Under the patronage of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the see of Saint Mark and his two partners in the apostolic service Their Eminences Anba Moussa, General Bishop of Youth, and Anba Ermia, General Bishop and head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and In cooperation between the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Youth Bishopric, the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 a festive entitled “Martyrs Heroic” on the occasion of 40th day memorial of the Petrine church martyrs.
The ceremony was attended by Their Eminences Anba Benyamin Bishop of Menoufia, Anba Basanti bishop of Helwan and Maasara, Anba Isaiah Bishop of Tahta and Juhaina Anba Salib Bishop of Mit Ghamr. The festive was also attended by Mr. Sayed Sharif, Undersecretary of the House of Representatives, a number of ministers including DR. Ahmed Zaki Badr, Minister of Local Development, Engineer / Khalid Abdul Aziz Minister of Sports and Youth, Mr. Hilmi Nimnim Minister of Culture, Ambassador / Nabila Makram State Minister for Migration Affairs and Egyptians abroad as well as former prime ministers including Mr. Osama Kamal, former Information Minister and head of the Committee on Culture and Media of the parliament, Dr. Abdul Wahed ElNabawi former Minister of Culture, Dr. Nadia Zachary former Minister of Scientific Research and member of the Advisory Council of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, Dr. Mamdouh Eldamaty former Minister of Antiquities, in addition to Dr. Samir Ghattas, a member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Mohamed Abu Hamed member of the House of Representatives, Chancellor Khalid ElQadi head of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Hani Aziz, Secretary General of the Association of Peaceful Egypt lovers, Dr. Manal Awad, Deputy of the Governor of Giza, Mr. Mohammad Masood member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Sayed Kahatab head of censorship on artistic works, Maj. Gen. Atef Salib, and writer / Fatima Naoot.
The ceremony began with Anba Moussa, Bishop of youth, speech in which he pointed that the martyrs souls are still with us, Their presence in the church and their martyrdom was a message from God as God wanted them to Eucharist with him in heaven, not on earth.
His Eminence expressed his deep gratitude to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and armed forces and all state agencies, for supporting the families of martyrs and providing medical care to the wounded, his grace also expressed his deep gratitude to Anba Ermia for his great effort on both national and ecclesiastical levels, where he devoted all capabilities to serve the Church and the country.
For his part, Anba Ermia thanked Bishop Moussa, for his kind words, pointing out that what he is doing but is because of the seed that Anba Moussa planted in him, His Eminence also thanked Mr. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, stressing that he fulfilled all his promises, as proof what has been achieved in the Petrine Church in just 15 days. His Eminence also expressed his thanks to the engineering staff of the armed forces, and for all state agencies. After Anba Ermia concluded his speech, Bishops and Ministers granted the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center shield to the martyrs of the Petrine church families. The festive included many musical and theatrical sections and ecclesiastical and national hymns.
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