H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the graduation ceremony of eight cohorts from the St. Paul the Apostle Institute for Ministry Studies (SPIMS), which was held today (Saturday), at the Papal Residence in Cairo.

The ceremony commenced with a word of welcome and gratitude from Hegumen Daoud Lamei, the General Director of the Institute, who expressed appreciation to H.H. Pope Tawadros for his constant encouragement of academic studies and the institute’s activities.

Dr. Sherine Seif, the Executive Director of the Institute, then delivered a speech in which she expressed her gratitude to His Holiness for his continuous interest in following up on the institute’s achievements. She also thanked the faculty members and highlighted in her address the importance of education that leads to spirituality and repentance. She further pointed to the institute’s fruits in recent years, presenting statistics about the courses and certificates it offers, along with the number of students from around the world.

Father Loka Maher spoke on behalf of the faculty, stressing that the purpose of study is not merely the acquisition of information, but rather the renewal of the mind for the transformation of behavior, the fostering of zeal for repentance, and drawing closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

This was followed by testimonies from several students, who shared how their studies at the institute enriched their lives and the challenges they faced during the journey.

Then H.G. Bishop Raphael, General Bishop of Central Cairo Churches and a faculty member of the Institute, delivered an speech in which he thanked H.H. Pope Tawadros for initiating an educational renaissance within the Coptic Church. He also expressed gratitude to Hegumen Daoud Lamei for his leadership of the institute. His Grace emphasized that the true theologian is one who prays and transmits the authentic Orthodox faith. He cited writings of St. Athanasius the Apostolic, affirming the vital role of the Fathers in preserving and passing down the pure and sound faith, a hallmark of the institute’s academic work.

The speeches concluded with the address of Pope Tawadros, who expressed his joy at the remarkable work that has been carried out in the institute over the past six years, highlighting its role in raising awareness and safeguarding faith, doctrine, and theology. He noted that he looks forward to two key initiatives in this regard:

1. Documenting the experiences and circumstances encountered by servants, so that they may remain a living testimony of God’s work for future generations, while also expanding this vision into Sunday School curricula.

2. Organizing a special conference for priests and monks who live abroad, granting them the opportunity to experience the ecclesiastical life of the Coptic Orthodox Church within Egypt.

His Holiness concluded by exhorting the graduates to maintain personal piety alongside profound study, before personally presenting them with their graduation certificates.

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