H.H. Pope Tawadros in his speech: “We are faithful, loyal, and joyful concerning that which the Church has entrusted to us.”
This evening, at the Anba Reweis Theater in Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Abbasiya, the first celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church commenced, marking seventeen centuries since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which is set to continue for five days under the theme: “Nicaea… A Living Faith.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II attended the event, accompanied by a great number of metropolitans, bishops, and the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo. Also present were many priests, monks, and members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The celebration included two poetic recitations** delivered by Deacon Ibrahim Farag, the chanter of Queen Helena Church in Maadi; followed by a collection of hymns and church praises by the choir “Children of the Apostles” from the Diocese of Asyut; then a theatrical play entitled “The Council of Nicaea” performed by the Coptic Theater Group of the Diocese of Malawi.
Pope Tawadros honored thirty-five metropolitans and bishops whose dioceses, throughout the year 2025, had presented educational, academic, and artistic activities related to the Council of Nicaea and its champions.
In his closing words, His Holiness encouraged all who took part in the program, offering appreciation and respect to their shepherds, priests, and servants. He noted that the celebrations had begun this morning with the Divine Liturgy, and that they would also conclude this coming Sunday with the Divine Liturgy.
Pope Tawadros pointed to three qualities that distinguish the Church and its pastoral ministry:
- We Are Faithful
Faithful to the faith we received from our Lord Christ — transmitted to us by Saint Mark the Apostle, preserved by Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, and handed down to us from generation to generation. Therefore, we remain faithful to it. - We Are Loyal
Loyal to our fathers who taught us and delivered the faith to us through their teachings and their way of life — from one generation to another. We therefore preserve this faith and pass it on to those after us. Every male and female servant, and every mother and father is entrusted with handing down the faith.
- We Are Joyful
We rejoice to see each generation — and all generations — living out the faith that has been handed down, thanks to those who deliver it and teach it to us.
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