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Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Azhar, Coptic Orthodox Church condemn Damascus church suicide bombing - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's Al-Azhar, the world's largest Muslim Sunni institution, and the Coptic Orthodox Church strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the Syrian capital that killed at least 22 people and left 63 others wounded on Sunday. The suicide bomber opened fire on the congregation of the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus during a Sunday evening service before detonating an explosive vest, according to the Syrian Ministry of Interior. In a statement, Al-Azhar strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Mar Elias Church in the Al-Duwaila'a area east of Damascus, claiming the lives of dozens of innocent civilians and injuring many others at the hands of a 'brutal terrorist' devoid of all sense of humanity and compassion. The statement affirmed Al-Azhar's stance toward such barbaric crimes, which contradict entirely the objectives of divine religions and the teachings of human morality. The Islamic institution described the attack as a blatant violation of human rights to life, security, and worship, fueling the flames of discord among citizens of the same nation. Al-Azhar called on everyone to stand firmly against this dark terrorism in all its forms and exert every effort to stabilize the region, protect civilians, and save them from the grip of violence and abhorrent sectarianism. Moreover, it extended its heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the victims' families, affirming its solidarity with the Syrian people in their immense grief and praying to God to grant patience and solace to all and hasten the recovery of the wounded. In a similar statement, the Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by Pope Tawadros II, said it mourns the martyrs who entered the paradise of bliss after falling victim to the treacherous suicide bombing. The church also condemned this heinous act and all similar forms of violence and intimidation, which deprive a human being of their natural right to a safe life. "We pray that the consolations of the Holy Spirit fill the heart of our brother, His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and the hearts of all the martyrs' families,' the statement said. "May the Lord grant speedy recovery to the wounded and bless beloved Syria, our region, and the whole world with peace and reassurance," it added. Syrian authorities said the attacker appeared to have ties to the Islamic State. The attack is the first known suicide bombing in the capital since Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Serbia expresses interest in deepening ties with Al-Azhar - Foreign Affairs
Serbian Prime Minister Duro Mascut expressed his pleasure on Wednesday at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, affirming Serbia's interest in deepening its relationship with Al-Azhar. This came during PM Mascut's meeting with Sheikh El-Tayyeb at Al-Azhar's headquarters. During the meeting, Mascut voiced his country's commitment to enhancing cooperation in education and religious dialogue by sending Serbian students to study at Al-Azhar at the university level and pre-university education. He also conveyed Serbia's desire to sign cooperation protocols between Al-Azhar University and Serbian universities to support joint academic and research projects, including faculty and student exchanges. The Serbian prime minister reiterated his country's keenness to strengthen ties with Islamic institutions, particularly Al-Azhar. Moreover, he affirmed Serbia's support for the Palestinian cause, evident in its vote in favor of granting Palestine full membership at the United Nations and its consistent position in support of the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state. For his part, Sheikh El-Tayyeb affirmed Al-Azhar's readiness to meet the needs of Serbian Muslims by training imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He said the training will equip religious leaders to address contemporary intellectual and social challenges, such as promoting human fraternity, positive coexistence, women's rights in Islam, and rational rebuttals to extremist ideologies. El-Tayyeb also expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to welcome Serbian Muslim students to study at Al-Azhar University and establish a centre for Arabic language education in Serbia to help Muslim community members learn the Quran language. The grand imam stressed that peace and mutual understanding are Al-Azhar's core principles. He stated that Al-Azhar instills in its students a deep sense of patriotism, respect for diversity, and openness to others. "Difference is a divine universal law, and peaceful coexistence is central to Islamic teaching," he highlighted. Meeting with Pope Tawadros II Earlier on Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, received Prime Minister Muscat and his accompanying delegation at the papal residence in Cairo as part of his current official visit