This sad, abusive picture that represents the main character of the movie The Nun holding an upside down cross as if she is participating in the rituals of the Devil worshipers, was not taken in France that considers insulting religious symbols as freedom, nor in America the land of Halloween. Rather, it was taken in Egypt, which usually affirms its rejection of insulting religions and their symbols, and calls other countries to do the same! In the city of Alexandria, the management of a store decided to celebrate Halloween in its American version several days ago by insulting the religious symbols of the Copts. This comes while Egyptian Christians are racing to declare their solidarity with their Muslim brothers against insulting their religion and religious symbols on the occasion of the publication of offensive cartoons in France. I want to make it clear that celebrating Halloween has never been part of Egyptian culture, but all Egyptians know the cross as a religious symbol for Christians. Whether it was an unpleasant joke, a search for cheap fame, or even an attempt to repay an insult, the whole thing was a clear mistake that reflects bad thought and management. It may even grant a license to insulting religious symbols, in accordance with the principle of freedom of expression, which is exactly what French magazines do when mocking Christian and Islamic sanctities alike.

There are several characters in the Holy Bible who were only human with special characteristics and traits that successive generations can learn from in order to acquire their virtues and walk in their successful ways. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, in his article "Professor, Student and Colleague," told us about three figures from the Bible who appeared at the beginning of the Christian Church in the first century, the first of which is Gamaliel who was a great teacher of the law in the Jewish history, and he was one of Professors of the Apostle Paul in the study of Jewish law. He was the first person from the Jews to demand the lifting of restrictions on the messengers of Christ and to stop their persecution assuring their work will only succeed if supported by God adding that resisting the will of God is evil. He was a scholar of law, and had the courage to declare his opinion and express himself, the courage characterized by wisdom and without haste or recklessness, which is a quality that every person needs to gain the respect of everyone and be honest with himself and not fall into the sins of recklessness and haste. The second disciple, Saul of Tarsus or Paul the Apostle, who was known with jealousy and enthusiasm for his Judaism and persecuted Christians relentlessly and drove them mercilessly from Jerusalem and outside. He threw many of them into prison in increasing numbers., but God opened his heart before the love and mercy of Christ, so he transformed and changed, and Paul the Apostle gained new life and insight, and became one of the pillars of preaching the name of the Lord Jesus in the whole world. We learn from him that God wants everyone to be saved, for He accepts sinners and creates in them a new heart full of His love. The third disciple: Barnabas, a classmate with Paul the Apostle, would have had the greatest merit in introducing the Apostle Paul to the rest of the disciples if he extended his hand to Paul to encourage him and include him among the disciples as they were suspicious of him. The second is for the Apostle Paul, when he insisted that Mark be given a second opportunity to encourage him at a time when Paul objected to accompanying him, Barnabas did not look at the person in terms of his past and his negatives, but rather how the grace and mercy of God could work and use man to be successful and effective, he did not look back. Let us learn from these personalities and renew our lives acquiring such beautiful qualities ...

The North Sinai Governorate began developing the path of the Holy Family, in the Farma area, Balouza village, Bir al-Abd center, due to its historical importance as one of the Holy Family s passage points during its trip to Egypt. The governorate participates in the national project to revive the path of the Holy Family, and its path is considered the longest route in one country, with a length of 3,500 kilometers, back and forth, in the journey that took 47 months. This development comes with improving the efficiency of the infrastructure, paving the road leading to it, lighting it, planting it, connecting a line for fresh water to it, establishing guide panels and umbrellas for visitors to rest, improving the level of services, building a wall surrounding the archaeological sites, establishing a museum and a center for traditional crafts, including the work of embroidering the Bedouin dress and traditional carpet, the leaf products of palm fronds, the manufacture of pastries, drying of dates, sea snails, and olive oil products. We have to mention here the Rafah Church, which was destroyed by terrorism, and should be rebuilt as a distinctive sign of the path of the Holy Family, and the entrance to the family on the eastern borders of Egypt. Greetings to those in charge of the project in all its stages, especially with regard to North Sinai Governorate, which has been subjected to injustice and neglect by previous regimes and has been targeted and manipulated by terrorists.

