Latest news with #DivineLiturgy
Watani
6 days ago
- General
- Watani
Fifth LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum closes
The evening of Saturday 2 August saw Pope Tawadros II attend the closing ceremony of the Fifth LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum for Coptic Orthodox youth from around the world. The week-long event was held at the Logos Centre in the Western Desert monastery of Anba Bishoy in Wadi al-Natroun some 120km northwest Cairo, with participation of 250 young people from the Coptic Orthodox Church in 44 countries around the world. A number of metropolitans, bishops, priests, and public figures were present at the closing night. A documentary was screened showing the activities of the Fifth Forum. This was followed by reading the 'Pledge' by the youth participants, led by Fr Younan Samir, the Forum Leader. The pledge contained their commitment to uphold the values they learned during the forum, to preserve and live according to the faith of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and to be ambassadors for the Church in their respective countries through their actions and words. Pope Tawadros presented commemorative certificates to the forum youth. Three young people from Australia, Indonesia, and the United States spoke about their personal experiences and reflections on the forum. Their heartfelt words testified to the strength of the forum's message and its profound impact. They expressed their deep appreciation of the richness, vitality, and heritage of their Coptic Orthodox Church, which they had experienced during the gathering. They cited their profound appreciation of their experience of the Divine Liturgy and the other sacraments, as well as the fatherly love they had personally experienced from Pope Tawadros. These sentiments were echoed by many other participants in interviews presented during the event. The LOGOS Coptic Youth Forums for young people from around the world consistently bear the motto 'Back to the Roots', while this year's forum is held under the theme 'Connected'. This theme affirms that our Coptic Orthodox Church is grounded in a continuous connection between its fathers and children, whereby the sound faith is passed down from generation to generation. This year's forum coincided with the Church's celebration of the 17th centennial of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The theme 'Connected' reflected connection to one another, to communities, and to the present age—with openness rooted in faith—fulfilling the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ: 'You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world'(Matthew 5:13–14). In his closing address, Pope Tawadros expressed his great joy at the forum, noting that the experiences the youth had gained during the week were treasures that must be invested in their lives. He stressed the forum's main gifts: 1. An outstanding model of service – which they witnessed and enjoyed, and from which they can benefit in the future. 2. A taste of the beauty of the Church, which is a home where we live, a mother who takes us in her bosom and teaches us, a harbour of salvation, offering refuge and protection. The Pope thanked everyone who had supported the forum—whether through thought, service, financial contribution, or organization. He urged the youth, upon returning to their home countries, to share with everyone they meet—in their families, churches, and communities—the details of what they saw, heard, and lived during the forum. Even after the ceremony concluded, the youth lingered around the Pope for last words and selfies, and mingled with the bishops and priests, their smiles mirroring their joy. Watani International 3 August 2025 Comments comments Tags: 5th LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum Connected 2025Mariam Farouq
Watani
28-06-2025
- General
- Watani
In pictures: New Coptic Orthodox church opens in Fort Worth, Texas
On the evening of 21 June, Anba Youssef, Metropolitan of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Texas, Florida, and Southern United States presided over the opening and consecration of the Church of Mar-Mina in Fort Worth, Texas. The joyful event was attended by Bishops-General Basil and Gregory, also by the priests of the church and a large congregation. The celebration began with Bishop Youssef cutting the ribbon to officially open the new church, amid scenes of great spiritual joy and thanksgiving. Following the inauguration, the Metropolitan led the consecration ritual which was followed by a night of prayer, readings, and hymns that extended through the night, and concluded with celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the morning of Sunday 22 June which coincided with the feast of Mar-Mina. Watani International Comments comments Tags: Ashraf HelmyTags: New Coptic church in Fort Worth Texas
The Hill
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Mideast governments condemn suicide bombing of Syrian church as death toll rises to 25
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The death toll from a suicide bomb attack on a church in Syria at the weekend has risen to 25, state media said Monday. The attack Sunday on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox church during a Divine Liturgy in Dweil'a, near Damascus, was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities. The Interior Ministry and witnesses said a gunman entered the church and opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest. State news agency SANA, citing the Health Ministry, said 63 other people were wounded in the attack. Father Fadi Ghattas told The Associated Press that some 350 people were praying at the church. The United States, the European Union and governments across the Middle East condemned the attack, decrying it as a terrorist attack. 'These terrible acts of cowardice have no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving,' said U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack in a post on X. 'We continue to support the Syrian government as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region.' Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry in a statement affirmed Riyadh's rejection of 'the targeting of places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the innocent bloodshed.' As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on the church, but the Interior Minister has blamed the extremist Islamic State group. Syrians decried the attack, many seeing it as a blow to stability in the country after 14 years of war. Syrian Christians have appealed that the attack is not just a threat against them but to everyone in the country regardless of their religious affiliation. 'It is definitely an attack on civil peace and coexistence in this country,' said Wassim Boutros, who lives in Damascus. Wajiha umm Mohammed said that she and her daughter were devastated to learn that one of their friends was killed in the attack. 'All our lives, we've been Christians and Muslims together—living side by side,' umm Mohammed, a Muslim, said. 'We've never let anything divide us, and we won't start now.' She called for more government action to protect minorities. 'On our holiday—Eid al-Adha—there was a strong security presence at the mosque. So during mass, there should also be security, with checks on who goes in and out and proper screening,' she said. 'Where was the security for this? This isn't right — it's wrong.' The bombed church held a vigil to pray for the victims of the attack. 'We Christians love the enemy before the ally. We forgive and we love,' said one lady at the church, struggling to hold back her tears. 'Why do they harm us? Is it because we are a religion of love?' Father Semaan Ayoub, one of many clergymen from around Damascus who attended said the attack was not 'humane, religious, or moral.' 'We've heard of such attacks, but now we have felt the pain of it, unfortunately,' Ayoub told the AP after the vigil. 'We are peaceful people. We won't respond to evil with evil.' Since the toppling of Bashar Assad and his family's decades-long dictatorial rule of Syria last December in a lightning insurgency, al-Sharaa has been pushing to win the support of Syria's non-Sunni-Muslim minority groups who are concerned about life under Islamist rule. — Chehayeb reported from Beirut.
Toronto Star
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Mideast governments condemn suicide bombing of Syrian church as death toll rises to 25
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The death toll from a suicide bomb attack on a church in Syria at the weekend has risen to 25, state media said Monday. The attack Sunday on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox church during a Divine Liturgy in Dweil'a, near Damascus, was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities.
Toronto Star
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Mideast governments condemn Syria church bombing as death toll jumps to 25
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The death toll from an attack on a church in Syria has gone up to 25, state media said Monday. The attack Sunday on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox church during a Divine Liturgy in Dweil'a near Damascus was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities. As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country.
