Upper Egypt (AINA) -- On Monday November 23, 2009 Muslim rioters looted and burned Coptic Christian businesses in the village of Abou Shousha, which lies 25 KM from Farshoot. The terrorized Coptic inhabitants of Abou Shusha have stayed indoors, their shops are closed and their children are being kept away from school. They fear a repeat in their village of the Muslim violence which engulfed the town of Farshoot less than 36 hours earlier .
The Middle East Christian Association (MECA) reported that at least three large Coptic stores and a pharmacy were looted and burnt in Abou Shusha and that the fire brigade arrived one hour late, although their headquarters is only 8 KM away from the village. "They gave the pretext of being busy in Farshoot, which is untrue, as Farshoot had a quiet night," said Wagih Yacoub of MECA. "Coptic and Muslim neighbors tried to put the fire out." A video posted by Free Copts shows the Abou Shusha fires.
Bishop Kirrillos of Nag Hamady Diocese said that a mob from the neighboring village of Abu Tesht torched the businesses in Abou Shusha. MECA reported that three girls were assaulted in the street by having bricks hurled at them. No serious injuries were reported.
On November 22, in a joint communiqué from fourteen Egyptian human rights organizations and lawyers called on President Mubarak to immediately intervene to save the Copts from the wrath of the mob and the subversive leaders behind them, who are seeking to sow discord and divisions among the Egyptians in the name of religion and "to hold accountable all involved in the incitement or attacks on the peaceful Copts in Farshoot."
The signatories to the statement asked President Mubarak to take the necessary measures to hold accountable the security force officials, who played the "role of spectator in the looting, arson and attacks on Coptic property in Farshoot."
The communiqué strongly condemned the deportation and evacuation of the Copts in Farshoot from their homes and villages by the security forces, in violation of the provisions of the Egyptian Constitution which stipulates in Article 50 and 51 of the Code "No citizen may be prohibited from residing or be forced to reside in a specific area except in the circumstances set out in the law.
The NGOs' statement stressed the right of the Coptic victims for compensation for the material losses and psychological damage, and strongly condemned the burning and insulting of the symbols of Christianity by the Muslims fanatics, and demanded everyone involved to be charged with the crime of "contempt of a heavenly religion."
It is estimated that over 80% of Coptic businesses have been destroyed in the 48 hours of violence in Farshoot. A video prepared by Free Copts advocacy shows Muslim mobs chanting Allah Akbar (God is Great) while looting and burning Coptic businesses and shops
The Egyptian Union for Human Rights (EUHRO) advised that it is preparing a file with all the financial losses and damages to Coptic-owned businesses and property in Farshoot in preparation for filing a civil and a criminal case against the Egyptian Prime Minister, the Governor of Qena and the perpetrators.
"They want the Copts to be poor and are therefore destroying the Coptic economy in these areas," explains Wagih Yacoub.
Bishop Kirollos again condemned the grave violations against Christians and their property, affirming his belief that the attacks were preplanned. "Students of Al-Azhar Institute in Farshoot, were incited by their Dean who sent them out on a rampage against the Copts. They were joined by a great number of locals," he said.
By Mary Abdel-massih
Assyrian International News Agency
http://www.aina.org/news/20091123162710.htm
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20091127
Muslim Violence Ongoing in Egypt -- Christians Plead For Help
Farshoot, Egypt (AINA) -- Since early morning on Saturday, November 21, the Upper Egyptian town of Farshoot, as well as the neighboring villages of Kom Ahmar, Shakiki and Ezbet Waziri, has been the scene of ongoing Muslim mob violence against Coptic Christian inhabitants. The mob looted, vandalized and burnt Coptic property, while Copts hid indoors fearing to venture out. Reuters Cairo reported that a witness said "chaos is overwhelming (in the city)."
The Violence is still going on. There are reports that seven Coptic women have been abducted.
Witnesses said that nearly 3000 angry Muslims have congregated since the early morning in front of the Police Headquarters in Farshoot, in an effort to kidnap Girgis Baroumi while being transported to court to renew his detainment, in order to kill him. Bishop Kirollos said it was agreed with the family of the Muslim girl Yousra to await the Court decision "but they did not wait for that."