The common people repeat many slogans of political Islam in a superficial, emotional manner, unaware of the meanings. One of these slogans that the masses repeat without awareness of its results is “The nationality of a Muslim is his religion” and “whenever the name of God is mentioned in a country, it is considered part of the homeland”. Many of them introduces himself as a (Muslim born in Egypt), since Egypt or any country is a land of religion. Many ordinary people proceed behind this saying, believing that this is just a romantic emotional affiliation closer to symbolism than to the truth on which positions and opinions are based. However, this inner feeling that does not cost its owner any effort is believed to be rewarded by God for it, even without any effort. People didn t understand the former guide of the Muslim Brotherhood who said that he doesn t care about Egypt and that a Malaysian Muslim president to Egypt is more accepted than an Egyptian Christian. Such ideology doesn t care about country and its development rather than supporting the Islamic Caliphate. Here, the meanings of great betrayal becomes uncertain, vague and unclear to the person. Here, intelligence agencies can use ideological affiliation or religion next to their classic tools of money and sex to recruit new agents. I can t imagine strangers running for presidential elections only because of their ideological affiliation. In that farce, we can see Malaysian, Italian, Israeli, Iranian and Turkish nominate for the presidency of Egypt, while Egyptians are not allowed to run only because of their religion! In that imaginary country, spying for Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not act of treason, but jihad to be rewarded in heaven.

Terrorists keep attacking churches, Journalists and teachers in France and Arab countries still condemn the victim, not the doer or the values behind these attacks. Unfrotunatelly, Arab and Muslim countries keep feeding their peole with ideas to hate others who are different in belifs and culture and that results in such big indecent that kill innocent people who have different culture.

Yes, we are similar, but we still carry many aspects of difference, and in this difference there should be integration and life. Reason and religion agreed to accept such difference. God, the Creator of all, wanted this diversity for us in a way that would benefit humanity. It is a self-evident matter from which human beings must benefit just as the body benefits from its various organs. The different parts of the body complement each other to perform basic functions for a person s life. But when the human mind becomes full of hatred, it begins to lose contact with its reason and God, the creator of his soul. Here, man becomes able to kill and slaughter in cold blood. Perhaps, he no longer sees a means for dialogue and begins a journey to death, realizing that it will put an end to his miserable life, with no hope to be accepted in his society or no hope in life. This blood-stained hatred is no longer the preserve of primitive and backward societies. Rather, it has reached one of the most important and prestigious European countries, France, which bears the slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity " and unfortunately transformed into equality in the use of violence and freedom to kill other humans. When ignorance, intolerance and rejection of the other spread, a person sees nothing but himself and is filled with hatred for everything that is different. Here, people give up the divine intention of human diversity. Soon, they lose rationality and spiritual relationship with God. The increasing hatred turns into fire that destroys everything and a destruction that does not exclude himself and everything he loves. Human beings must return to accepting their differences and searching for what unites them in humanity. Although there are great differences between the inhabitants of the countries of East and West, the attempt to understand each side and lay the foundations for mutual respect, in a way that does not harm the freedom of either side and respects their differences, is certainly the starting point for solving this bloody dilemma.

