is this: Be filled, be knowledgeable, read, study, and learn.
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (2): “Live in the Depth of the Church to Grow through Spiritual Striving, Knowledge, and Fulfillment”
– In the days of Saint Athanasius there were strange ideas, and likewise in our days as well. How do we confront these ideas and preserve the sound faith?
H.H. Pope Tawadros: “We thank God who has granted us to live in a Church that is 2000 years old. Sometimes I meet leaders of Churches that are fifty years old. The Russian Orthodox Church, which is considered the largest Orthodox Church in the world, is one thousand years old. I say this so that we may recognize the greatness of our Church and our country.”
He added: “Athanasius the Apostolic faced many problems, and we, likewise, face many challenges, heresies, and strange ideas. For example: the saying that ‘religions are like colors,’ which carries a meaning that we cannot accept. Or the claim that ‘what matters is not salvation but loyalty,’ meaning that it is enough for a person to be loyal in what he does regardless of his faith. This also is a strange idea. For in our Christianity we know only the salvation that Christ has given us—He has granted us salvation from sin. Sin is the spiritual disease that afflicted the human race.
My advice to you is this: Live in the depth of the Church, that you may grow through spiritual striving, knowledge, and fulfillment in her.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (3): “We Need Precision in Time, Knowledge, and Work—for Arius Changed One Letter, and That Letter Changed the Meaning”
– Precision preserves rights, and this is what Saint Athanasius practiced. What, then, is the role of youth within the Church and society today?
H.H. Pope Tawadros: “The Bible says: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Saint Athanasius was precise in everything.
He was precise in time, for time has its value. Unfortunately, some waste their time on the internet or in excessive sleep.”
He added:
“We are in need of:
- Precision in time.
- Precision in knowledge, faith, and doctrine (Arius changed one letter, and that letter changed the meaning).
- Precision in work.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (4): Hosting the World Council of Churches Conference Strengthens Egypt’s Image before the World and Reveals the Weight and Presence of Our Church as a Strong and Living Oriental Orthodox Church through Her People and Her Ministry
–What is the World Council of Churches, and what about the upcoming conference to be held in Egypt next month? What is the reason for choosing Egypt and the Coptic Orthodox Church to host this year’s (2025) conference?
H.H. Pope Tawadros II:
“Our Coptic Church, being among the oldest Churches in the world, is a founding member of many Church councils, among them the World Council of Churches. We are a Church of weight and strong presence, and we must not live isolated from the world; rather, we must have a role in explaining and clarifying.”
He added:
“We participate in the World Council of Churches through the Commission on Faith and Order. The Council comprises more than 315 Churches worldwide, 85% of which are Western Churches.”
Regarding the hosting of the World Council of Churches Conference, His Holiness pointed out:
“On the occasion of celebrating the Council of Nicaea this year, we sought to host the conference, because at the Council of Nicaea, 309 of the bishops present were Oriental bishops. Why should we not relive history? Moreover, Saint Athanasius was Egyptian. In honor of him, of Pope Alexander, and of his predecessors Pope Achillas and Pope Peter the Seal of the Martyrs, who preserved the faith, we wanted the conference to be here in Egypt—for the name of Egypt must be remembered. Also, since the heresy of Arius arose here on the land of Egypt, and the Egyptian fathers were the ones who confronted it, and since the victory over this heresy was achieved in Egypt, it was most fitting that on this occasion the conference be held here.”
He explained further:
“The conference will extend over three weeks, with delegations from 100 countries totaling 500 participants. Initially 150 participants will arrive, then 50 more will join, followed by 300, so that in the final six days the total will reach 500.”
He noted:
“In June of last year, the Holy Synod issued a statement welcoming the hosting of the conference. We are thus before a historic event that will not be repeated, one that we shall record in the Synaxarium. It is also an event that strengthens Egypt’s image before the world and reveals the weight and presence of our Church as a strong and living Oriental Orthodox Church, through her people and her ministry.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (5): Hosting the World Council of Churches Conference Affirms the Ecumenical Role of Our Church and Honors the Fathers Who Preserved the Faith
– What benefit will Egypt and our Church gain from hosting such a conference?
HH. Pope Tawadros II:
“The presence of all these delegations in the Egyptian Church demonstrates the importance of the ecumenical role of our Church and her influence among the Churches of the world. Moreover, the coming of the world’s Churches to the Coptic Church is a tribute to the Fathers of this Church who preserved the faith, as I have previously mentioned.
In addition, it is an opportunity to become acquainted with the diverse cultures of the participating Churches. We will also organize an exhibition of Church products, offering them the chance to discover Coptic heritage. It is likewise an opportunity to speak with them about our Church, her history, tradition, and rites.
The delegations will also visit several archaeological sites in Egypt, which supports tourism—an important national matter. Furthermore, the conference will ensure that the name of Egypt is frequently mentioned in news platforms throughout its duration.”
His Holiness noted:
“This is the first time the conference will be held on the continents of Africa and Asia.”
Finally, he added:
“There is an additional advantage: it will be the youth who will take charge of the organizational process of the conference in all its details.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II to the Youth (6): “Our Church Is Like a Mountain—She Is a Teaching Church, the Church of Martyrs Who Preserved Her Faith”
– Some youth have concerns about whether the convening of the conference might affect our Orthodox faith.
H.H. Pope Tawadros , in astonishment, said:
“How can one of the children of our two-thousand-year-old Church be afraid? Otherwise, we would not be the children of Athanasius!”
He remarked:
“Our Church is like a mountain. No one can influence her; rather, she is the one who has influenced, continues to influence, and to teach.”
Pope Tawadros then asked the youth to chant with him part of the hymn: “Coptic Bride of the Redeemer”. Through its words, he reflected that our Church has passed through a sea of sufferings, yet by her blood she has preserved the upright truth.
He added:
“I am astonished by those who fear for the Church. Our Church is like a mountain—she is a teaching Church, the Church of the martyrs who preserved her faith.”
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