Coptic priest Rev. Benjamin Noshi was driving his car when the mob stopped and assaulted him, fracturing his skull. He is currently in hospital.
By the evening most Coptic businesses were looted and burnt. "They are destroying the Coptic economy in these areas," says Wagih Yacoub of Middle Eadt Christian Association.
A witness said that some Coptic families were thrown out of their homes, which were occupied by Muslims.
Although security forces were deployed, they are not taking any action to stop the violence, they are stationed to protect the Farshoot police headquarters after the angry mob pelted it with stones before going in and attacking the officers. Chief Investigating Officer Essam Hany was injured along with others.
Witnesses said that the Police watched the mob but made no arrests and were just dispersing the mob from one street, only for them to appear in the next.
The violence was prompted by reports of sexual abuse of a girl by 21 year-old Copt Guirgis Baroumi, from Kom Ahmar, on Wednesday November 18, 2009. The 12-year-old Muslim girl has been identified as "Yousra." Girgis is detained by the police pending investigations and awaiting results of forensics. Many Copts believe that the rape incident is by Muslims to use it as a pretext to start violence against them.
In an interview with Free Copts, Bishop Kirollos said that the attacks were definitely preplanned and made use of the students from Al-Azhar Institute in Farshoot. He also pointed out to the failing role of the security forces, which disappeared without giving proper justifications, despite several demands by the church to put an end to these grave violations against Christians and their property.
He also added that even if the story of the indecent assault on the Muslim teenager was true, this was purely an individual incident and does not call for an attack on masses of peaceful Christians, who denounced this individual act which does not comply with Christian teachings. "So why the barbaric attacks by the mobs? and why have the security forces not stopped them?"
Talking to Coptic News Bulletin, the Bishop said that after being informed of the accusations of the rape on Wednesday, he has taken the frightened Copts of the villages of Kom Ahmar and Shedid out of the village to safety. "However, Coptic-owned businesses, pharmacies and cars in Farshoot and Ezbet Waziri are completely destroyed," he said.
Rev. Elisha, Pastor of St. Michaels Church in Farshoot described Saturday's violence as "similar to the Tartar Wars, they burnt down shops, pharmacies, broke down doors of homes and terrorized the inhabitants." Commenting on the alleged rape incident, he said that it is doubtful, besides prosecution did not allow anyone to meet with the accused Copt. "The Farshoot investigating officer told me that the Muslim girl was only sure that her attacker wore a black jacket -- nothing more."
"We have never been so frightened and humiliated as Christians in all our lives. The mob made wooden crosses and burnt them in the street," according to one witness. "Our religion, and our Lord were openly insulted."
As no one is venturing into the streets, none of the Coptic inhabitants contacted were able to confirm if there were any losses in human lives, or the number of injured.
Bishop Kirollos held an urgent meeting with all Coptic priests in the region, in view of the gravity of the situation. He gave instructions that no Sunday church services would be held on 11/22/09 fearing for the safety of the Christian congregations.
"If the International Human Rights Organizations around the world keep quiet about what is happening to the Copts in Egypt, then they are of no use, they just use slogans, nothing more," one witness lamented.
By Mary Abdel-massih
Assyrian International News Agency
The Violence is still going on. There are reports that seven Coptic women have been abducted.
Witnesses said that nearly 3000 angry Muslims have congregated since the early morning in front of the Police Headquarters in Farshoot, in an effort to kidnap Girgis Baroumi while being transported to court to renew his detainment, in order to kill him. Bishop Kirollos said it was agreed with the family of the Muslim girl Yousra to await the Court decision "but they did not wait for that."
Coptic priest Rev. Benjamin Noshi was driving his car when the mob stopped and assaulted him, fracturing his skull. He is currently in hospital.
By the evening most Coptic businesses were looted and burnt. "They are destroying the Coptic economy in these areas," says Wagih Yacoub of Middle Eadt Christian Association.
A witness said that some Coptic families were thrown out of their homes, which were occupied by Muslims.
Although security forces were deployed, they are not taking any action to stop the violence, they are stationed to protect the Farshoot police headquarters after the angry mob pelted it with stones before going in and attacking the officers. Chief Investigating Officer Essam Hany was injured along with others.