to Egypt. Upon his arrival, the Serbian prime minister wrote a message in the VIP visitors' book before beginning his meeting with the pope. During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II welcomed PM Muscat, recalling their previous meeting in Belgrade a long time ago. "Although the visit lasted only a few days, it left many beautiful memories. When I returned to Egypt, I spoke to many people about your beautiful country,' the pope said. He noted that the Coptic Orthodox Church, founded in the first century, is a centuries-old church that has played a vital role in Egyptian society. "Egypt is the only country the Holy Family visited, which gives it great significance in both religious tourism and sacred history. This visit sanctified the land of Egypt, making it one of Christianty's holy lands alongside Palestine," Pope Tawdros II added. The pope highlighted that Saint Mark the Apostle founded the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Saint Anthony was the first to practice monasticism, a path followed by monks worldwide. This affirms the church's profound role in Christian life. He further noted that the church serves society in Egypt and abroad. 'I hoped your visit could include more of the historical and religious landmarks that Egypt is known for,' he told the Serbian prime minister, adding that the Egyptian government is very interested in the path of the Holy Family, part of which was on land and part through the Nile River. Pope Tawadros also emphasized the importance of promoting religious tourism between Egypt and Serbia. For his part, PM Mascut expressed his honour at meeting Pope Tawadros II again, praising the Coptic Orthodox Church for preserving Christian history and highlighting the Coptic community's vital role in Egyptian society. He also recalled the pope's recent visit to Serbia as warm and memorable, noting that this trip to Egypt marks his first official foreign visit as prime minister. Furthermore, Mascut conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian prime minister also said he had seen the church in Egypt's New Administrative Capital during his meeting with the Egyptian prime minister. Pope Tawadros said this church is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on the same day as the Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque. He pointed out that the Coptic Orthodox Church enjoys good relations with the president, the government, Al-Azhar, and other Christian churches in Egypt and worldwide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Watani
10-06-2025
- General
- Watani
Coptic Church hosts global celebration of 17 centuries on Nicaea Council
The Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod issued a statement on hosting a global celebration of 17 centuries on Nicaea Council. The statement said that the Coptic Orthodox Church will be hosting the International Conference on the World Celebration of 17 centuries on the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325AD. The Synod welcomed the event within the framework of the Coptic Church's role and responsibilities in the world ecumenical movement, in honour and veneration of the Church fathers among whom are Pope Alexandros, the 19th Patriarch of Alexandria, who participated in the Nicaea Council; and Pope Athanasius the Apostolic, the 20th Patriarch from 328 to 373, together with other heroes who safeguarded the orthodox faith. The conference will be held in October 2025 under the auspices of the World Council of Church's (WCC) Faith and Order Committee. It is the first time, the statement said, that such a conference is hosted by an Oriental Orthodox Church, and is the sixth to be held during the last 100 years. The first was held in 1927 in Lausanne, Switzerland; the second in 1937 Edinburgh, Scotland; the third in 1952 in Lund, Sweden; the fourth in 1963 in Montreal, Canada; and the fifth in 1993 in Santiago, Spain. 'In this regard,' the statement read, 'the [Coptic Orthodox] Holy Synod would like to stress that the conference is not a theological dialogue on Christian doctrines, but an opportunity to present research theses on the Council of Nicaea as a model in the face of heresies facing the Christian faith, given that the Council of Nicaea was a 'historical moment', when the Christian Church in the world was one. 'This means that the conference represents an academic opportunity in which research papers express the views of their writers, be those priests, professors or scholars. Therefore, the conference will not issue any resolutions, decisions, agreements, signatures, or even recommendations, but it may issue media statements only. 'It is known that our Coptic Orthodox Church has been a member of the World Council of Churches since 1954, and is also a member of regional and local church councils. More than 300 Churches and communities from more than 100 countries are members in the World Council of Churches. Eastern churches account for only 15 per cent of the members, while the proportion of Western churches amounts to 85 per cent. 