Under the care of H.H. Pope Tawadros II, and his partner in the service, H.G. Bishop Mousa, General Bishop for the Youth
Established by Pope Shenouda III in 1980
The youth are the foundation of the society; they are the reserved living energy in the Church and the nation. For this reason, it was necessary to offer adequate care for them since they are part of the present, and the whole future as they receive the faith from one generation and pass it on to the next. Thus, Pope Shenouda III realized the importance of consecrating a bishop for them, accompanied by an organization made up of monks, and consecrated men and women to serve the youth, and cooperate with each diocese’s bishops and priests and all those who serve the youth, for the sake of joint service in this imperative field.
Bishopric’s Aim:
To care for those who are to be served, and their servants, through a media-based service, and an inclusive system of communication and connection, futuristic vision, evaluations and reports—to learn through training and not dictation, to believe in dialogue, and to learn patriotism, “that [you] may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28).
Bishopric’s Slogan:
Serve everyone… return the lost… confirm the upright… discover talents and encourage them… care for the individual and the group.
Bishopric’s Approach:
- Teamwork
- The leader of the group and not of the self
Historical Events:
Ordination of H.G. Bishop Mousa for the Youth in the Coptic Church:
In 1980, Pope Shenouda III saw that it’s important for the youth to have a bishopric for he believed that “A church without youth is one without future.” He chose and ordained H.G. Bishop Mousa a General Bishop for the Youth on May 25th, 1980, to dedicate his service to the youth in St. Mark’s See in Egypt and abroad. His Grace accompanied Pope Shenouda III on one of his trips outside Egypt as part of the delegation of bishops. From this point, serving the youth abroad began with holding annual conventions for youth and servants that were attended by His Grace, first in the USA, then Australia and Europe—this was in addition to the continuous conventions and events held in Egypt for the youth and servants. The service was expanded in all aspects and through the committees that His Grace established with Pope Shenouda III’s support.
Ordination of H.G. Bishop Rafael:
With the expansion of the service in the bishopric, there was an urgent need for someone to assist H.G. Bishop Mousa. His Grace considered Fr. Yustus Al-Baramousi, and asked Pope Shenouda III to allow him to help in the bishopric. He served the youth for two years and then he was nominated to become a general bishop in 1997. He was ordained as H.G. Bishop Rafael, the General Bishop for the Churches of Downtown Cairo, and serves the Youth Bishopric.
Ordination of Priests:
Hegumen Fr. Markos Al-Baramousi began to serve with H.G. Bishop Mousa. With increasing need for servants, Pope Shenouda III ordained three full consecrated deacons as celibate priests to serve the youth due to the diversity and the expansion of the service. H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius of Beheira also ordained another group of priests for the bishopric when he was the patriarchal locum tenen.
Consecrated Women:
H.G. Bishop Mousa established the House of Deaconess Phoebe for consecrated women in 1981 under the Youth Bishopric for its service. The first group of consecrated women were blessed by the hands of Pope Shenouda III June 8th, 1998, according to the rites and guidelines of consecration agreed upon by the Holy Synod, to serve women in spiritual meetings, ecclesiastical education, and some other services in the bishopric. H.G. Bishop Mousa and H.G. Bishop Rafael have consecrated more groups of consecrated women.
Training is offering through:
1- Theological and General Studies:
His Grace encourages all consecrated women to enroll in all available religious institutes, such as:
- Theological College
- Institute of Pastoral Care and Education
- Institute of Coptic Studies
- Youth Servants Training Center
As well as attending servants’ conferences organized by the Youth Bishopric, participating in classes for computers, languages, communication, management and leadership, and some technical aspects, attending international meetings and conferences upon nomination by His Grace, and attending and representing training courses that they are invited to and organized by private institutions and organizations.
2- Periodic Meetings:
His Grace is keen to arranging training and revitalization meetings for consecrated women, including:
- Monthly Meetings: first Saturday of each month to meet with specialists
- Semi-Annual Meetings: 5-7 days at St. Mark’s House, Agamy – Alexandria
- General Meetings: held in participation with the Committee for Pastoral Care and Service in the Holy Synod that are attended by consecrated woman from other diocese, and consist of personal retreats, opportunities to share experiences with each other, and communal worship through daily liturgies, agpeya prayers, and praises
3- Coptic Language & Hymns Lessons:
Sundays are dedicated for learning Coptic and Church hymns.
4- Academic Topics
During the monthly and semi-annual meetings, the following topics are studied: Holy Bible, ecclesiastics, patrology, history, relations with the community in which we serve, leadership and administration, culture, and all aspects of available and useful knowledge.
5- Research in All Topics
Some select topics to research using all available sources for personal and collective benefit.
6- Center for Preparing Consecrated Women
A center for training females who desire consecration and preparing them for the needed service. Under the care and guidance of Pope Shenouda III through H.G. Bishop Mousa, some dioceses were trained as requested (Naqada, Qusiya, Zaytoun, Banha, Minya, Atfih). The training ranges between one and a half years to two years.
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