What is happening now in Egyptian society is a regrettable matter that we have not seen before, whether in social, political or even religious circles. Some people tend to track the mistakes of others and publish them without verification, just to expose and defame them. Therefore, more liars, conspirators, and ignorant people claiming knowledge appeared. Many people talk about faith, but never knew God, and many are claiming knowledge, but never read a book. Electronic teams and committees have appeared, hunting for the mistakes of honorable people and contaminating their reputations. Pages appeared criticizing a thought that they had not read anything about. Those ignorant people don t hesitate to accuse those who contradict their negligence of blasphemy, heresy and innovation. They imagine that they possess the absolute truth. No one can claim this, for the absolute truth is God and owned by God. As for me and you, our thoughts may be right or wrong. In our society, we may have different ideology, beliefs, orientations or goals, but we need to be united on our humanity, our patriotism, our peaceful coexistence, and our respect for each other. We can see conflict and rivalry in every direction in society, between politicians, between people of religions, between spiritual leaders of one church. An electronic war may begin by just a Muslim s mercy on a deceased Christian, and you suddenly find yourself facing clash between religions. I remember one day when I was at a celebration for Arab Americans in Southern California, while I was passing between the tents set up to sell Arab souvenirs and clothes and the people who gave me a Bible as a free gift. Immediately after that I found someone who gives me the Qur an as a free gift and I rejoiced in this upscale scene and said to myself this is true freedom and an example for our children to respect the other. However, my joy did not last long. In the middle of the day, I was surprised by the sounds of police cars interfering with the sounds of a quarrel with hands and tongues between a group of Arabs due to the fact that some Christians and Muslims found a group of Bibles and Qur ans thrown in the trash. The police forbade the sale of these books and asked the quarrels to reconcile, otherwise they would be arrested. People tend to reject one another instead of showing love, peaceful coexistence, and understanding. Several decades ago, the deceased Pope Shenouda III demanded President Sadat and the Sheikh of Al-Azhar to prepare a curricula on peaceful religion rules of Islam and Christianity to be educated in Egyptian schools. They were welcomed, but soon ignored to leave its place for extremism. I hope we wakeup before it is too late.

Last Thursday, the representatives of the Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic Churches have submitted the Egyptian Personal Status Family Law in its final form that was agreed upon by all churches, which was submitted to the cabinet. The law is to be applied on all Egyptians, with specific articles for each church, which reflects Article Three of the Constitution that states: The principles of the canons of Egyptians, both Christians and Jews, are the main source of legislation governing concerning their personal status, religious affairs and choosing their spiritual leaders. We hope that the draft will be passed by the Parliament to fulfill the legislative requirement of the Constitution through a law that governs family and personal status affairs of all Christians, and which would be the basis for Egyptian court rulings in family cases. We hope that this law would settle a long, complicated legacy relating to unresolved family and personal status affairs of Christians, including issues of inheritance, that have gone on for decades on end. We also hope that this law alleviates current and future Christian family difficulties. I have written previously about the file of the personal status of Christians and looking forward to achieving the constitutional entitlement in this regard. For years, I have wondered about its delay, but now I am happy that the law will be referred to Parliament followed hopefully by approval to solve many waiting cases of Egyptian families.

