This evening, H.H. Pope Tawadros II arrived at the Monastery of Prince Tawadros El-Moshreky in Sanbo, marking the first stop in his pastoral visit to the dioceses and monasteries of Asyut Governorate.

This is the first time that a Pope has visited the Diocese of Dayrut and Sanbo, a diocese with a long and distinguished history in Christian tradition. It is home to numerous Coptic antiquities, among which is the historic Monastery of Prince Tawadros El-Moshreky.

Upon his arrival, His Holiness was received by H.E. Metropolitan Barsoum (Metropolitan of Dayrut and Sanbo), together with the clergy of the diocese, with whom he took a commemorative photograph.

Also present to welcome His Holiness were fifteen metropolitans and bishops. After a brief rest, during which he visited some of the monastery’s landmarks, Pope Tawadros proceeded to the new Cathedral of Prince Tawadros El-Moshreky within the monastery, where thousands of congregation members gathered joyfully to welcome their Father who had come to visit them.

Following Raising of Incense of Vespers, H.E. Metropolitan Barsoum delivered a welcoming address. The “Ti Agia Maria” choir, accompanied by the Music House Ensemble of the Diocese of Dayrut, presented a collection of hymns and sung psalms. His Holiness took a commemorative photo with them, spoke encouraging words of fatherly guidance, and many competed to receive his blessing and to greet him personally.

Before delivering his sermon, Pope Tawadros expressed his great joy in visiting Asyut and his delight in beginning this journey in Dayrut. He then read from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4–7, which speaks about joy. His Holiness explained that true joy has two primary sources:

-Continuous Prayer
Persistent prayer, along with praise, hymns, and veneration, grants lasting joy. For this reason, the Church often repeats in her prayers the word “Alleluia,” which means “Praise the Lord” — a sign of joy for the faithful.
Short prayers, also known as “arrow prayers” or the “Jesus Prayer,” ensure that the name of the Lord Christ remains deeply engraved in one’s heart, thus preserving joy.

He further pointed out the different forms of prayer:
Prayer of a single word: “Kyrie Eleison”
Prayer of a single sentence: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Prayer from Scripture: Psalms, Church hymns and praises.
Prayer through bodily expression: lifting up the hands, prostrations, etc.

“Our Church is a praying Church,” he affirmed, “for continuous prayer ensures continuous joy, and the Divine Liturgy is the summit of all prayers.”

2) Thanksgiving
The mercies of God are new every morning, and His blessings are countless. In the Prayer of Thanksgiving, we acknowledge but a few of these graces, saying: “…for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, had compassion on us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour.” These seven mercies are renewed daily.

As a spiritual exercise, His Holiness encouraged all present to write down thirty blessings from God in their personal lives and to thank Him for them.

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