Latest news with #GlobalCopticDay


Watani
12 hours ago
- 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
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Watani
Australia federal ministers join Global Coptic Day in Sydney
To mark the feast of the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt and the Global Coptic Day, both celebrated on 1 June, the St Wanas Coptic Orthodox congregation in Sydney together with their priest Father Suriel Hanna, held a celebration at their church in the neighbourhood of Plymore, west of Sydney. Fr Suriel and the congregation were elated to welcome leaders from all levels of the Australian government, including Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, Multiculturalism, Cybersecurity and the Arts; Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Industrial Relations, Occupational Health and Safety in the New South Wales State Government; and Rachel Harika, Member for the Council of Canterbury/Bankstown. Fr Suriel extended his best wishes to the church's congregation, and welcomed the attending Australian ministers. He was keen to mention that the Orthodox Church prays a litany for the leaders of our countries, asking God to grant them wisdom and zeal to carry out their publicity duties. Mr Burke gave a speech which he started with the greeting 'Christos Anesti', literal for Christ is Risen. He extended his heartfelt wishes to the Copts on the occasion of the Global Coptic Day, and the entry of the Holy Family into Egypt. Father Suriel presented souvenir paintings of the Holy Family to the attending politicians, and thanked them for making the time to visit St Wanas church and partake in the celebrations and activities. The attendants then took commemorative photos. Watani International 2 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Ashraf HelmyGlobal Coptic Day in Sydney 2025


Watani
12 hours ago
- 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