Witnesses said that the Police watched the mob but made no arrests and were just dispersing the mob from one street, only for them to appear in the next.
The violence was prompted by reports of sexual abuse of a girl by 21 year-old Copt Guirgis Baroumi, from Kom Ahmar, on Wednesday November 18, 2009. The 12-year-old Muslim girl has been identified as "Yousra." Girgis is detained by the police pending investigations and awaiting results of forensics. Many Copts believe that the rape incident is by Muslims to use it as a pretext to start violence against them.
In an interview with Free Copts, Bishop Kirollos said that the attacks were definitely preplanned and made use of the students from Al-Azhar Institute in Farshoot. He also pointed out to the failing role of the security forces, which disappeared without giving proper justifications, despite several demands by the church to put an end to these grave violations against Christians and their property.
He also added that even if the story of the indecent assault on the Muslim teenager was true, this was purely an individual incident and does not call for an attack on masses of peaceful Christians, who denounced this individual act which does not comply with Christian teachings. "So why the barbaric attacks by the mobs? and why have the security forces not stopped them?"
Talking to Coptic News Bulletin, the Bishop said that after being informed of the accusations of the rape on Wednesday, he has taken the frightened Copts of the villages of Kom Ahmar and Shedid out of the village to safety. "However, Coptic-owned businesses, pharmacies and cars in Farshoot and Ezbet Waziri are completely destroyed," he said.
Rev. Elisha, Pastor of St. Michaels Church in Farshoot described Saturday's violence as "similar to the Tartar Wars, they burnt down shops, pharmacies, broke down doors of homes and terrorized the inhabitants." Commenting on the alleged rape incident, he said that it is doubtful, besides prosecution did not allow anyone to meet with the accused Copt. "The Farshoot investigating officer told me that the Muslim girl was only sure that her attacker wore a black jacket -- nothing more."
"We have never been so frightened and humiliated as Christians in all our lives. The mob made wooden crosses and burnt them in the street," according to one witness. "Our religion, and our Lord were openly insulted."
As no one is venturing into the streets, none of the Coptic inhabitants contacted were able to confirm if there were any losses in human lives, or the number of injured.
Bishop Kirollos held an urgent meeting with all Coptic priests in the region, in view of the gravity of the situation. He gave instructions that no Sunday church services would be held on 11/22/09 fearing for the safety of the Christian congregations.
"If the International Human Rights Organizations around the world keep quiet about what is happening to the Copts in Egypt, then they are of no use, they just use slogans, nothing more," one witness lamented.
By Mary Abdel-massih
Assyrian International News Agency
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20091121
Ethiopian Patriarch expresses sorrow over death of Serbian Patriarch
Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Paulos expressed heartfelt sorrow over the death of Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Pavle. The patriarch died on Sunday November 15, 2009 at the age of 95.
At a program held in Serbian Embassy here on Wednesday November 18, Abune Paulos, who is also President of the World Council of Churches, said the death of the Patriarch is not only a loss for the Serbian people and the Church but also for all Christians.
The late patriarch has contributed a lot for the world peace and for the unity of people as well.
He said the good deeds of the patriarch will always be remembered. Abune Paulos also wished solace to the people and Orthodox Church of Serbia.
Serbian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Dragan Momcilovic expressed gratitude to Abune Paulos for expressing his condolence over the death of the patriarch.
photos -
(1) Patriarch Pavle (Pictured, Left)
(2) Abune Paulos (Pictured, Right)
Source: The Orthodox Church.info
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Catholicose of the East expresses condolences over the demise of Serbian Patriarch
His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Dydimos I, Patriarch-Catholicose of the Orthodox Church of the East expresses condolences over the demise of Serbian Patriarch His Holines Pavle. The Serbian patriarch died on Sunday November 15, 2009 at the age of 95.
His Holiness Pavle played a key role in strengthening ties between churches. Patriarch Pavle enjoyed warm ties with the Orthodox Church of the East. Demise of the Patriarch is not only a great loss of for the Serbian Orthodox Community but also for the Orthodox Church in India - Said His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Dydimos I (Pictured).
