In a beautiful paternal gesture, His Holiness presented his personal hand cross to the child “Polycarpus,” who served as the host of the celebration.

H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the celebration organized by the Synodal Committee for Childhood, which was held this evening at the St. Rewis Theatre in Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Abbassia. The event included several segments centered around the Council of Nicaea and Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, as part of the Coptic Orthodox Church’s commemoration of seventeen centuries since the Council of Nicaea.

A children’s choir received His Holiness outside the theatre with hymns and church melodies. He was accompanied by H.G. Bishop Nofeir, Bishop of Shebein El-Qanater and Rapporteur of the Committee for Childhood. Upon entering the theatre hall, a group of young deacons chanted the hymn of welcoming the Patriarch.

Following this, the “Kithara” choir presented a collection of hymns, and a special awareness presentation was given to children and parents on the proper use of mobile phones for children and the avoidance of misuse.
H.G. Bishop Nofeir delivered words of love and gratitude to His Holiness, after which Father Jerome presented the activities and strategic plan of the Committee for Childhood.

How beautiful is dealing with children, for the stature of childhood is the stature of eternity.

A short film titled “And the Word was God” was then screened, portraying the life of Saint Athanasius. The program concluded with a distinguished set of hymns inspired by the Council of Nicaea, including one based on the text of the Nicene Creed.

In his speech, H.H. Pope Tawadros II expressed his gratitude to H.G. Bishop Nofeir for his outstanding efforts, along with the members of the Committee for Childhood in the Holy Synod. He praised each part of the event individually, showing great appreciation for every presentation.

In a moving paternal act that deeply touched all those present, His Holiness gifted his personal hand cross to the child Polycarpus Malak, who had delightfully hosted the program in a charming childlike manner. After Polycarpus had introduced His Holiness to give his speech, the child offered him a wooden cross as a gift. In return, His Holiness graciously presented the boy with his own cross, to the amazement and joy of the entire audience.

Pope Tawadros then spoke a brief word, calling upon all—bishops, priests, servants, and all people—to learn from children. He said that the more we learn from children, the more the stature of the child grows within us, noting the words of the Lord Christ: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

He explained that the stature of the child is the stature of eternity, characterized by simplicity, innocence, and purity, with a heart that continually communes with God. God often sends messages to us through children.

Finally, His Holiness requested that H.G. Bishop Nofeir organizes a similar celebration each November to coincide with the annual observance of Feasts of Childhood.

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