Vol: 6 Issue: 12
Kiahk 1728 / December 2012
Axios Axios Axios H.H. Pope Tawadros II 118th Patriarch of Alexandria A truly historic event in our Coptic Church history occurred on Sunday 18 November 2012 that many of us have never witnessed – the enthronement of our new Patriarch, Pope Abba Tawadros II, Pope, Patriarch and Archbishop of the great city of Alexandria and the See of Saint Mark. The enthronement was a delightful and joyous spectacle for all those in attendance and thousands, if not millions of others watching on TV or online in Egypt and around the world. The enthronement took place after the reading of the Acts of the Apostles and the Synaxarium, according to the rites of the church as a continuation to the work of the apostles and the saints until our day. Abba Tawadros was taken by a procession of a multitude of deacons, priests and the vast majority of metropolitans and bishops from the papal residence to St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo. The deacons welcoming him, rejoicing and chanting, “Evologimenos”, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Lord” to the locked door of the Cathedral. The keys to church were handed to then Bishop Tawadros by the archdeacon. He then took the keys and recited part of Psalm 118, “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank thee that thou hast answered me and hast become my salvation” while the procession entered the cathedral ahead of him as the bells began to ring and the deacons began to chant a special hymn, “Omonogenees”.
The enthronement was led by H.E. Metropolitan Bakhomious, the locum tenens at the time who also guided him alongside HG Bishop Sarabamon of St Bishoy’s Monastery, where Pope Tawadros was ordained into the monastic order. Bishop Tawadros was seated before the sanctuary as the prayers began while tears continually rolled down his eyes. The attending metropolitans and bishops made supplications for Abba Tawadros to be filled with grace and be strengthened as the shepherd of His flock. H.E. Metropolitan Bakhomious called him and blessed him as Patriarch and then dressed him in his simple white vestments, like that of a monk.
Bishop Tawadros Opening the Door of the Cathedral
The deed of the archbishop was read by numerous members of the Holy Synod, not only in Arabic but segments were also read out in other languages including English, French, Spanish, and German. Further supplications were made on behalf of the church and the new shepherd after the deacons had chanted a doxology for the Pope. Each metropolitan and bishop blessed bishop Tawadros’ vestments before he was clothed in full liturgical majestic attire. Many delegates from sister churches such as the Ethiopians, Armenians and the Syrians and the Indian participated in the service. He was dressed in each piece of clothing with corresponding prayers. When fully dressed he was led by Metropolitan Bakhomious to the altar where he received the staff of shepherding. This was done in the sanctuary the staff and thus the role of the shepherd is granted to him by God Himself. The deacons and the entire congregation erupted chanting, “Axios!”, “Worthy, Worthy, Worthy is Pope Abba Tawadros the archpriest!” Having claimed the staff he then proceeded to the papal throne to be fully enthroned. This was done over three stages taking one step up the throne at a time before being fully seated with the blessing of God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The cathedral again erupted, with everyone chanting “Axios!” He was then presented with a golden gospel of his successor as he sat on his very throne that of St Mark the apostle. The deacons chanted joyous hymns to His Holiness Pope Tawadros before a Pauline epistle was read by some of the bishops. His Holiness came to read the gospel from the throne from John 10:1-16. He repeated the verse, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11) three times and the congregation again, each time responded chanting “Axios!” before the conclusion of the
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actual enthronement ceremony. Among the notable attendees were HH Mar Ignatius Zaka I Iwas (the Patriarch of Antioch) along with several bishops who also delivered a word of love, along with various other church heads from the Armenian Apostolic Church. Patriarch Theodoros (Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria) spoke words of encouragement and deep love that we pray will exist between the two fathers. Although His Holiness did not address the congregation personally, he had prepared speech read out on his behalf, while Metropolitan Bakhomious also address the congregation, introducing them to their new patriarch. Other notable attendees included government official from the USA and Canada, dozens of consular officials and officials from other worldwide churches, including the various Catholic Church sent on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Notable Egyptian attendees included some prominent Muslim Sheikhs and also the Prime Minister, sent on behalf of the president and the government, Hisham Qandil. After Metropolitan Bakhomious and Bishop Paula thanked many of the attendees, they congratulated His Holiness Pope Tawadros personally. The holy liturgy then resumed with His Holiness presiding and a number of metropolitans and bishops participating in his first liturgy as the enthroned pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In a touch to end an eventful day, His Holiness insisted on going the length of the cathedral to spray the dismissal water on his new flock and beloved congregation.
