H.H. Pope Tawadros II: “Athanasius became the voice of the entire Church and the tongue of sound faith in an age filled with debate and doubt.”

H.H. Pope Tawadros II: “Athanasius did not confront the heretics with violence or anger, but with the spirit, the power of reason, and the radiance of thought. Without his linguistic and intellectual enlightenment, faith would have been confused and its meaning lost.”

Today, H.H. Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the academic conference of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI 2025), affiliated with the World Council of Churches. In his opening address, His Holiness welcomed the leaders of the institute and all participants in the conference.

He also delivered a lecture during the first session, expressing at the beginning his joy in their presence within the Coptic Orthodox Church, noting that the Coptic Church always rejoices in opening her doors to all who seek to know Christ, and that she offers from her heart genuine love to every human being, for she carries within her the deep teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

His Holiness further noted that the conference is being held at the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, where ascetic fathers have lived since the fourth century, lifting up their hands to heaven in prayer for the whole world.

Pope Tawadros added: “I pray that this conference may be a platform of love and peace, and that you may be the living voice of Christ in this generation.”

His Holiness’ lecture covered: “Five Lessons We Can Learn from the Council of Nicaea”

Faith Is Not Measured by Age
He illustrated this through the example of the young Athanasius, who stood before men of learning and theology, before emperors and princes, and spoke with deep faith and fervent zeal. From that day, those present said of him: “Alexander has spoken through the mouth of Athanasius.” Thus, this young man became the voice of the entire Church and the tongue of sound faith in a time of great debate and doubt.
While the world saw in him only a youth, God saw in him a pillar of true faith, granting him the wisdom of elders and the courage of prophets. In the prime of his youth, he became a voice of truth before the whole world, earning the title “Athanasius against the world.”

Athanasius Was a Man of Vision and Mission
Athanasius was not only an eloquent speaker, but also a profound theologian who studied the Holy Bible and understood the mystery of the Incarnation. He wrote about it in his great work “On the Incarnation of the Word” while still a young man — a book that became a theological beacon through the ages, explaining the mystery of the incarnate God’s love.
Yet, alongside his learning, he was a spiritual man who lived with Saint Anthony the Great, the father of all monks. He united intellectual illumination with illumination of the heart, making his mind radiant and his spirit aflame.
When he stood before the Council of Nicaea, he did not confront heresy with violence or anger, but with the spirit, the power of reason, and the brightness of thought. Without his intellectual and linguistic enlightenment, faith would have been confused and its meaning lost. Thus, Athanasius became a man of vision and mission — he did not think only of his own salvation but became a torch of light guiding others. He wrote many books and letters, which were not mere ink on paper but fire in the hearts of believers.

The Importance of the Spirit of Service and Consecration
The young Athanasius did not seek the front rows but served quietly as a deacon accompanying his teacher, the Coptic Pope Alexander. His humility lifted him up, and his silence spoke the language of faith. He stood with a face full of peace and calm, bearing witness that knowledge without love puffs up, but love builds up.

The Power of Spiritual Discipleship
Among the important lessons we learn from the Council of Nicaea is the lesson of discipleship.
That great council revealed not only the firmness of faith and depth of thought, but also the value of genuine discipleship — through which the grace of God is passed from generation to generation, from the heart of the father to the heart of the son, as a flame passed from one lamp to another.
Athanasius entered the Council of Nicaea not as one of high rank or authority, but as a faithful disciple of the Coptic Pope Alexander. He was still young, yet carried within him the spirit of obedience — listening, writing, and serving in deep silence. From this obedience came strength; from this silence came the light that illumined the world.

Enduring Tribulations with Thanksgiving — for the World Is Not Rosy
When Pope Alexander stood in a troubled age, when minds were divided and Arius spoke out, the conflict was not merely about ideas or theology, but about the very heart of the Church and the faith once delivered to the saints.
The Coptic Pope Alexander stood, not with a sword in his hand, but with peace in his heart and the word of truth on his lips. This great father endured attacks and false accusations, carrying the burden of defending the sound faith, with his disciple, Deacon Athanasius, by his side. They spoke not to defend an idea, but to bear witness to a life they had lived in faith.

Athanasius endured for the sake of faith what not many have endured. He was exiled five times, wandering among deserts and countries, pursued by kings, emperors, and armies. Yet he never changed his stance nor compromised his faith, remaining steadfast as one who sees the Invisible.

He could have complained or remained silent in fear, yet in every exile he saw a new call to prayer, in every pain an opportunity for fellowship with the suffering Christ, and in every deprivation a hidden glory experienced through faith.

This month, for the first time, the Coptic Orthodox Church is hosting the sixth conference of the World Council of Churches, held at the Logos Center in the Papal Residence at the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi El Natroun.

Representatives of Christian Churches from around the world will participate in the conference.

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