Source:
The Orthodox Church.info
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20091119
WCC calls for investigation of Gaza war crimes
18.11.09
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has asked the United Nations secretary-general to make sure that recommendations of a key report about war crimes committed during the conflict between Israeli and Palestinian armed forces in Gaza at the beginning of 2009 are properly followed up.
In an 18 November letter, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia urged the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to take steps in order to press both Israel and Hamas to "unconditionally concede the need for complete and credible investigations into their actions during the war".
In his letter, Kobia cited "growing anxiety" amongst members of the international community that at the UN Security Council "there could be a resolution that dilutes the intent and scope of the Goldstone report".
The "Goldstone report", produced by a UN fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict led by Justice Richard Goldstone and released in September 2009 found evidence of both parties committing actions which amount to war crimes, and possibly crimes against humanity, during the three-week long armed conflict.
The report recommended that the UN Security Council require Israel and relevant Gaza authorities to report to it, within six months, on investigations and prosecutions both parties should carry out with regard to the violations identified in the report. If independent proceedings were not carried out in good faith, the Security Council should refer the situation in Gaza to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
"If the recommendations of the Goldstone report were pursued, it would send a strong message to combatants in all conflicts that nations or groups cannot act with impunity, and that there must be appropriate channels of accountability for the perpetrators of crimes in any form of conflict", Kobia pointed out in his letter to Ban.
"During the Gaza War, civilians on both sides suffered and yet atrocities were significantly higher among the Palestinian population", Kobia stated. "The people of Gaza have suffered enough, and they deserve a respite in the knowledge that the perpetrators of indiscriminate violence against them will be brought to book."
As "durable peace, reconciliation and healing between Palestinians and Israelis should be based on justice", Kobia added, "the need of the hour is an unequivocal affirmation of the highest principles of justice, human rights and humanitarian practices".
IMAGE: Dr Salim Al Abadlah stands in the rubble of a church-supported health centre in Al Shija'ia, that was destroyed by an Israeli air strike in January 2009. Photo: Mika Hentunen/FCA-ACT International
Source:
The World Council of Churches
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20091118
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians visits Patriarch of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch at the St. Ephraim Monastery
13 November, 2009, Damascus ( Syria) - His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Catholicos of All Armenians visits His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Supreme Patriarch of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch at the Monastery of St. Ephraim, the Syrian here on November 13, Friday.
The delegation was received at the entrance of St. Peter's & St. Paul's Cathedral by Arch Bishop of Aleppo His Eminence Dr. Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Arch Bishop of Lebanon & Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary His Eminence Mor Theophilose George Saliba, Arch Bishop of Jazirah & Euphrates His Eminence Mor Osthatheos Matta Rohum, Patriarchal Vicar for Zahle His Eminence Mor Yusphinos Paulose Yusuf Safar, Assistant to Patriarch & Director of St. Ephraim Seminary His Eminence Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis and Arch Bishop of Beirut & Patriarchal Institutions in Atchaneh His Eminence Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh.
The delegation includes six bishops led by Arch Bishop of Damascus, priests, deacons and lay men. His Holiness Hazim Patriarch of Greek Orthodox Church, Damascus also was present at the occasion.
H H Ignatius Zakka I Iwas made a welcome speech and presented the visiting Patriarch a golden Pastoral Staff (Amsavadi) and gifts to the delegation.
Then the visiting Patriarch delivered a speech in Armenian Language and was translated into Arabic.
Then all attend the love feast hosted by H H Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
welcome speech of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas during the visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians
Your Holiness, Your Eminences, Respected Clergy, the distinguished guests accompanied with His Holiness and gentlemen:
It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, while thanking Him for this wonderful occasion, when His Holiness KAREKIN II, the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians, has pleased to give us a visit and has thus blessed us all. We heartily thank Your Holiness and all the members of the delegation, accompanied your Holiness, in this gesture of brotherly love.
We remember with joy, our visiting Your Holiness, in Holy Etchmiadzin in 2002, and the warm welcome, rendered to us by Your Holiness. Thus through these visits, we continue to renew and improve, the centuries old, dynamic relation, and the mutual love and respect, between our two sister churches.