On Tuesday morning, October 26, 2010, the great scientist Dr. Samir Fawzy Gerges left our mortal world. He is one of the loyal Coptic Orthodox Church members who have done much to serve the Church in general and the Coptic Orthodox Church in Switzerland in particular. I have known the honorable Reverend Doctor Samir Gerges personally since His Holiness Pope Shenouda III chose me to serve the Coptic Church in Switzerland in 1983, and my relationship with him continued throughout the past years until his departure. Dr. Samir Fawzy Gerges was entrusted by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to carry out the necessary procedures for the travel of the Coptic monk, who had been chosen to establish a permanent service for the Copts in Switzerland. During the crisis between President Sadat and Pope Shenouda in September 1981, Dr. Samir visited Pope Shenouda and several times did he show the Pope his researches and books in the area of Coptic history. His honorable wife, Madame Root, had an active role in the ministry, especially in the field of translation. In this article, I would like to present a glimpse into the life of Dr. Samir Gerges, then turn to his contributions to the service of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Dr. Samir Fawzi Gerges was born in Ashmoun, Al-Moufia Governorate, on April 8, 1934. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Department of History, Ain Shams University in 1956. He traveled to Switzerland in 1958 for higher studies. He obtained a doctorate in history from the University of Zurich in May 1966 and taught history in several Swiss universities and then became head of the history department at the Buchmann Institute in Zurich. He won the Scientific Research Prize in Switzerland as well as an award from the Supreme Council of the University of Zurich in 1962. Dr. Samir put his knowledge in the service of the Church, so he took an interest in Coptic history and His Holiness Pope Shenouda III entrusted him with teaching the subject of ecclesiastical history at the Pope Shenouda III Theological College in Germany. Dr. Samir Gerges has done several researches and studies in the field of Coptic history. He is particularly interested in the history of the Theban Legion and its leader, Saint Maurice, and is interested in presenting a historical study documented in ancient manuscripts of the history of the Theban Legion and proving the Coptic origin of its members. His studies in the field of the history of the Theban Legion are considered the first Coptic studies of these Coptic saints. His scientific studies helped to commemorate these saints among the scientific circles in Switzerland and among the Coptic people in Egypt and abroad. His efforts gave great attention to the Theban Legion, Saint Morris and Saint Verina by many people including myself. The very first Church on their names was built in the Bishopric of Services building in 1994 and His Holiness the Pope inaugurated it. Churches were also established on their names outside Egypt, especially in the diocese of Los Angeles. Dr. Samir Gerges has many books on Coptic history. He has 9 articles in the Coptic Encyclopedia on the Theban Legion, Saint Maurice, Saint Verena, Saints Felix, Regula, Xoyertthios and Saint Boktor in English. He was the editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of "Coptic Heritage", which is an encyclopedia in the Arabic language that includes 6 volumes. The first volume: From the history of Copts. The second volume: Faith, worship, and ascetic life. Volume Three: Coptic Archeology, Arts, and Architecture. Volume Four: Science, Education, Social Life, and Coptic Press. Volume V: Canon Law and Church Relations. Sixth volume: Coptic language, Coptic literary heritage, Coptic music and melodies. 3- A Chronology of St. Mark. Mark is a very valuable book and is distinguished by its scientific and historical accuracy in tracing the life of Saint Mark. This book was issued in English by the Mark Coptic History Foundation. He also published a book on Mark, issued by the Egyptian House of Knowledge. 4- A collection of books on the Theban Legion and its saints issued in English and German by the Saint Pachom Publishing Foundation, which was founded by Dr. Samir Gerges to publish his books. We mention from these books: “The Theban Legion in Switzerland” published in 1985, “Saint Maurice, commander of the Theban Legion,” published in 1993, and “The Coptic Origin of the Theban Legion,” published in 1990 on the occasion of the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Maurice, as well as the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Federal Federation. The book "Saint Verena and the Theban Legion" in Arabic, which includes a translation of the original references of the biography of Saint Verena in the oldest Latin manuscripts found in Switzerland. This book was published in 2009, and it is considered the last book issued by Dr. Samir Gerges. It was prepared by his wife, Root Gerges. 5- In 1987 he published a book entitled “The Egyptians and Western Civilization” and a book to introduce the Coptic Church, titled “What is the Alexandria Coptic Orthodox Church”. These two books were published in English and German. 6- He issued a volume of tourist guides about Egypt, which consists of 800 pages in German, and is considered a reference for German tourists who visit Egypt. 7- Participated with the late Dr. Aziz Attia Sourial in many Coptic historical researches. The late Dr. Samir Gerges was an active member of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Switzerland. I have witnessed his activities and service since I went as a monk priest to start a permanent service for Copts in Switzerland in 1983, and my visits to Switzerland continued after my ordination as a general bishop of the bishop of public and social services, before I started serving Los Angeles Bishopric. I ordained Dr. Samir Gerges as a deacon in the rank of Absalatus in 1985, which was the first ordination that I performed after my ordination as a bishop. He was an active deacon, who was keen to attend Holy Liturgies, and had an important role in translation. In the beginning of my service in Switzerland at St. Mark s Church in Zurich, he helped me a lot in learning the German language and he used to translate sermons during the Holy Mass. When I was invited to give a lecture in German in a Swiss monastery or church, he used to help me prepare the lecture in German and trained me to deliver it properly. He is indeed one of the founders of the Coptic Church in Switzerland. He played an active role in all necessary procedures with the Swiss authorities to allow a Coptic priest to take care of Copts in 1983. He is also credited with building good relations with the Swiss churches, especially the Catholic monastery of Einsiedeln in which I stayed during my service In Switzerland, it became a residence for the monks who came to serve the German sector. And as a result of his contacts and relations, the Coptic Church in the emerging Switzerland was given a prominent role during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Switzerland in 1984. He played an active and effective role in negotiations with the Geneva government until we got a church to pray there in 1985, before buying the current Church of the Virgin in Geneva. Dr. Samir Gerges had an unannounced service to help newcomers, especially in the German sector. He also helped the late honorable engineer, Adly Abader, in a program to provide study aid for many Coptic students who were studying in European universities. Dr. Samir Gerges also had a pioneering role in registering the Coptic Orthodox Church in Switzerland and establishing Bylaws for it. It is very hard to record all the virtues and contributions of Dr. Samir Gerges in the service of his church, which he loved with all his heart and was an example of great, yet humble and spiritual scientist. We pray that God will depart his soul in the paradise of joy and grant heavenly consolation to all members of his family and all his disciples and loved ones. May the Lord receive him saying: Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. (Matthew 25:21)

