The Global Ecumenical Theological Institute Conference: First Lecture by H.H. Pope Tawadros II

Beloved teachers and scholars in Christ at the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI),

It fills my heart with joy to see you gathered here today at the Logos Conference Center in Wadi El-Natroun, Egypt, founded ten years ago.

I warmly welcome you all from the East and West, North and South, from various churches, denominations, and traditions. You form a beautiful mosaic where diverse colors come together to reflect the image of the one Christ who unites us all.

Today, we meet under the umbrella of the World Council of Churches (WCC), this ecumenical endeavor that brings together churches from across the globe at GETI.

This gathering is not merely an intellectual conference or a youth activity; it is a sacred spiritual journey you share together, learning how to listen to one another, to cooperate in the spirit of love, and to walk together toward the hope that never fails.

And I would like to say to every young man and woman among us today: you are not only the generation of the future, but the heartbeat of Christianity. You are the strength, vitality, hope, and living testimony to Christ in a rapidly changing world. The Church does not see in you mere participants, but a divine treasure entrusted to the Church by God to renew its spirit and spread its light.

I warmly welcome you all to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is always delighted to open its doors to all those seeking to know Christ and to offer from the depths of its heart genuine love for every human being. For within its very core, it carries the teaching of Jesus Christ, who said:

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

I also welcome you to this sacred place, the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, where the hermits have lived since the fourth century AD, lifting up their hands to heaven in prayer for the whole world. And now, in this very place, the sons and daughters of churches from every corner of the earth gather to pray together for the world and for the Church.

I pray that this conference becomes a beacon of love and peace, and that you become the spiritual voice of the living Christ in this generation. Allow me to draw with you five lessons from the Council of Nicaea; lessons that speak to the hearts of young people.

First: Understand that Faith is not Bound by Age

Beloved, when we look through the pages of Church history, we find that faith was not preserved by the efforts of the great Fathers alone, but at times rested upon the shoulders of young people filled with the Spirit and holy zeal. Among the most radiant examples in the history of the Church is the event of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD; the council that stood as a turning point between light and darkness, between true faith and distorted teaching.

At that Council, more than three hundred and eighteen bishops from across the world gathered to discuss a highly sensitive theological issue of Christology:

Is He a created being, as Arius claimed, or the eternal Son, of one essence with the Father?

Amid that solemn gathering stood a young man, not a bishop nor a patriarch, but a deacon accompanying Pope Alexander, The Patriarch of Alexandria. His name was Athanasius, the young man who would one day be Pope Athanasius the Apostolic.

Athanasius stood before scholars, theologians, emperors, and princes, speaking with deep faith and burning zeal. From that day, those present said: “Alexander spoke through the mouth of Athanasius.” Thus, this young man became the voice of the entire Church; the voice of true faith in an age plagued by question and doubt.

Faith is not measured by years, nor weighed by the breadth of worldly experience; it is defined by the depth of one’s communion with God and the genuine submission to His will. It is a gift poured from the Holy Spirit into the purest of hearts — those who receive it with devotion becomes mightier than time itself.

In the Holy Bible, we see living examples that bear witness to the truth that faith is not bound by age, from the stories of David, Daniel, and the three young men, to Timothy, Titus, and other young servants of God in the New Testament.

Saint Athanasius the Apostolic was a shining example of young faith. While the world saw in him a mere young man, God saw in him a pillar of true faith. He granted him the wisdom of the elders and the courage of the prophets. In his prime, he became a voice of truth that echoed in the whole world, thus earning the title “Athanasius Contra Mundum” (Athanasius against the world).

Therefore, let every young man among you be a chosen vessel, bearing faith not only in mind, but in heart, in life, and in witness. For living faith is the power that shapes history.

Second: Be a Visionary

and a Missionary

Athanasius was not only an eloquent preacher, but also a theologian of profound thought. He studied the Holy Bible and discerned the mystery of the Incarnation, writing about it in his great work “De Incarnatione Verbi Dei” (On the Incarnation of the Word) while still in his prime. This book became a beacon of theology through the ages, revealing the mystery of the incarnate love of God. In addition to his vast knowledge, he was a deeply spiritual man who lived in communion with Saint Anthony the Great, the Father of All Monks.

He portrayed the light of the mind and the light of the heart, so that his thought shone with devotion and his spirit burned with fervor. Similarly, if you wish to be influential in this world, let your mind be enlightened by faith, and let your heart burn with the flame of love.

Saint Athanasius the Apostolic was the embodiment of this enlightened faith. He delved into the study of languages, mastering Greek and possessing a balanced philosophical mind. Yet he utilized all these gifts to serve faith and the Church, not himself.

Standing before the Council of Nicaea, he did not confront the heretics with violence or anger, but with the power of reason and the brilliance of thought. Had it not been for his clear language and enlightened mind, faith would have been obscured, and its meaning would have been lost.

God does not ask us to abandon our minds, but rather to turn them into lamps that shine His light into the world. Thus was Athanasius, a man of vision and calling. He did not think only of his own salvation but became a beacon guiding others along the way. He wrote many books and texts, which were not mere ink on paper, but fire in the hearts of the believers.

You too are encouraged to be beacons in the world, writing your message to this generation, not with mere ink and paper, but with your faith, your behavior, and your deeds. For every kind word, every act of love, and every pure thought is a new line prescribed in the Book of Life. Athanasius wrote texts that illuminated the world; let your lives too, be a message of love and hope to a world yearning for light.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights” (Philippians 2:15–16).

Third: Behold the Spirit of Servitude and Devotion

Young Athanasius did not pursue the spotlight but served in silence as a deacon beside his teacher, the Coptic Pope Alexander. It became apparent that his humility exalted him, and his silence spoke of faith. With a face serene and peaceful, he stood as a shining example that knowledge without love fails, but with love endures.