When we look back into history, this relation between the Syrian Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox churches, is a deep rooted one, and extending to, more than Thousand and Seven Hundred years. Right from the beginning, the two churches have been, like one church, in the one true faith, and were in full intercommunion, along with the Coptic Orthodox church, and at the same time, by maintaining the unique cultures of their own. Church history records that, the fathers of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, carried the torch of Holy Gospel to Armenia, and thus the Armenian people, accepted Christianity. And more than that, the Armenian language, at first adopted the Syriac alphabet, and in the beginning of the fifth century, the Armenian Scholar : Mesrob, in co-operation with, the Syrian Orthodox Bishop Daniel, invented the Armenian Alphabet and translated the Holy Bible and some Syriac Books into Armenian language.
Also while remembering the past era of persecutions, both our churches shared the cross of our Lord and witnessed Him together. In the history written with blood and tears, both the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church suffered a lot, to upkeep our true faith, and thousands and thousands of martyrs sacrificed their lives on the altar of our Lord. Thus our two churches, not only have the same faith, but have many things in common. So, Your Holiness, all of us here, are really honored by the visit of Your Holiness, the head of that sister church of our own.
I wish your Holiness and the delegation, a pleasant time in Syria. And I am happy that Your Holiness is visiting the President of the Syrian Arab Republic: His Excellency Dr. Bashar al-Assad. You are all aware that, we, here, in this esteemed country of Syria, enjoy our freedom to practice our religion as Christians and to build churches and monasteries. We also enjoy all rights and responsibilities as citizens of this noble country. Here, we all live in full cooperation with other Christian Churches in this country and have good relations with our Muslim brothers too. We are grateful to His Excellency the President, for his wise and able leadership and we pray God Almighty to grant him good health and long life. We are glad that, Your Holiness has now come to visit us in this esteemed country of Syria, because Your Holiness can now be a witness to all that you see here.
Your Holiness, I am also delighted to congratulate Your Holiness for the brilliant leadership to the Armenian Church, leading to its steady progress and welfare, ever since Your Holiness has been chosen by God as its head. We wish Your Holiness good health and long life and pray for the continued progress and welfare of our sister Church - the Armenian Church. I may also use this opportunity, to pay my tributes and salutation, to all the blessed leaders, clergy and the faithful of the Holy Armenian Church, for upholding the true orthodox faith of the church.
We sincerely thank your Holiness and the delegation, for paying us this visit, and thus, making this day, a day of heavenly joy. This visit is a remarkable event in the history of our churches. Also we thank all those who have arrived here so as to make this an auspicious occasion. Let us follow the foot steps of our Forefathers and upkeep the true faith and the ancient traditions. Let us pray the Almighty to strengthen us, to together witness Him in this modern age.
As a token of my love, and thankfulness, for your visit, we may present to Your Holiness, a pastoral staff, used by the bishops of both our churches. Also some small gifts to the bishops and mementoes to the gentlemen accompanied Your Holiness. Thank you all.
The delegation was received at the entrance of St. Peter's & St. Paul's Cathedral by Arch Bishop of Aleppo His Eminence Dr. Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Arch Bishop of Lebanon & Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary His Eminence Mor Theophilose George Saliba, Arch Bishop of Jazirah & Euphrates His Eminence Mor Osthatheos Matta Rohum, Patriarchal Vicar for Zahle His Eminence Mor Yusphinos Paulose Yusuf Safar, Assistant to Patriarch & Director of St. Ephraim Seminary His Eminence Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis and Arch Bishop of Beirut & Patriarchal Institutions in Atchaneh His Eminence Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh.
The delegation includes six bishops led by Arch Bishop of Damascus, priests, deacons and lay men. His Holiness Hazim Patriarch of Greek Orthodox Church, Damascus also was present at the occasion.
H H Ignatius Zakka I Iwas made a welcome speech and presented the visiting Patriarch a golden Pastoral Staff (Amsavadi) and gifts to the delegation.
Then the visiting Patriarch delivered a speech in Armenian Language and was translated into Arabic.
Then all attend the love feast hosted by H H Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.
welcome speech of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas during the visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians
Your Holiness, Your Eminences, Respected Clergy, the distinguished guests accompanied with His Holiness and gentlemen:
It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, while thanking Him for this wonderful occasion, when His Holiness KAREKIN II, the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians, has pleased to give us a visit and has thus blessed us all. We heartily thank Your Holiness and all the members of the delegation, accompanied your Holiness, in this gesture of brotherly love.
