Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London

Individuals can contact their local MP ahead of tomorrow’s vote and submit their view on this issue using @PremierRadio straightforward form premier.org.uk/campaign/assis…

Response of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom to the proposed ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’ refcemi.org/f/terminally-i… “Our society is in much need of solutions that support and promote wellbeing, health, and life as a whole. Our healthcare and legal systems are already stretched. People are working tirelessly in every facet of society to support their loved ones and the community at large, and so it is our individual and collective responsibility to speak robustly into the debate on assisted suicide. We must strive to find ways to support people in their pain and to ease their struggles, rather than give in to the narrative that the ending of life is a solution, or indeed the only solution. If we do not reaffirm the sanctity of life at every opportunity, vulnerable people will inevitably be influenced to make irrevocable decisions that will undoubtedly lead to even greater loss to our already injured world. It is time to focus on what can be done better, and to spend greater effort and resources on the safeguarding of life itself.”

Response refcemi.org/f/terminally-i… from the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, commissioned by @BishopAngaelos, to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill ahead of 2nd reading in parliament @HouseofCommons @Refcemi

The Coptic Orthodox Church UK response refcemi.org/f/terminally-i… to the ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’ Archbishop Angaelos @BishopAngaelos on the issue “Our society is in much need of solutions that support and promote wellbeing, health…the safeguarding of life itself”

A rare treat to be accompanied in the celebration our wonderful @StPaulMinistry Liturgy at @TheSanctuaryCDL, today by my dear spiritual son, @StMarkCoptic Chicago’s Fr George Kaldas. Today’s sermon message from the raising of the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17): Three steps; 1. Stop and notice the needs of others 2. Feel their pain and touch their lives 3. Try to give what they need, rather than merely what we are willing to give

A joy to have a dinner meeting with our remarkable new @CopticDiocese @GVFellowshipUK Steering Committee, planning for the relaunch of this wonderful fellowship that will have its home at @TheSanctuaryCDL, and serve young people working and studying in the heart of London.

Video [Full video here: tiny.cc/NayrouzService…] Press Release tinyurl.com/39jds5kx via @CopticMediaUK for our twelfth annual Nayrouz Service at St Margaret’s @WAbbey with messages from HM #TheKing, @JustinWelby, @Pontifex and PM @Keir_Starmer, and contributions from @LordSpeaker @LordWajidKhan @DavidAltonHL @EwelinaUO @MervThomas and @HenBlyth. “Today is a celebration of transformation from pain to power. An opportunity to acknowledge our own pain while advocating with all we have to ensure that this pain is not felt by anyone else. This is the way we are called to also transform the world, starting with ourselves, and serving others… We must continue to raise awareness of the plight of so many people of faith and belief who are suffering violations of their religious freedom worldwide, while also celebrating their courage and resilient witness in the face of persecution… Words cannot express my pride in and appreciation for our choir, our stewards and the myriad of volunteers who made this evening what it was, as well as my own office team. Thank you all!”

Press Release: tinyurl.com/39jds5kx Messages from HM King Charles III @RoyalFamily Archbishop @JustinWelby HH Pope Francis @Pontifex and Prime Minister @10DowningStreet at 12th official Coptic New Year Service in Westminster officiated by Archbishop Angaelos @BishopAngaelos

A joy to hold our twelfth annual Nayrouz Service at St Margaret’s @WAbbey this evening, with thanks to @DeanWestminster and the Chapter of the Abbey for hosting us once again. Sincere thanks also to our wonderful contributors @LordSpeaker @LordWajidKhan @DavidAltonHL @EwelinaUO @MervThomas and @HenBlyth, and for the warm and sincere messages from HM #TheKing, @JustinWelby and @Pontifex. Words cannot also express my pride in and appreciation for our choir, our stewards and the myriad of volunteers who made this evening what it was, as well as my own office team. Thank you all! “Today is a celebration of transformation from pain to power. An opportunity to acknowledge our own pain while advocating with all we have to ensure that this pain is not felt by anyone else. This is the way we are called to also transform the world, starting with ourselves, and serving others.”

