Today, H.H. Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the Saint Mark Coptic Academy at the LOGOS Center in the Monastery of St. Bishoy, Wadi El-Natroun, following the Divine Liturgy commemorating the 13th anniversary of his enthronement.

His Holiness unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the Academy in the presence of members of the Holy Synod, after which he visited the facilities of the Academy and provided an explanation of its most significant features.

In his sermon during the Liturgy, Pope Tawadros spoke about the Academy, saying: “We are now in the Coptic Saint Mark Academy. This Academy is a large building with an area of forty thousand square meters (ten acres). This land was lovingly offered to us by the late Bishop Sarabamon, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Bishoy, and we began the work and construction upon it. This Academy will be the mother and umbrella for all that is educational in our Coptic Church.”

He added: “We are currently conducting a survey of all educational institutes and colleges. Every college that meets the requirements will become a member of the Academy, and from these colleges and institutes we will form the Council of the Coptic Academy.”

In February, the first graduation ceremony will be held here for five classes from the TEACH Academy in London (The European Academy for Coptic Heritage).

Events will continue, as all graduates of theological colleges and institutes will henceforth graduate from the Academy, along with ceremonies honoring outstanding students and top achievers. All academic studies, such as Master’s and Doctoral degrees, will also be conducted here according to specific standards and regulations that will be applied.

The Academy includes facilities for accommodation, classrooms, lecture halls, a large library, and a special hall for graduates and thesis discussions.

On the occasion of the Council of Nicaea, a design was created for the Lighthouse of Alexandria, symbolizing St. Athanasius the Apostolic. On its four sides is inscribed the Nicene Creed in twenty different languages, as an expression of the faith having spread and extended to all corners of the inhabited world. There is also a descriptive book of the church, explaining its icons and pillars, upon which texts of the Creed are inscribed. The entire church proclaims the Creed.

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