H.H. Pope Tawadros II with H.H. Mar Ignatius Zaka I Iwas the Patriarch of Antioch along with Syrian Orthodox bishops
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Biography of H.H. Pope Tawadros II Born Wagih Subhi Baky Soliman in the Delta region of Mansoura, Egypt on the 4th of November 1952. His father passed away when Wagih was only 13 years old, and was mostly raised by his uncles, two of whom are Fr Youhana Baky from St Mark’s church in Heliopolis and the late Fr Antonious Baky who served in New York. His family later moved to Damanhur, capital of the Delta's Beheira governorate. In Damanhur, he went to the a Coptic school, where his Christian education began. Here he was directed largely by the school's headmistress, who also happened to be the sister of reigning Coptic pope, Cyril VI. At the age of 14 Wagih’s church was visited by HE Anba Pachomious, Metropolitan of Behera, and chose Wagih to serve in his youth group, thus making Anba Pachomious a very influential part of Wagih’s life. Wagih’s schooling continued, he received a scholarship from Britian’s International Health Institute and at the age of 23 he graduated from the University of Alexandria with a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy in 1975, he then managed a state run pharmaceutical factory in Damanhur. In 1983, he graduated from the Coptic Church's Clerical College. In 1986, at age 34 he heard God’s call for him to leave the world in search of something more, consequently he ventured in to the wilderness of Wadi-Natrun, to the monastery of the great St Bishoy, where he was ordained by the name Fr Theodore St Bishoy, a name inspired by his discipleship to HE Anba Pachomious, as St Theodore was the disciple of the great St Pachomious the father of communal monastic life. Two years later, he was ordained a Coptic Orthodox priest In 1997, Fr Theodore was ordained H.G. Bishop Tawadros, general bishop of Beheira and auxiliary to Archbishop Pachomios, with a special emphasis on serving the youth and the children of his diocese. This did not, however, stop him from pursuing his formal education. In 1999, he obtained a joint degree in pharmaceutical engineering, business administration and Christian education from a university in Singapore. On Sunday the 4th of November 2012 after a three day fast and after a divine liturgy with all the members of the Holy Synod the Lord choose H.G. Page 4
Bishop Tawadros to be H.H. Pope Tawadros II Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and the Sea of St Mark. Tawadros is an ancient Coptic name, similar to the Greek name 'Theodoros.' the name – which literally means 'Gift of God' – is often spelt 'Tadros.' In an interview immediately after his Papal rank was announced, he said that “ I did not expect this to happen, and I am unworthy, but it is upon God’s grace that we rely on, and I pray for God’s grace to rest on me.” When asked what some of his main concerns were he said that he wanted to keep and further organise the church in regards to Administrative work, Church services, communication, secretarial and specialised offices. With clear evidence of his discipleship to both HE Metropolitan Pachomious and HH Pope Shenouda 3rd; he stated that, the Pope of the Coptic Church is not just Pope for the Coptic people, but for all Egyptians, therefore I have an open heart for all who live in Egypt and he considers himself a servant of all. This statement clearly highlights to me that this holy man undoubtedly has what it takes to lead God’s people; true love and obedience to his Creator, and a heart after His own Heart.
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The Title of the Patriarch of Alexandria The official title of the head of the Coptic Church has traditionally been as follows, “Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and of all Egypt, the Pentapolis and Pelousia, Nubia, the Sudan, Jerusalem, Libya, Ethiopia and all Africa, and all countries of the preaching of Saint Mark." And only in the last 50 years “and all the lands of immigration” was added. So let us look at each term and what it means.
