The Executive Committee of the Council of Middle East Churches held its periodic meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus, last Monday and Tuesday, in the presence of His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of Justiniana and the rest of Cyprus for the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, and with the participation of representatives from all member churches. The meetings were chaired by John the Tenth, Patriarch of Antioch and the rest of the East for the Greek Orthodox, Chairman of the Council on the Family of the Orthodox Churches.

A group of Islamic organizations in the British city of Birmingham has announced a new initiative entitled: ‘Our mosques for the homeless’, which aims to house them inside the mosques and protect them from the cold winter. For his part, Al-Azhar Observatory for Countering Extremism valued the initiative, pointing out that it indicates a practical application of the teachings of the true Islamic religion, and highlights the true meaning of tolerance of Muslims in dealing with others of different religions, races, and colors.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, received today at the Pontifical headquarters in Alexandria a large delegation of senior officials and security and military leaders. The delegation offered their best wishes to the Pope and the Coptic congregation and for all Egyptians. For his part, Pope assured that the feast is marked with three signs, namely love, joy and peace.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II arrived at the headquarters of Balina diocese in the framework of his current pastoral tour in the Diocese of Sohag Governorate, where he was received by thousands of Coptic people. Pope concluded his visit to Girga diocese yesterday where he inaugurated the church of the Virgin and met with its congregation. It is worth mentioning that Pope’s pastoral care visit includes visiting 6 dioceses in Suhag governorate, namely: Sohag, Gerga, Balina, Akhmim, Tama, and Tahta.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II opened today the Cathedral of the great Saint Abu Fam after its restoration. Pope visited Tima diocese for the first time and was accompanied by 16 bishops in addition to Bishop Isaac of Tima.

Congregation of Akhmim received Pope Tawadros II during his first Pastoral Care Visit to the diocese. People rushed to the streets in order to be able to see the car of Pope Tawadros, while he was heading to the church of St. Paul and St. Peter.

In a touch of love and an expression of thanks and gratitude, Children of Minya presented flowers to all police officers securing churches on Christmas celebrations. This is not the first time that children present flowers to policemen since they appreciate their hard working and sacrifices.

The Media Center of the Coptic Orthodox Church published an explanation of the meanings of the icon of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, saying: The icon shows Joseph the carpenter and the Virgin Mary in the star-dressed heavenly dress. On the right of the manger, we see the donkey and the bull looking to Christ to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah who said: ‘The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” (Isaiah 1: 3) The icon shows also the prophets who prophesied for the incarnation and they are Moses the Prophet, David the Prophet wearing the royal crown, Isaiah the Prophet carrying his book, Ezekiel the Prophet and he Carries the sealed door, Daniel the Prophet carrying the ninth chapter of his book, which is the vision of Daniel.

Colonel General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense, visited Pope Tawadros II to congratulate him and the Coptic people on Christmas. Zaki assured that Egypt will remain strong and united against all conspiracies and threats and praised the national positions and statement of Pope Tawadros and wished him and the Egyptians a happy new year with security and stability.

Emad Magdy, Egyptian ambassador in Ghana, visited the headquarters of the Egyptian Church in Accra to congratulate the congregation and clergy on Christmas and New Year. He was received by Fatehr Wissa, priest of the church of St. Mark in Ghana, who thanked him for his visit and praised the cooperation between the embassy and the church in serving the Egyptians abroad.

The Diocese of the Netherlands organized its annual conference of the families during the Christmas holidays with the participation of 300 people of its congregation. His Eminence, Bishop Arsani of the Diocese, met during the four-day conference with the families and many priests delivered speeches about the relationship between man and God.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Dr. Shawky Allam, Mufti of the Republic, visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to congratuate him on Christmas. This came during a visit of a large delegation of Islamic leaders and scholars to the papal headquarters in Cairo.

Pope Tawadros II assured in an interview with several newspapers that Egypt is united and that the Coptic church has great relations with the state institutions, Al-Azahr and other Christian denominations. He aded that several countries attack Egypt and try to incite instability, but we still enjoy national unity.

Bishop Illarion of the Churches of West of Alexandria visited the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and St. Philopatir in Bashayer al-Khair, Alexandria, to follow up on the final restoration works there. He was accompanied by Bishop Hermian, the General Bishop of the Churches of the East Alexandria Sector, and Father Abram Emile, General Secretary of the Patriarchate.

Pope Tawadros II said that he has taken many decision to arrange the administrative work inside the church. He explained that general secretary of the holy synod takes office for 3 years and for two rounds only instead of life time. Pope added in an interview with several newspapers that he still have many things to do.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said that the World Youth Forum shows the interest of Egyptian government towards the youth, and this gives them hope in the future. He added that Egypt takes pride in that Forum, and has showed great support for youth after appointed several deputy governors in Egypt.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II commented on the decision of bishop Serapion of Los Angeles to celebrate an early Christmas Mass on December 25 with the Western Churches, while the Coptic Church celebrates it on January 7th. Pope said that the decision doesn t include breaking the fasting and it comes to fulfill the needs of the Coptic congregation in the Diaspora, and similar decisions have been taken including replacing prayers for the Nile River by other rivers near the churches abroad, and by changing the rituals time of celebrating marriage sacrament to be held in the evening instead of the mourning.

The bishop of the Russian Church in Belgium, Bishop Simon, headed a delegation to visit the Monastery of St. Shenouda in Suhag. The delegation was received by head of the monastery and several monks. St. Shenouda the great is one of the most renowned saints of the Coptic Church who lived in the 4th century and contributed to the monastic life in Egypt and the whole world.

The media center of the Coptic Orthodox Church published the translated version of Pope Tawadros’ II sermon published in English on Soundcloud. This comes to serve the Copts in the diaspora, especially the second and third generation whose first language is English. soundcloud.com/media-center-157147919/for-he-covered-us-hh-pope-tawadros-ii-weekly-wednesday-sermon-july-17-2019

His Eminence Abba Pfinutius, Bishop of Samalout, inaugurated the church of St. Paul the Apostle in the village of Dafash along with tis icons and baptism. The church, which was erected on an area of 1,300 meters, is attached to a service building that includes Sunday School rooms, a nursery, a social club and a funeral hall.

Bishop Pachomious of Beheria and Matrouh inaugurated the church of the Virgin Mary and St. Boktor in Helmy Botros village, Abul Matamier. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bishop Bavly of Montazah and Bishop Hermina of Eastern Alexandria.