And when we look into the life of Athanasius, among the many radiant images that shine within it, one remains especially deep and beautiful — his image as a young man, devoted in service and in awe of monastic life. In his youth, he did not seek glory or position, but holiness — the holiness he found in the wilderness when he went to become a disciple of the man of God, Saint Anthony the Great.

Athanasius deeply loved the monasticism. He saw in it the beating heart of the Church — pulsating with faith and simplicity. He wrote the immortal Life of Antony, not merely as the story of a saint, but as a living guide to practical spirituality. Through it, the Western world came to know Egyptian monasticism, which became a model of hermit, faith, purity, and spiritual joy.

Beauty lies in linking this devotion with what we read in the Bible: When God chose King David, He did not select him from among his brothers of stature and strength, but from the shepherds. And when He called the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God, He did not choose a princess, but a humble girl who said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” And when Christ washed the feet of His disciples, He taught us that true greatness lies in service, saying: “But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matthew 20:26). This is the lesson that has been borne from the Council of Nicaea for centuries.

Fourth: The Call of Discipleship

Among the profound lessons we learn from the Council of Nicaea shines before us the lesson of true discipleship. This prestigious council revealed not only the strongest of faith and the depth of thought, but also the precious value of faithful discipleship — through which the grace of God passes from generation to generation, from the heart of a father to the heart of a son, just as a flame is passed from one lamp to another.

Athanasius entered the Council of Nicaea not as a man of opinion or standing, but as a faithful disciple of the Coptic Pope Alexander. He was still a young man, yet he carried within him the spirit of obedience, listening, writing, and serving in profound silence. From this obedience came strength, and from this silence emerged the light that illumined the whole world.

The true disciple does not hasten to speak, but first listens to the voice of the Spirit. This is the discipleship spoken of in the Bible: “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

At the Council of Nicaea, Athanasius was not the only disciple; the entire council was a school of mutual discipleship — where the elders learned from the candor of the young, and the young learned from the wisdom of the elders. For the Church is one body, in which the one Spirit works in the hearts of all.

Athanasius was taught by his teacher, Pope Alexander, yet his heart was also a disciple of Saint Antony the Great. From him, he learned the life of prayer, clamminess, and spiritual struggles. Through this union of learning and fellowship, of knowledge and spirituality, Athanasius developed a well-rounded personality — a mind enlightened, a heart that’s humble, and a spirit apostolic.

This is another lesson from Nicaea for us today: that faith is not built in isolation, but in communion; and that greatness does not begin with leadership, but with discipleship. He who sit at the feet of their teacher today will confidently lead others tomorrow to the path of Heaven. He who learns today in obedience will teach tomorrow in wisdom — for it is discipleship that shapes the young into saints, teachers, and shepherds for the generations to come.

Fifth: Endure with Gratitude, for the World Is Not Rosy

Among the profound lessons that shine forth from the Council of Nicaea is the example of Pope Alexander, who stood firm in turbulent times when minds were divided and Arius spoke his heretic words. The conflict was not merely one of thought or theology — it was a battle for the very heart of the Church, for the faith once delivered to the saints. The Coptic Pope Alexander did not stand with a sword in his hand, but with peace in his heart and truth upon his lips. He endured attacks and bore slander with patience. This great father carried the burden of defending the true and upright faith.Therefore, when Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, Pope Alexander was among the foremost present — attending in a spirit of humility and calm, accompanied by his deacon Athanasius, who spoke not in defense of a mere idea but as a witness to a living faith they both had experienced.

All saw in Alexander the image of a father who endures in silence and gives thanks from the depth of his soul. Likewise, Athanasius endured for the sake of faith what many could not endure; he was exiled five times, wandering through deserts and distant lands, pursued by kings, emperors, and armies. Yet he never wavered, never compromised his faith. He remained steadfast — as one who sees the unseen.

Athanasius could have complained, or remained silent out of fear — yet he saw in every exile a new call to prayer, in every pain an opportunity for communion with the suffering Christ, and in every deprivation a hidden glory revealed through faith.

Thus, his banishment became a temple, his exile an altar, and his silence a testimony stronger than words. In his solitude, he wrote; in his suffering, he taught; and in his weakness, he triumphed. That is why the Church has never forgotten him, but rather remembers him in its hymns, calling him: “Protector of the Faith, Pillar of Orthodoxy, and Faithful Guardian of the Church.”

The path of God is not strewn with roses, but it is filled with grace for those who walk it faithfully. So, if you face hardship in your studies, fatigue in your service, injustice, disappointment, or inner struggle in your journey in this world — remember that Athanasius walked the same path, yet he was never alone — for the One who promised to be with us until the end of time was with him every step of the way.

Carry this lesson in your hearts: true faith is not measured by how much we know, but by how deeply we endure, and how gratefully we live. He who gives thanks in distress teaches the world that God is present, and he who endures in pain shines the light of hope amid the darkness.

Thus, just as Athanasius stood firm in his time, may you also be pillars of faith in your generation — facing challenges with steadfastness, turning pain into prayer, and trial into a pulpit of glory. For he who walks with God never walks alone.

Finally, I ask you to be like Athanasius, who swam against the tide.

O young people of Christ, Athanasius teaches us that the prevalence of wrongdoings does not make them right, and that swimming with the tide does not mean walking on the right path. The world often chooses the easy way, but God calls us to the way of truth — even when it is narrow and difficult.

You are the sons and daughters of this generation, but you are also its light. Today, the world does not need more words, but rather a genuine light that shines from within hearts.

Be candles that shine — not through shouts or speeches, but through quiet lives illuminated by love and truth. Be the living letters of God in this age, just as Athanasius was in his time. I thank you all, and I wish you every success and blessing in your institute.

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