When you hear the name messi you mean the most talented soccer player on earth, however, is it enough for his team to win a game? The answer is no because soccer is about the team not about a player. The same in any work or organization, no organization can succeed by having one talented person in the organization but all has to do his role in his position.

For the first time, a woman from Qusiya and Assiut took the oath in the Senate. Hind Joseph reminds me that she is a great successor to Dr. Hikmat Abu Zeid from the same city. Hikmat was the first Minister of Social Affairs during the era of Gamal Abdel Nasser, therefore it is not surprising that Mrs. Hind was a political and social leader in Qusiya who broke the thorn of masculinity and backwardness since nearly a century ago. Five years ago, I got to know Mrs. Hind Joseph Amin, who works hard but quietly. She was a young leader who had a great CV starting from Universtiy Student Union till her graduation form college Law, Assiut University, and its membership in student and youth unions, then political parties, up to the public relations secretary of the Nation Future Party. She established the Qusiya Cultural Salon five years ago that hosted a group of elite notables and intellectuals of al-Qusiya in various fields. Her success was supported by a great man, Mr. Rommel Seddik, whom I salute with their children, Hind and Hiti, whom are not less patriot than their mother. Despite many challenges, Mrs. Hind Cultural Salon has not stopped and always held several events at the same time including the annual exhibition. The activity of Hind Joseph and the Public Relations Committee did not stop at exhibitions, but rather conducting blood donation campaigns and offered reduced medical loans in Sadfa, Manfalut and Dairout centers. In 2016, Hind organized an exhibition in the Sports Club for Clothes and the revenue of the exhibition was donated for Oncology Hospital in Assiut, and in 2017, the cloths exhibition earnings were donated for the benefit of the blood bank preservation refrigerator in the Qusiya Hospital. Since 2018, Hind Joseph has been in charge of the Public Relations Committee of the Future of the Homeland Party in Assiut. This is how Hind Joseph is working, effectively but quietly. She was able to collect several intellectuals in her Saloon and enrich the cultural life in her country for the benefit of her people.

What we witness lately is that democracy around the world is deteriorating and that is not because there is no election around the world or because people cant elect their leader, but because the pillars of democracy are gradually vanishing. When I see for example President Trump doesnt care or trust US institutions and never listens to their advice, that means Democracy is eating itself.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10: 10) The Lord Jesus came for the salvation of mankind and education was his way to show us the way. Therefore, the people called him the good teacher, and his teachings have become a treasure for mankind till today. Father Poulos Halim in his article "The Teacher of the World" explained to us that the divine teachings have changed all of humanity and is still making great change. These are the teachings that the Apostles received from the mouth of the Lord Jesus and transferred to the entire world. Saint Mark the Apostle established the Theological School of Alexandria in order to spread the teachings of the Lord Jesus. The patriarchs and heroes of the Ecumenical Councils, such as Saints Athanasius, Cyril, Dioscorus, and many famous bishops such as Saint Gregory. It s students were leaders of the world such as Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Great, and John Chrysostom. Thus, the Patriarchs of Alexandria were called as the Magistrates of the World. St. Athanasius the Apostle said to Arius: As for my teaching, it is from the teaching of my fathers. This is how the church received its teachings and established the Coptic monasticism Asceticism, a strong spiritual life, a system of worship, and even martyrdom. This is how we should go on.

