EGYPT is a country marked by greatness since the very dawn of history, a country priding herself in her patriotic people, more so in the face of tribulations and hardships encountered, as she swiftly overcomes life’s blows. Egypt instils greatness in the hearts of her children from which the whole world learns. How inspiring is every Egyptian with their genius and greatness, their inherent civilization, coupled with a unique strength of will.
Holding Egypt deepest in his heart, our very own President Abd Al-Fattah Al-Seesy is in an ongoing pursuit to prevail Egypt’s status, uphold her prestige, consolidate her structure, rekindling her dignity, pride and pioneering among the nations of the world, while devoted in full to maintaining her ultimate security and safety.
He is the President of one and all of the Egyptians.
Among the evident qualities that President Al-Seesy enjoys is being a commander of the highest-rank, no less of a true believer, a leader who enjoys an unflaggingly valiant, strong and confident personality, a man of enviable wisdom and absolute clarity, wise, flexible, calm and collected, proactive, fair and objective, sacrificial, erudite, capable, accomplished, and all the more a caring father to all Egyptians, tirelessly working for our welfare as for our edification. His is a heart brimming with compassion for the whole nation, sensitive to our individual needs, inspiring us all with his advice and guidance, whose singular agenda is striving to achieve our ultimate dreams and aspirations.
It was the Sacred Christmas Eve Celebration at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo, that carried an exemplary mark of Mr President Abd Al-Fattah Al-Seesy’s genuine paternity for the whole Egyptian nation, reassuring the very role of the Republic’s President being equally uniform towards each and every citizen dwelling on Egyptian soil, personally present in our occasions, to always remain far removed from prejudices, instead ushering all citizens towards unity, instilling within us a sense of patriotism and integration.
In modern history, many are the citations of Egyptian Presidents who initiated visits to the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate:
On January 8th, 1953 C.E., Mr President Mohamed Naguib, visited the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate on the Feast of the Nativity to offer his greetings to Pope Yousab II [115th Patriarch].
As for Mr President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who laid the foundation stone of the Cathedral in 1965 C.E. at Abba Ruweis, he followed by attending the festive inauguration in 1968 C.E. during the Pontificate of Pope Kyrillos [Cyril] VI [116th Patriarch].
Mr President Mohammed Anwar Al-Sadat paid a visit to the Patriarchate in 1977 C.E. during the Pontificate of Pope Shenouda III [117th Patriarch].
Mr President Hosni Mubarak arrived at the Cathedral in 2007 C.E. to offer his condolences upon the departure of the late Mr Fikry Makram Ebeid.
During the course of the Military Junta’s governance of the country, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi arrived at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in 2012 C.E. to offer condolences upon the departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.
Mr President Adly Mansour approached the Pontifical Residency Headquarters in 2013 C.E. to offer the Nativity congratulations to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria [118th Patriarch], may God safeguard him.
In terms of history, our current President Mr Abd Al-Fattah Al-Seesy,” is the very first head of state who cared to attend, in person, at the Coptic Orthodox Nativity Mass Prayers, held inside St. Mark’s Cathedral, affording the Coptic congregation his heartfelt congratulations. In so doing, and yes, in mere seconds, our President charted a phase in Egypt’s history anew, engraving luminous letters in the hearts of us all, his national children.
Our very President of Egypt shall rightfully be preserved in the annals of both Egyptian history and that of the world through this mammoth accomplishment, recording a ruler all-too-loving, ingenious, alert, preoccupied with the unity of his nation’s people.
In word and deed, this leader and teacher has become a living role model who enjoys some mesmerizing traits for heads of other nations to emulate.
His Excellency the President has initiated by his words some tell-tale gestures of overflowing paternal love that fills his heart towards us Egyptians, to him we are but indeed the citizens of his homeland.
Prime among the words uttered by His Excellency during his meeting with the people in the Cathedral, I posit these, most expressive of his fatherhood: “I felt obliged to attend for your sakes, to say: Merry Christmas and many happy returns”. Then adding: “I want to tell you, one and all, that we, God willing, will build our country hand in hand, lending an attentive ear to each other, and yes, effectively cherishing each other. INDEED!”
The obligation our President addressed, flows from his parental heart, embracing all of his children in his tender loving care, vigilant to stress the role of Egypt and her head of state in conveying the true meaning of civilization to the world and the human race, Egypt, the state dedicated to her nationals, by her children, Egypt is filled with love for the entire human family.
Unprecedented, in a mere few minutes, Mr Al-Seesy has managed to draft a history to be etched in all Egyptians’ memories; by heart to be recited to their own children, caring to teach this to their great, great grandchildren.
To the world, the President has introduced the personality of a true leader who is sage, strong, loving and caring, whose sole agenda is that of initiating the work of goodness, charity and compassion.
Wishing you all the very joy the Blessed Nativity affords, year in, year out.
May God – blessed be His Name – safeguard Egypt and the unity of her people, military and her very President.
Bishop General
President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
