H.H. Pope Tawadros II prayed the Divine Liturgy this morning at St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, marking the thirteenth anniversary of the revelation of the altar lot result and the selection of H.H. Pope Tawadros II as the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

During the Liturgy, His Holiness ordained nine deacons as priests — seven for service in the churches of Alexandria and two for service in Canada. His Holiness also prayed the ordination prayers for three priests from Alexandria to be elevated to the rank of hegumen.

In his sermon, Pope Tawadros reflected on the liturgy’s Gospel reading concerning the parable of the unjust steward, explaining the importance of faithfulness and its connection with wisdom. He noted that faithfulness appears in many forms:

Faithfulness in Thoughts: A person must keep a pure mind at all times through the Word of God dwelling within the heart, for the Word of God purifies the mind faithfully.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Faithfulness in Speech: Speaking is the activity that a person does the most. By words we are justified and by words we are condemned.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
When one guards their thoughts, their tongue produces good words — words that build up and bring joy.

Faithfulness in Conduct: His Holiness gave an example of faithfulness in behavior through the people of Esna, who showed hospitality to strangers and hosted soldiers they did not know. Because of their faithfulness, one of them became Saint Pakhomious, the father of communal monasticism.

The priest, Pope Tawadros emphasized, must be completely faithful — managing his household well and being entrusted with service in his church.
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).

Participating in the Liturgy and ordination prayers were Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the Montazah District) and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of East Alexandria), along with Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), and the clergy of Alexandria.

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