Yesterday, the funeral prayers for the thrice-blessed H.G. Bishop Youhanna, the General Bishop, were held at St. Mary’s Church in Minnesota, USA. His Grace reposed in the Lord in a blessed old age on the tenth of this month.

The funeral prayers began following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, which was prayed at the same church in the presence of the body of the departed and revered bishop.

Participating in the prayers were the following hierarchs of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States: H.E. Metropolitan Youssef (Metropolitan of the Southern United States), H.G. Bishop David (Bishop of New York and New England), H.G. Bishop Peter (Bishop of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky), H.G. Bishop Saraphim (Bishop of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana), H.G. Bishop Abraham (General Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles), and H.G. Bishop Gabriel (General Bishop in New Jersey).

In his sermon, H.E. Metropolitan Youssef conveyed the condolences of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, saying:

“I would like to convey to you the condolences of H.H. Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, on the departure of the thrice-blessed H.G. Bishop Youhanna, General Bishop. His Holiness had been closely and fatherly following His Grace’s health and medical condition during the past several months, and always carried him in his heart and prayers. From the moment His Holiness learned of the repose of Bishop Youhanna, he continued to follow all the arrangements for the prayers and funeral.”

He added: “As we bid farewell today to a father, brother, and faithful shepherd, we lift our hearts to God, asking Him to repose his pure soul in the Paradise of joy, in the bosom of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, together with all the saints; and to grant him a portion and an inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, rewarding him for all his labor in his ministry and during his illness, through the prayers of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and the prayers of our father the Metropolitan and the bishops gathered with us.”

His Grace also expressed his gratitude to the priest and congregation of the Minnesota church, saying: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Hegumen Yoannes Fahim and to the beloved congregation of St. Mary’s Church in Minnesota, among whom our departed father, Bishop Youhanna, lived for many years in the midst of his children, finding among them abundant love and care, particularly during the period of his final illness. They surrounded him with love and attention and provided him with all the care and service they were able to offer. May God not forget the labor of your love and reward you for every effort, service, and expression of love you offered to our departed father, and may He bless your lives.”

H.G. Bishop Youhanna, General Bishop, reposed in the Lord in a blessed old age in the United States at the age of nearly 76, following more than 50 years of monastic life, including 35 years of service as a General Bishop.

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