Latest news with #CopticChurch
Watani
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Watani
Trump on Global Coptic Day: Treasured traditions of Coptic community serve as light for Americans
US President Donald Trump posted on the White House website site on 1 June 2025 a congratulatory message to the Coptic Orthodox Church for Global Coptic Day. The President's message read: 'Today, I join the Coptic Orthodox Christian community in observing Global Coptic Day—a celebration of the ancient heritage, rich culture, and reverent worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church. 'Tracing its roots to Saint Mark, the apostle of Jesus Christ and Evangelist who brought the Christian faith to Egypt in the first century, the Coptic Church has been a beacon of Christendom in Africa for nearly 2,000 years. 'The Coptic community has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of Christians—most evidently seen in their timeless contributions to Christian theology and culture. 'This Global Coptic Day, we also pause to reflect upon the vicious and ongoing persecution of Coptic Orthodox Christians in Africa and across the Middle East. In 2015, 21 Coptic construction workers were brutally executed by ISIS terrorists in Libya. Like persecuted Christians all around the world, these heroic martyrs refused to renounce their faith—they exemplified their sacrificial love and steadfast devotion to God, even in the face of certain death. The Copts' persistence amid relentless persecution is a living testament to their unbreakable resolve and fearless dedication to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 'As we remember the extraordinary contributions and tragic martyrdoms of Coptic Orthodox Christians, my Administration renews its commitment to vigorously defending the right to religious liberty, a bedrock of the American way of life. I was honored to recently establish the Religious Liberty Commission, a team of religious leaders tasked with ensuring that Americans can freely practice their faith without government interference. I also signed an Executive Order to eradicate the pervasive anti-Christian bias sweeping across our Nation—correcting the unjust abuses, investigations, and persecutions of faithful Christians that occurred under the previous administration. 'As our Nation celebrates Global Coptic Day, we pray for an increased love of God and a rebirth of religious faith both in the United States and around the world. Today and every day, may the treasured traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Christian community serve as a light for all Americans—and may their unwavering devotion to Christ inspire our Nation to renew our love, faith, and trust in Almighty God.' Global Coptic Day is marked annually by the Coptic Church on 1 June, a date which coincides with the Coptic Feast of the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt. The first Global Coptic Day was celebrated on 1 June 2019. Comments comments Tags: Ashraf HelmyPresident Trump on Global Coptic Day 2025
Watani
09-06-2025
- General
- Watani
Pope Tawadros II receives HOPE servants
Pope Tawadros II received on 7 June 2025 the servants of the HOPE Organization at the Papal Residence in Cairo, who are on service week in Egypt. The Pope spoke to them about the depth of spiritual service, the blessing it bestows on the soul, and its lasting impact on the life of the servant. He presented each servant with a HIGH Office Passport. At the end of the meeting, commemorative photos were taken with joy in front of Saint Mark's Cathedral in Abbassia. The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Youssef of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Southern United States of America, along with Bishop Basil and Bishop Gregory, general bishops of the same diocese. He gifted each of them with a HIGH Office Shield. The service visit by HOPE Organization to Egypt was coordinated with the HIGH Office, which is responsible for facilitating communication between Coptic Church dioceses outside Egypt and the areas most in need of service within the dioceses of Egypt. The office was established by a decision of the Holy Synod in March 2024. The name 'HIGH' is an acronym for 'Hands in God's Hand'. H.O.P.E. is the social services arm of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Southern US. Established under the auspices of Bishop Youssef, H.O.P.E. serves Christians in need around the world. The service is financed purely by donations, and all services are performed by volunteer workers so that 100 per cent of each donation goes towards helping those in need. Services in Egypt include aid for underserved Egyptian families, adult education and literacy classes, aiding couples planning marriage with their new homes, and helping the elderly. In Sudan, three buses were operated to evacuate people outside the war-torn country; in Botswana, families were provided with bathrooms; addicts were helped rehabilitate; and persons with disability were cared for. In Ethiopia Kenya and other places such as Syria, Thailand, and Lebanon, food was distributed in disaster ares and orphans were given much needed care. Comments comments Tags: Basma NasserPope Tawadros HOPE organization
Watani
09-06-2025
- General
- Watani
Mayor of New York visits Anba David for Global Coptic Day
Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City and Chief Executive of New York, paid a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Bishop David of New York and New England on 31 May 2025 at the church of the Holy Virgin Mary of Zaitoun. Mr Adams came to wish Copts a happy Global Coptic Day, an annual occasion marked by the Coptic Church on 1 June, a date which coincides with the Coptic Feast of the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt. The first Global Coptic Day was celebrated on – June 2019. Bishop David welcomed Mr Adams, and spoke about the origins of the Coptic Church which was established in Egypt in the first AD century at the hands of St Mark the Apostle who was martyred in Alexandria in 68AD. The Bishop also cited the Bible on the flight of the Holy Family Flight into Egypt. He presented Mr Adams with a commemorative gift, a Coptic painting of the Holy Family in Egypt. Mr Adams praised the Coptic Church and community for their engagement in American society. He also recalled the customs and traditions of Egypt during his trip to Cairo ten years ago when he was working with the American police. Global Coptic Day has been celebrated over the past weekend and this week with sports and social activities, entertaining games for youth and children, and the delicious Egyptian meals, desserts, pastries, and baked goods that Egypt is famous for. Watani International 2 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Ashraf HelmyEric Adams New York Mayor meets Coptic Bishop David
Al-Ahram Weekly
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pope Tawadros, Vatican Pope praise Egypt stance on St. Catherine's Monastery - Society
Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, and Pope Leo XIV, head of the Vatican, praised Egypt's political leadership in a phone call on Friday evening for reaffirming that Saint Catherine's Monastery will remain untouched. Their conversation followed recent reports—repeatedly denied by Egyptian officials—claiming that authorities planned to evacuate the UNESCO World Heritage site and its Greek Orthodox monks as part of the Great Transfiguration Project. During the call, Pope Tawadros II congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church. The two religious leaders also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning the ongoing Israeli war and the resulting famine. Both called for an immediate ceasefire. Additionally, Pope Tawadros invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Egypt and the Coptic Church. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Pope Tawadros II Invites Pope Leo XIV to Visit Egypt
File photo-Egypt's Coptic Pope Tawadros II - CC CAIRO – June 7, 2025: Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, held a phone call on Friday evening, June 6, with Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican to congratulate him on his recent election as head of the Roman Catholic Church. He also extended an official invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Egypt and the Coptic Church. During the conversation, the two popes reaffirmed the deep and enduring relationship between their churches, and expressed their commitment to continuing the annual celebration of the Day of Fraternal Love, according to Bishop Moussa Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church. The discussion also addressed the ongoing suffering of the people of Gaza due to the escalating war and humanitarian crisis. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, they praised the Egyptian government's firm stance on preserving Saint Catherine's Monastery—one of the world's oldest Christian monasteries, dating back to the 6th century AD—underscoring its historical and spiritual significance. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected on Thursday as the first American pope, and took the name Leo XIV. Prevost, 69, is the267th pontiff after being elected by the College of Cardinals to succeed Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88. According to Vatican news, Prevost was Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent. He spent his childhood and adolescence with his family and studied first at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where in 1977 he earned a Degree in Mathematics and also studied Philosophy.