We remember with joy, our visiting Your Holiness, in Holy Etchmiadzin in 2002, and the warm welcome, rendered to us by Your Holiness. Thus through these visits, we continue to renew and improve, the centuries old, dynamic relation, and the mutual love and respect, between our two sister churches.
When we look back into history, this relation between the Syrian Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox churches, is a deep rooted one, and extending to, more than Thousand and Seven Hundred years. Right from the beginning, the two churches have been, like one church, in the one true faith, and were in full intercommunion, along with the Coptic Orthodox church, and at the same time, by maintaining the unique cultures of their own. Church history records that, the fathers of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, carried the torch of Holy Gospel to Armenia, and thus the Armenian people, accepted Christianity. And more than that, the Armenian language, at first adopted the Syriac alphabet, and in the beginning of the fifth century, the Armenian Scholar : Mesrob, in co-operation with, the Syrian Orthodox Bishop Daniel, invented the Armenian Alphabet and translated the Holy Bible and some Syriac Books into Armenian language.
Also while remembering the past era of persecutions, both our churches shared the cross of our Lord and witnessed Him together. In the history written with blood and tears, both the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church suffered a lot, to upkeep our true faith, and thousands and thousands of martyrs sacrificed their lives on the altar of our Lord. Thus our two churches, not only have the same faith, but have many things in common. So, Your Holiness, all of us here, are really honored by the visit of Your Holiness, the head of that sister church of our own.
I wish your Holiness and the delegation, a pleasant time in Syria. And I am happy that Your Holiness is visiting the President of the Syrian Arab Republic: His Excellency Dr. Bashar al-Assad. You are all aware that, we, here, in this esteemed country of Syria, enjoy our freedom to practice our religion as Christians and to build churches and monasteries. We also enjoy all rights and responsibilities as citizens of this noble country. Here, we all live in full cooperation with other Christian Churches in this country and have good relations with our Muslim brothers too. We are grateful to His Excellency the President, for his wise and able leadership and we pray God Almighty to grant him good health and long life. We are glad that, Your Holiness has now come to visit us in this esteemed country of Syria, because Your Holiness can now be a witness to all that you see here.
Your Holiness, I am also delighted to congratulate Your Holiness for the brilliant leadership to the Armenian Church, leading to its steady progress and welfare, ever since Your Holiness has been chosen by God as its head. We wish Your Holiness good health and long life and pray for the continued progress and welfare of our sister Church - the Armenian Church. I may also use this opportunity, to pay my tributes and salutation, to all the blessed leaders, clergy and the faithful of the Holy Armenian Church, for upholding the true orthodox faith of the church.
We sincerely thank your Holiness and the delegation, for paying us this visit, and thus, making this day, a day of heavenly joy. This visit is a remarkable event in the history of our churches. Also we thank all those who have arrived here so as to make this an auspicious occasion. Let us follow the foot steps of our Forefathers and upkeep the true faith and the ancient traditions. Let us pray the Almighty to strengthen us, to together witness Him in this modern age.
As a token of my love, and thankfulness, for your visit, we may present to Your Holiness, a pastoral staff, used by the bishops of both our churches. Also some small gifts to the bishops and mementoes to the gentlemen accompanied Your Holiness. Thank you all.
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Patriarch of Antioch & All the East
Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch & All the East
Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
Source: Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate
20091112
The Restoration of Saint Anthony's Monastery near Al-Zaafarana, Egypt
The Christian Monastery of Saint Anthony, or Deir Mar Antonios, is the the first ever monastery, and lies at the coast of the Red Sea, to the east of the Fayum oasis. Dedicated to St Anthony, it was founded in 356 AD immediately after the saint's death, and is now the oldest Christian monastery still active in the world. Near the monastery (2 km away) there is also St. Anthony's cave, where he lived as a hermit.
This video provides a rare glimpse inside this wonderful monastery, filled with art and the postumous home of a hermit saint, Saint Anthony. Monasticism was a reality in Egypt after the first followers of Jesus entered the country and from here, from the land of the extinct pharaohs, monks and monastic life spread out to all the rest of the world.