A beautiful Liturgy this morning followed by a closing Q&A session at our @CopticDiocese #BethelCentre for the wonderful young people from Manchester. An additional joy to welcome @FrAnthonyMourad, who I have seen serving since his youth, and faithfully respond to his priestly calling. This was followed by a quick journey to @CopticCentreUK to preach at this evening’s #StMaryVigil at @CopticCathedral, reflecting on the life of #MaryMagdelene, ‘the apostle to the apostles’: “From the life of Mary Magdalene we learn that whenever God seeks, calls and sends, He does not do so by assessing our outward appearance or obvious traits, but by looking deeply into each and every one of us, and finding and dealing with His image and likeness that He Himself has granted us, along with the particular gifts that He has bestowed upon us.”

A joy as always to be at StMary-StAbraam.co.uk this evening for #StMaryVigil, reflecting on “Let it be according to your will”. “God calls us all to a purpose, and all of these are equally important, and equally part of His plan. What we need to do is be accepting of that calling, and obedient as we embark on the journey it brings”

A festive Raising of Evening Incense at @SMAAMchurch on the Eve of the Feast of the revelation of the Assumption of Saint Mary, with a beautiful performance by the wonderful Ti Agia Maria children’s choir.

The two golden Cherubim continually cover with their wings the mercy seat. Overshadowing the place of the holy of holies in the second tabernacle. You too, O Mary, thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, overshadow you. Praising their Creator, Who was in your womb, and took our likeness, without sin or alteration. Ⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⲥ̀ⲛⲁⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ: ⲉⲩⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ: ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃⲥ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲓ̀ⲗⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ: ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ. Ⲉⲩⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ϩ̀ⲣⲏⲓ: ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ: ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ: ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲥ̀ⲕⲏⲛⲏ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁϩⲥ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ. Ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ϩⲱⲓ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ: ⲛⲓⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲛϣⲟ ⲛ̀ϣⲟ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲛⲑ̀ⲃⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑ̀ⲃⲁ: ⲥⲉⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱ. Ⲉⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀Ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲛⲧ: ⲉϥⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ: ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϭⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲓ̀ⲛⲓ: ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲥ ⲛⲟⲃⲓ ϩⲓ ϣⲓⲃϯ. Theotokia of Sunday Coptic Orthodox Midnight Praise A blessed Feast of Saint Mary to you all.

Praying for everyone expecting #GCSEresults today. While it will be joyous for some and challenging for others, remember that you are more than a mark. You are cherished and valued personally. Do and be your best. Cherish the joys, address the challenges…and be the best YOU as you prepare for the next stage of your life, and continue to develop into the person you want to be.

My statement on #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony bit.ly/3LKlaPS released earlier today. Thankful that the organisers have now issued an apology and there is further official clarification on the matter, addressing the points raised by so many. france24.com/en/live-news/2…

Today’s stop along our #1000MileHolyWeek was at @StMaryStGeorge1. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” Mark 13:32-33 Being ready and prepared enables us for the journey of life, with its unexpected twists and turns, and keeps us focused on our ultimate destination throughout that journey.

A beautifully festive #PalmSunday Liturgy this morning at @SMASSservices along my #1000MileHolyWeek, followed by the customary General Funeral Service, as traditionally, funerals would typically be officiated on the same day as passing, but no funerals are officiated during #HolyWeek. “Now as [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” Luke 19:41-42 Today’s message: While the multitudes celebrated the triumphal entry of our Lord in Jerusalem, He was very aware that this was the first step along a journey of suffering and sacrifice, even if it was going to eventually lead to the glorious and victorious Resurrection.

A beautiful Pascha service last night at @StMarksLondon on this #1000MileHolyWeek. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” Matthew 24:45-47 Be faithful in every important endeavour in life, but more importantly, be prepared for the glorious life that is to come. We need not be anxious over what is to come because it is a gift from God, but we must ensure that we are ready to claim this glorious gift of everlasting life that has been made possible for us through the glorious Resurrection.

A joy as always to be with our wonderful @StMaryStGeorge1 community in #ManorPark, #EastLondon, with Liturgy and Consecration of Psalters, Readers, and Liturgical items. Afterwards in the hall we distributed @CopticFestival medals, celebrated a birthday…and (of course) had cake.

Blessed to be with the wonderful @St_Mercurious church community in Risca, #Wales, this evening, joined by the wider @CopticDiocese family to celebrate their Patronal Festival with a Liturgy, Vespers, Veneration of Relics…and the customary church fete.