'Our Church's hosting of this world event comes within the framework of its effective and strong role in spiritual work and strengthening of all Christian Churches inside and outside Egypt, because we are not isolated from the world. Rather, we have Coptic churches and monasteries in more than 60 countries in the world, and we entertain loving relations and communication with the other Churches present in these countries. We participate in theological dialogue to explain and present the orthodox faith on the basis of the glorious history of our Church and upright faith, and we always pray for unity of faith and an end to Church division. 'Over the last few years, we succeeded in hosting important Church events such as the 12th General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches in 2022, the meeting of representatives of the Orthodox Churches in the world in 2024, the meeting of the Patriarchy of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East in 2025, and other international conventions.' The statement concluded with prayer for the great upcoming canonical event, to be crowned with success and fruitfulness. Comments comments
Watani
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Watani
Coptic Synod in June 2025 assembly
On 5 June 2025, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church held its general assembly session at the conclusion of its regular convention for the year 2025. The general assembly is traditionally held every year around the date of the Feast of the Pentecost, in a nod to the ministry and service of the Apostles which started following their acceptance of the Holy Spirit on the day of the Pentecost, and extends through the Church to this day. Pope Tawadros II presided over the session which was attended by 112 Synod members out of a total of 139. The session began with Pope Tawadros reading a passage from the Book of Revelation (2:1–7), focusing on five phrases from the text: 'I know your works' (v. 2): This refers to the works directed toward souls, which we perform as shepherds with a pure heart and good conscience—acts of love and mercy. 'Nevertheless I have this against you' (v. 4): A call for self-examination and conscience searching, delivered to us gently by God so we may become alerted to ourselves. 'To him who overcomes' (v. 7): An invitation to spiritual struggle against inner inclinations. Our life on earth is a time of testing in which we must overcome. 'He who has an ear, let him hear' (v. 7): Refers to the ear of the heart, by which we hear and obey. Blessed is he who obeys the commandments of the Holy Bible. 'What the Spirit says to the churches' (v. 7): This refers to spiritual leadership. The Synod committee rapporteurs presented the Synod with the recommendations of each committee. These recommendations were discussed thoroughly, and after the discussion of each committee's report, the final content of the recommendation was agreed upon by consensus. The Synodal Committee for Public Relations recommended developing curricula for all Church services to alert all members of the congregation to the importance and necessity of active participation in national community service and volunteer work, with a view to consolidating the spirit of citizenship while highlighting the societal role of the Copts. The Synodal Committee for Media and Information recommended the formation of a mini-committee to develop a vision for spreading sound ecclesiastical thought on the Internet, and increasing the familiarity of the congregation and Church servants with Internet technology and artificial intelligence AI. This should be invested in preparing interesting and attractive sermons and Sunday School lessons. The Synodal Committee for Ecumenical Relations recommended that the Coptic Orthodox Church should seek to address the dispute between the Syriac-Indian Orthodox Church and the Indian Orthodox Church. With this in sight, a meeting is scheduled to be held in Cairo where Pope Tawadros will urge discussion of the differences in order to preserve the unity of the Oriental Orthodox Churches family. The Coptic Orthodox Church is following with concern the predicament of the Monastery of St Catherine in Sinai and appreciates the Egyptian State's position in not harming the monastery or the monastic life in there. The Synodal Committee for [Social] Care and Service recommended running a development programme for innovators and athletes from among persons with disabilities, with an exchange of experiences between dioceses. it also recommended necessarily running meetings for the families of prisoners, and helping released prisoners in all dioceses find jobs. It was also recommended that welfare and development offices should be formed and activated in each diocese, and that coordination should be encouraged between them and the Development Partners Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The necessity of raising awareness of the dangers of illegal migration was stressed, as was the setting up of programmes for building gender identity among children, with a focus on training priests, parents and Church servants on prevention and sound psychological and physical education on that score. The