Most of us believe that clerics are opposed to religious reform, but we do not take into account another possibility that they are mentally incapable of doing it. Reforming and developing any thought, ideology or religion requires a more sophisticated, open, deep and aware mentality of the religious text and of the reality at the same time. So that it can come up with new interpretations of the text that are compatible with today s life. However, we have mentalities that depend on memorization and retrieval and not thinking. Thus, it is very hard for the clerics to overcome the old ideas and stop being so lazy to think. This is a hypothesis that we must take into account, which is the mental inability of the clergy to develop what was presented by their predecessors. Therefore, we shouldn t wait for those clerics to reform the religious discourse since they are not able to and they prefer to live Medieval and Dark Ages.

Unfortunately, backwardness and religious extremism are among the most marketable goods in the Middle East. Extremism is found in social traditions and impoverished economic policies that crush the citizen without mercy. Religion should have remained between man and God to lead only to more tolerance and love among people, but extremism was produced by terrorists and extremists as if they belong to a semi-union allowing them to seek selective material, social and political benefits through religion. This is a good reason for them to easily move to bear arms and kill unarmed peaceful people and even wage wars in the name of God. Extremists seek such authority in all religion that you may find a Christian minister fighting to take control of a spatula meeting or service. Ignorant people may thing that God permits his servants to take selective material benefits from his service. In fact, such control may lead honorable people to abandon ministry and let the extremists rule. Attempting to benefit from religion is an ancient guaranteed practice by people belonging to what I call syndicate of religion dealers whom easily find many customers cheated by religious slogans

The most disease hit people right now is not Covi10 but the stress and depression that people face right now from losing Jobs or being locked for a long time with no hope on the site to finish. Many companies around the world started already to increase their budget to support their employees to face stress, depression and isolation. While all over the world doing this, we have not heard anything about what private companies did for their employees to face such challenges.

I was shocked to receive news about the decision of Father Paula Foad, priest of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Al-Mataria to run for the elections of the House of Representatives. I see this as a catastrophe that threatens all our efforts to establish a modern secular democratic state, and also threatens the image of the national church and prove its involvement in politics. This clumsy act of this priest represents a stab at the Egyptian secular trend, which demands the exit of official and unofficial Muslim clerics from the Egyptian political scene. Now, we have to struggle on two fronts instead of one. He also gave the sheikhs a weapon to fight the secular current by saying that a priest ran for elections, which is a direct and explicit political act, so do not blame the sheikhs. This clumsy act will not only be borne by his subordinates, but the church will also bear his responsibility, because this is a citizen who follows the Orthodox priesthood, and therefore he cannot do this act without the permission of the church, and even if he does this reckless act without the permission of the church, what is the Church s response? I am surprised how there is no ecclesiastical law that prevents men of the priesthood from engaging in politics as the Catholic Church does, as its law prohibits the practice of politics, and whoever wishes to do so must resign and take off his priestly uniform, so how is there no such law in the Orthodox Church? Such act will not only have negative effects on the secular current, but also on the church, because this priest will inevitably lose, because he will not get the votes of Muslims or the voices of true secular Christians, unless he is supported by other influencers in the elections. The Coptic Church now will be exposed to all kinds of criticism like Al-Azhar, since you have fallen into the mud of politics and proved you belong to the Authority. It is not too late yet, and you can announce the church’s rejection of this candidacy and make this priest choose between the priesthood and Parliament openly and explicitly.