Christ Is Risen! Rejoice!

My Easter ikon this year comes from Egypt, in commemoration of the Coptic martyrs who died there at the hand of religious fanatics on Palm Sunday. May the Lord bless them and rest them with the saints!

Fr. Boules George – A Message to Those Who Kill Us

Father Boules George gives a sermon during the Eve of Monday Pascha following the two bombings on Palm Sunday that took place at Saint George Coptic Orthodox Church in Tanta and Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria.

Find below the transcription of this powerful sermon.

* * *

What will we say to them?

THANK YOU

The first thing we will say is “Thank you very, very much,” and you won’t believe us when we say it.

You know why we thank you? I’ll tell you. You won’t get it, but please believe us.

You gave us to die the same death as Christ–and this is the biggest honor we could have. Christ was crucified–and this is our faith. He died and was slaughtered–and this is our faith. You gave us, and you gave them to die.

We thank you because you shortened for us the journey. When someone is headed home to a particular city, he keeps looking at the time. “When will I get home? Are we there yet?” Can you imagine if in an instant he finds himself on a rocket ship straight to his destination? You shortened the journey! Thank you for shortening the journey.

We thank you because you gave to us to fulfill what Christ said to us: “Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). We were lambs; our only weapons: our faith and the church we pray in. I carry no weapon in my hand. We are so grateful that you helped us fulfill this saying of Christ.

Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom regarding the situation in Mosul, Iraq

As the widespread violence and aggression facing Christians and minority groups in Mosul, Iraq, intensifies, it is increasingly evident that the fundamental right and freedom to practice one’s Faith and belief is, and continues to be, grossly violated.

We are currently witnessing an unacceptable widespread implementation of extremist religious ideology that threatens the lives of all Iraqi’s who do not fit within its ever-narrowing perspective. While this situation stands to eradicate centuries of co-existence and culture in the region it also threatens to significantly and negatively impact these communities for generations to come. If left unchallenged, it is not Iraq alone that is at risk, but the potential is intensified for the replication of this ideology as a viable and legitimate model for others across the Middle East.

Freedom of Faith – Comment by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom

Bishop Angaelos

The freedom to choose and practice one’s faith is a fundamental right for all under international law, and yet we continue to see numerous tragic cases around the world in which that same right is non-existent, and exercising this freedom is punishable, sometimes even by death.

As Christians we believe that all are created in the Image and likeness of God, with His Image intrinsic to our human nature, which lays the foundation for respect and love for all. Within this nature, we believe that all have been given the freedom to choose and live according to those choices, and while freedom of religion is one choice that is central to the lives of millions across the world, it continues to be widely violated.

As recently reported by Amnesty International, Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag is a Christian Sudanese woman in Sudan who was sentenced “to death by hanging for ‘apostasy’” after refusing to renounce her Christian Faith and convert to Islam, although she has lived as a Christian since her childhood. Meriam, who is twenty seven years old and is eight months pregnant, was reportedly also sentenced to “flogging for ‘adultery’” because her marriage to a Christian man is considered unlawful. This, among other cases, sheds light on the intensity of the struggle facing so many around the world who strive to merely practice their faith.

A Blessed Coptic Christmas

HG Bishop Angaelos at a Congressional Hearing on Human Rights Abuses in Egypt

HG Bishop Angaelos of the Coptic Church

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
10 December 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office

 His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom testified at a Congressional Hearing on ‘Human Rights Abuses in Egypt’ in Washington DC on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2013.

Press Release: Archbishop of Canterbury visits HH Pope Tawadros II in the Papal Residence, Cairo

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use

24 June 2013

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark, receives the Most Revd Justin Welby, 105^th Archbishop of Canterbury, at the Papal Residence in Cairo on 24 June 2013.

The Most Revd Justin Welby visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II at the Papal Residence in Cairo. His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy, Co-Chair of the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox International Commission, His Grace Bishop Thomas of Quosia, His Grace Bishop Youannes and His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, who is a member of the International Commission and Co-Chair of the Regional Forum in the United Kingdom. Archbishop Justin was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Mounir Hanna, Primate of the Episcopal Church in Egypt and the Horn of Africa, Bishop Michael Lewis, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, Bishop Grant LeMarquand, Area Bishop for the Horn of Africa, and members of the Lambeth Palace ecumenical and inter-religious offices.

Christ Is Risen! Hallelujah!

Coptic Ikon of the Resurrection

Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK

Dear all,

Peace and grace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Due to the current situation in Egypt please find attached a
statement from HG Bishop Angaelos. This statement is for open
circulation.