Tag: Coptic News

Coptic Holy Synod Session – May 28, 2015

by David Bebawy, posted in Church News, Coptic, Coptic News, News
11312919_879496818755124_5838114839820015312_o

On Thursday, May 28, 2015, the Coptic Holy Synod convened with the presence of 115 members of the distinguished metropolitans and bishops, and was presided over by H.H. Pope Tawadros II and H.G. Bishop Rafeal, the Secretary of the Holy Synod.

Holy Synod Decrees – May 28, 2015

  1. Recognizing The Monastery of the Virgin Mary & Archangel Michael for nuns in Dairut.
  2. An official letter to His Holiness requesting the approval for each novice to take the monastic vow must be submitted by the Abbot of the monastery.
  3. A “Monastery Center” is an administrative and lodging center for monks and nuns, with certain health or social conditions. The center should not get involved in any ecclesiastic services or pastoral care except the divine liturgy.
  4. Establishing a center for a monastery requires approval and written permission from His Holiness the Pope and/or the Bishop of the Diocese as to where the center will be established. Abbotts are to rectify situations that contradict this decision.
  5. Churches are obligated to follow the usual rituals of the Resurrection Re-enacting without the use of any special effects of sound, light, 3D, special theatrical effects or fog, etc.
  6. Lately there has been spreading of writings attributed directly or indirectly to His Holiness Pope Cyril VI, who was canonized by our church during the Holy Synod’s assembly in June 2013. In these books, the writer uses phrases like:  “I partook of the Holy Sacrament before the creation of the world;” and “not by repentance or by good deeds we reach the Kingdom” also “Keeping the commandments does not lead to salvation;” and “Call on Lord Jesus and do not call St. Mary;” as well as “We will not be rewarded for good deeds and will not be punished for evil deeds.” These statements and what they represent can never be said, explained or endorsed by the departed Saint and Pope.  It is for this we caution against such writings and enforce banning its distribution in the libraries of our churches and monasteries.

Recommendations of the Holy Synod Committees, May 2015

Committee of Public Relations:

  1. Establishing branches for “Bayt Al A’ela Al Misriya” (Home of the Egyptian Family) in each diocese.
  2. Encouraging the establishment of a financial support fund for Crisis management.
  3. Establishing a Committee for Public Relations in each diocese.

Committee of Family Affairs:

  1. Encourage couples considering marriage to attend a course in family counseling before marriage.

Committee of Pastoral Care and Service:

  1. Review the regulations of chanters and celibate consecration for a vote next November.

Committee of Media and Information:

  1. His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy is selected as the secretary of the Satellite Channels Committee.
  2. Establishing a subcommittee for printed and electronic Media. His Grace Bishop Thomas is selected as its secretary.

Committee of Faith, Education and Legislation:

  1. To collaborate with the committee of the Churches Abroad to produce specialized and extensively researched publications to address and answer current questions among our youth in Egypt and abroad.

Committee of the Churches Abroad:

  1. To highlight the identity of the Coptic Orthodox Church in all publications, documents, releases and television programs and focus on the attribute “Coptic”, emphasizing its title of “Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria”

Other Recommendations:

  1. To elect the Holy Synod Secretariat Committee during the Holy Synod session convening in May 2016. It has been decided that the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church convenes once every year before the Feast of Pentecost and the seminar for the bishops takes place once a year before the Nativity fast.

Sources:

Bishop Ordinations May 23, 2015

by David Bebawy, posted in Church News, Coptic, Coptic News, Media, News, Personal News, Religion, Video

H.H. Pope Tawadros II will officiate the Holy Liturgy at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Al Abbasiya, Cairo, Egypt on May 23, 2015.  During this liturgy H.H. Pope Tawadros II, with our fathers the Metropolitans and Bishops, will enthrone and ordain some new bishops. More information to follow.

CTV Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Vespers – May 23, 2015

MESat Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Liturgy – May 24, 2015

Newly Enthroned Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop Youannes enthroned on the Diocese of Assiut, Egypt and its vicinity.
  2. H.G. Bishop Louka enthroned on the Diocese of the South of France and Geneva, Switzerland and its vicinity.

Newly Ordained Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop Boktor (Victor), formerly Hegomen Monk Bishoy Al-Muharaqy, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Al Wadi Al Gadeed.
  2. H.G. Bishop Youakim (Joakim), formerly Hegomen Monk Bakhoum Al-Bakhoumy, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Esna and Armant.
  3. H.G. Bishop Ilarion, formerly Hegomen Monk Ilarion Ava Mina, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Ezbet El Haganna, Almaza and Nasr City.
  4. H.G. Bishop Iklemandos, formerly Hegomen Monk Iklemandos Ava Mina, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Eastern Canada.
  5. H.G. Bishop Mark, formerly Hegomen Monk Apollo Anba Bishoy, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Paris, France.
  6. H.G. Bishop Hermina, formerly Hegomen Monk Hermina Al-Baramosy, as a General Bishop to serve in the Diocese of Ain Shams and El Matareya.
H.G. Bishop Youannes
H.G. Bishop Youannes
H.G. Bishop Louka
H.G. Bishop Louka
H.G. Bishop Boktor
H.G. Bishop Ilarion
H.G. Bishop Iklemandos
H.G. Bishop Mark
H.G. Bishop Hermina

May God keep for us the life and standing of our beloved Pope Tawadros II and all of our fathers the metropolitans and bishops. Amen.

Web Sources:

Lenten Hymns – Psali Adam on the 3rd Hoos – I Remembered The Sins

by David Bebawy, posted in Audio, Church News, Coptic, Coptic Hymn, Coptic News, News, Personal News, Religion, Song

Psali Adam on the 3rd Hoos

I remembered the sins, of my ignorance, I cast off my tears, and sat down and cried.
All the sighing, of my chest, (are) burning like fire, in my heart.

The darkness of my mind, I have followed, The commandment of Jesus, I have abandoned.
All the evil conduct, of my nature, I have followed, without hope.

Therefore I, have collapsed, like the house, that is built on sand.
The heavenly beings, but also the earthly, were perplexed because of my sins, as I have become mire.

Behold I see, that my soul is lifeless, and placed in a tomb, like the dead.
Gather my brethren, and cry out with me, until the end of time, for I have fallen.

Egypt is shining, with the oil of prayer, and tearful supplications, in the night.
For You have snatched me, unless I become humiliated, I who have fallen, among the thieves.

The instinct of sin, uproot from my heart, and also O Lord, my heart’s ignorant thoughts.
Grant unto me, spiritual wisdom, and vitality, in my prayer.

That I may be fervent, in the wisdom of speech, and be in fellowship, after the enmity.
My Master You know, that my instincts, lean towards the ignorance, of this world.

Woe unto me, if You count my affliction, for great disgrace will fall, upon my weak spirit.
Lord remit, the afflictions, of my nature, and the weaknesses of my flesh.

Incline Your ear, quickly to my weakness, as You have accepted, the prayer of the publican.
Save me O Lover, of mankind, for my instincts have sunk, in the terrors of this world.

We ask you, O Great King, to remember Your servant, in Your Kingdom.
Behold a thief, had declared that to You, and You visited him O Lord, with Your mercy and salvation.

Yours is the honor, Yours is the majesty, O Creator, of heaven and earth.
Forgive me hastily, that I may rest, for my wickedness and cruelty, are weighty upon me.

Make me worthy, of the Flesh of Your Son, to renew me, in what pleases Him.
Shepherd, and Redeemer, seek Your lamb, I the lost.

Cover Art by: Mena Antoun – www.behance.net/gallery/6747501/The-Sinful-Woman