This page is also available in: العربية
This page is also available in: العربية
The convent is located in Billistown (which is two kilometers away from Delvin) in the county of Westmeath.
On Saturday the 14th of November 2012, during a meeting between His Grace Bishop Antony with the late His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, His Holiness blessed the idea of establishing the first convent for Coptic Orthodox nuns in Europe. His Holiness chose the name of Saint George for the convent in Ireland.
Bishop Antony founded the convent, making it the first convent for nuns in Europe. His Grace is responsible for the organization and management of all aspects of the convent.
During the annual meeting of the Coptic Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod in May 2018, under the leadership of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Church officially recognized Saint George’s Convent for nuns in Ireland.
The convent is a two storey building, with the top floor having a church named after Saint George.
There are spiritual days held for male and female youth, women, services and children. The spiritual days begin with the Divine Liturgy followed by an Aghapy meal, a spiritual talk and a variety of questions and discussions.
The Feast of the Cross was celebrated on Tuesday 19th of March 2019 in the presence of Coptic youth from all over the world. They were those who attended the World Youth Week of COC 2018 named: “Back to the Roots 2018” in Egypt.
Ecclesiastical Visits to the Convent:
H.H. Pope Tawadros II carried out a historic visit to the convent on Friday the 19th of May 2017. His Holiness was accompanied by H.G. Bishop Makar (bishop of Al Sharqiyah, 10th of Ramadan City and its affiliated areas) and H.G. Bishop Bavly (general bishop in Alexandria). On this day, the convent was also visited by: the Mayor of Mullingar, a member of Parliament for Mullingar, a representative on behalf of the Bishop of Meath and two monks from the Franciscan monastery.