118th : After St Mark the apostle brought Christianity to Egypt, his successors were numbered after him. Pope Tawadrous II is numbered the 118th successor of St Mark. The lives of the 117 patriarchs are traditionally written in a book called “The History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria” which was compiled by Severus of Al'Ashmunein in the 11th Century A.D.. The tradition continued after his death till today.
POPE: The title pope in the Coptic church comes from the Latin papa and the Greek pappas, diminutive for "father"; the Coptic apa is from the Aramaic abba (hence the Arabic baba after the Arab conquest). The title "pope" has been in use in the Egyptian church from the beginning of the third century for the highest Eastern prelates and patriarchs, suggesting their spiritual paternity. In Rome its use began in the second half of the fourth century. From the sixth century, it was reserved in the West for the bishop of Rome. Yet the title in the church of Rome carries with it connotations of primacy that is not portrayed in the Coptic understanding of the title pope. While the pope of Alexandria is the head of the church yet he is not in any way exercise primacy or infallibility in doctrine over the other bishops of the church. His authority as traditionally explained “head among equals” meaning while he is the head of the church and has the right to ordain priests and bishops, only the Holy Synod of the church, which is comprised of the bishops, has the authority in making decisions regarding Doctrine.
PATRIARCH: The title Patriarch is given to the head of the Coptic church. The word is a composite term originating from Latin and Greek words: pater (father) and archos (leader or chief). In the Coptic church the term signifies the head of the entire church organization with archbishops, bishops, and priests under his ecclesiastical authority. In the earliest times the head of the church was the bishop of Alexandria, who came to be identified as pappas, or POPE, in the third century during the episcopate of Heraclas. Gradually both "patriarch" and "pope" were used interchangeably to describe the head of the Egyptian church. Page 6
OF THE GREAT CITY OF ALEXANDRIA AND OF ALL EGYPT: Alexandria was traditionally the capital city of Egypt until the Arabs moved the capital city to Cairo yet the traditional name still remains, as it is the city where St Mark the apostle first established the church. The papal thrown remained in Alexandria until the eleventh century, when it was moved to Cairo by Pope Christodoulus (1047-1077).
THE PENTAPOLIS AND PELOUSIA, NUBIA, THE SUDAN, JERUSALEM, LIBYA, ETHIOPIA AND ALL AFRICA, AND ALL COUNTRIES OF THE PREACHING OF SAINT MARK: The Authority of the Pope of Alexandria extended to the surrounding regions by one of the canon from the council of Nicaea in the year 325 A.D. which said: "Let the ancient custom prevail that was in vogue in Egypt and Libya and the Pentapolis, to allow the bishop of Alexandria to have authority over all these parts" (canon VI). In the last few decades as Coptic immigrants to western countries became a significant number; the Holy Synod of the Coptic church saw it fit to add “and all the lands of immigration� to the title of the head of the church.
THE HEAD OF MONK: Traditionally the popes of Alexandria were chosen from among the monks of the Coptic monasteries. While there are few exceptions to this rule yet the great majority are monks. Once a monk was selected, a group of bishops and archons went to his monastery and brought the candidate back from the desert in chains. The custom of chaining their choice must have started in remote antiquity, for pious monks were prone to refuse this office and often fled from ordination, hiding from their pursuers. It is also a tradition that after the ordination ceremony takes place the new patriarch goes to the monasteries to bless and be blessed from the holy monks who live there. So the patriarch in a sense is usually looked at as the head of monasticism. It is for this reason that H.H. Pope Tawadrous II was vested with the Eskim (the Highest monastic rank) few days before his enthronement. Reason being is that since he is the head of monasticism therefore he is able to vest monks with the Eskim.
Bishop Metaose putting on the Eskim on Bishop Tawadros Page 7
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