This morning, H.H. Pope Tawadros II consecrated the Cave Church at the Monastery of Virgin Mary in Drunka, Asyut, with the participation of twenty-eight metropolitans and bishops.

Upon his arrival, His Holiness unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the consecration of the church, then entered, preceded by the choir of deacons chanting hymns of welcome for the Patriarch, as the congregation greeted him with great joy.

The prayers of consecration then began, during which the main altar was consecrated in the name of Virgin Mary, and the side altar in the name of the Holy Family. The icon of the Pantocrator (“the Bosom of the Father”) was consecrated at both altars, along with two additional icons within the church.

After the consecration, His Holiness explained that the two newly consecrated altars were made of wood, as it is fitting for an altar to be made of wood as a symbol of the Holy Cross.

H.G. Bishop Yoannes, Bishop of Asyut and Secretary of the Holy Synod, expressed gratitude to His Holiness for responding to the invitation and for visiting Asyut. He also cited several historical and contemporary testimonies confirming that the Lord Christ, Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph the Righteous visited Drunka and dwelt there for a time. He noted that the largest celebration in the world dedicated to Virgin Mary is held at the Monastery of Drunka, receiving more than five million pilgrims during the Fast of Saint Mary.

In his sermon during the Divine Liturgy, Pope Tawadros said: “This morning’s Gospel speaks to us about holiness. The readings of the Church continually call us to holiness, for without holiness no one will see the Lord, and the way to heaven is the way of holiness. It is a call for every person: ‘Be holy, for I am holy’ (1 Peter 1:16)”.

He further explained that holiness has many different forms and diverse examples—kings and simple people, women and men, young and old—according to the grace that God bestows upon each.

His Holiness then answered the question: “How can we become holy?” through five essential means:

The Presence of Will: Striving and seriousness of will are fundamental conditions for holiness, for heaven is not for the lazy or negligent.

The Holy Sacraments: A person must be sincere in repentance, especially in the Sacrament of Confession. When approaching the Eucharist, one must take a vow not to return to sin, understanding that each time he partakes, Christ abides in him, and he in Christ, bearing abundant fruit like a branch grafted into the tree.

Service in Love: True service is free of self-interest or personal gain. It springs from a heart filled with the love of Christ and desires to express that love through service—to the sick, the stranger, the guest, and others. Each act of loving service draws us a step closer to Christ.

Humility: Humility is an inner feeling of being the least of all, as our Mother Virgin Mary said: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly” (Luke 1:52).

The Lives of the Saints: Reading their biographies confirms that we are on the right path. The Church places the iconostasis before the faithful in the church as a window into heaven, encouraging us to walk in the way of holiness.

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