Dressed in the black robes worn by all Orthodox Coptic priests, Father Maximous el-Antony - or Abuna Maximos - talks to us about the monastery and the ongoing restoration work. The monastery is really a small village, as he says. It has gardens, a mill, a bakery, and five churches. Though Coptic today, this monastery has been inhabited by different kinds of Christian monks throughout the long history of its existence.
The exquisite paintings have been undergoing restoration by the Supreme Council of Antiquities since 2003, who have been removing the white plaster that hid some of the artwork. These brightly-coloured paintings, which cover all the walls and ceiling, are a catalogue of Coptic art, and feature the iconography typical of coptic art.
Restoration is being done not only on the paintings but also on the architecture of the building. All the underground monastic cells and personal items from the monks living there in the sixth and seventh centuries AD are now visible beneath the building, through a glass floor.
Many Coptic inscriptions on the architecture of the monastery show that it operated as an busy church with an active community. All of these are now on display to visitors going to the St. Anthony Monastery. The challenge of this excavation is that it is being done inside a church being used everyday, Abuna Maximos tells us.
St. Anthony was buried in the monastery, but it is uncertain where exactly inside the monastery area his tomb was placed. In this video, Abuna Maximos tells us about his dream of finding St. Anthony's tomb in the area underground. Along with the already discovered areas of the previous church, he hopes to discover the tomb and, of course, he must be thinking about discovering the body of Saint Anthony.
A major find like that would lead to a huge boost in visitors to the monastery, as well as a means of promoting Coptic culture. The team have just found an old entrance below the contemporary church of Saint Anthony, and expect more discoveries to emerge from their work. The restoration works are in progress and we hope interesting things are yet to see the light of the Red Sea coast.
Video: The Coptic Monastery of Saint Anthony (Deir Mar Antonios)
Submitted by veigapaula on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 00:54
Source:
http://heritage-key.com/blogs/veigapaula/restoration-saint-anthonys-monastery-near-al-zaafarana-egypt
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This video provides a rare glimpse inside this wonderful monastery, filled with art and the postumous home of a hermit saint, Saint Anthony. Monasticism was a reality in Egypt after the first followers of Jesus entered the country and from here, from the land of the extinct pharaohs, monks and monastic life spread out to all the rest of the world.
Dressed in the black robes worn by all Orthodox Coptic priests, Father Maximous el-Antony - or Abuna Maximos - talks to us about the monastery and the ongoing restoration work. The monastery is really a small village, as he says. It has gardens, a mill, a bakery, and five churches. Though Coptic today, this monastery has been inhabited by different kinds of Christian monks throughout the long history of its existence.
The exquisite paintings have been undergoing restoration by the Supreme Council of Antiquities since 2003, who have been removing the white plaster that hid some of the artwork. These brightly-coloured paintings, which cover all the walls and ceiling, are a catalogue of Coptic art, and feature the iconography typical of coptic art.
Restoration is being done not only on the paintings but also on the architecture of the building. All the underground monastic cells and personal items from the monks living there in the sixth and seventh centuries AD are now visible beneath the building, through a glass floor.
Many Coptic inscriptions on the architecture of the monastery show that it operated as an busy church with an active community. All of these are now on display to visitors going to the St. Anthony Monastery. The challenge of this excavation is that it is being done inside a church being used everyday, Abuna Maximos tells us.
St. Anthony was buried in the monastery, but it is uncertain where exactly inside the monastery area his tomb was placed. In this video, Abuna Maximos tells us about his dream of finding St. Anthony's tomb in the area underground. Along with the already discovered areas of the previous church, he hopes to discover the tomb and, of course, he must be thinking about discovering the body of Saint Anthony.
A major find like that would lead to a huge boost in visitors to the monastery, as well as a means of promoting Coptic culture. The team have just found an old entrance below the contemporary church of Saint Anthony, and expect more discoveries to emerge from their work. The restoration works are in progress and we hope interesting things are yet to see the light of the Red Sea coast.
Video: The Coptic Monastery of Saint Anthony (Deir Mar Antonios)
Submitted by veigapaula on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 00:54
Source:
http://heritage-key.com/blogs/veigapaula/restoration-saint-anthonys-monastery-near-al-zaafarana-egypt
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