committee also recommended that the computers and modern technology should be made mainstream in Coptic hospitals, for the benefit the hospitals and patients. Preparations are underway, the Committee stressed, for the project of the General Secretariat of Coptic Hospitals in Cairo, similar to that of the Coptic hospitals in Alexandria. The Synodal Committee for the family recommended that the 'Groom and bride's pledge' should be carefully read before the marriage ceremony, and that the recently enacted law of the rights of the elderly should be studied to make maximum benefit of it. The Synodal Committee for Faith and Teaching recommended that work on the catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church should continue. The Synodal Committee for Rituals recommended that a feast of Zacchaeus the tax collector who is commemorated on 3 Hathor, 13 November, should be added to the Church feasts and his story should be included in the Coptic Synaxarium on that date. The Synodal Committee for Diocese Affairs recommended that a meeting should be held among the clerical councils for family affairs and Fr Sergius Serguis, deputy-general of the patriarchate in Cairo, to discuss engagement and marriage contacts. The Synodal Committee for Monasticism and Monasteries recommended that monks should be encouraged to conduct serious academic studies on theology and doctrine. It also recommended issuing a non-periodical publication that would present research papers and articles, and that it would be edited by the various Coptic monasteries in turn. The Synodal Committee for Diaspora Affairs recommended to continue encouraging trips by service organisations in the Diaspora to the Mother Church in Egypt, with a view to providing services and development projects to dioceses and churches in Egypt. It also recommended holding regular on-line meetings between the Pope and Coptic Orthodox dioceses in North America and Europe which should be divided into sectors according to the number of churches; these meetings are to be held at the level of priests, Church servants, youth and, if possible families. Church servants and young people should be familiarised with the use of AI wisely and perceptively, and cautioned against providing inaccurate theological or doctrinal content. The Holy Synod concluded with approving the revival of monastic life, and officially recognised the monastery of the Archangel Michael in the Eastern Mountain of Girga, Sohag some 500km south of Cairo, as a thriving functioning monastery. The Synod also decided to add the event of a joint liturgy held by the Patriarchs of the three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East—commemorating the 17th centenary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea—to the Synaxarium on the 10 Bashans, 19 May. Finally, the Synod issued a welcoming statement regarding the Coptic Orthodox Church's hosting of the Sixth International Conference of the World Council of Churches, marking the 17th centenary of the Council of Nicaea. The Synod elected Anba Yu'annis, Bishop of Assiut, as the new Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Additionally, three of bishops were elected as Assistant Secretaries: Anba Stephanous, Bishop of Biba and al-Fashn; Anna Markos, Bishop of Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, and al-Barari, and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Demiana in al-Barari; and Anba Marc, Bishop of Paris and Northern France. The elections were conducted by secret ballot; Anna Yu'annis and the Assistant Secretaries, won by overwhelming majority. Pope Tawadros and the Synod members extended their heartfelt thanks to Anba Danial, Metropolitan of Maadi, and his Assistant Secretaries, whose term of service concluded according to the Synod's laws. Comments comments Tags: Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod June 2025Nader Shukry
Watani
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Watani
Pope Tawadros II calls Pope Leo XIV
Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, made a phone call on the evening of 6 June 2025 to Pope Leo XIV to congratulate him on being elected as Pope, to shoulder the responsibility of leading the Roman Catholic Church. During the call, the two Popes affirmed the continued warm relationship of love between the two Churches of Rome and Alexandria, and the annual celebration of the Day of Brotherly Love between the two Churches on 10 May. Their conversation dealt with the suffering of the people of Gaza owing to war and famine, stressing the urgent need for an immediate end to assaults. They also talked about the issue of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai and the current land dispute with the Egyptian government, expressing appreciation for Egypt's political leadership and the government's affirmation that the 6th-century Orthodox monastery and its monks will always remain protected and unharmed. The call concluded with Pope Tawadros extending an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Egypt and the Church of Egypt. Comments comments Tags: Mariam FarouqPope Tawadros call Pope Leo XIV
