Days go on and time passes, but Egypt will stay glorious due to her sincere sons who present love to her and her people. Love is a reason for erection. Love also brings joy. During a meeting that characterized by love between the President “Abdel Fattah el-Sisi” and the Egyptians, his congratulation was an evidence of his great parenthood to all the Egyptians and a message of joy stressing that “the president of Egypt” is a loving parent responsible for all the Egyptians and shares them their feasts. For the second straight time, the president attended the Holy Mass of Glorious Nativity feast at St. Mark’s Cathedral to congratulate the Coptic people. He presented a great image that Egypt has been giving to the world and the history will record to be an example for the whole world and a glimpse of light in the life of Egyptians.
The president encouraged all the Egyptians to congratulate one another and has read a former report then he took the practical step and congratulated us warmly by his presence in night of Nativity feast to St. Mark’s Cathedral. His words were so simple, gentle and practically deep, wise and peaceful. They expressed his great parenthood to all the Egyptians as he is their father and the one who is responsible for them, we can see in his words the following traits:
Love
His words expressed the importance of real love as Jesus Christ’s message was love and peace to the world and that is how Egyptians should live. His Excellency said that last year he said he wanted us to really love and respect each other, so he hoped that we should practically do that and he congratulated all the Egyptians on the Nativity feast. The President clarified that what begins in love, ends by great achievements and that the tie of love is the tie that unify, strengthen, and keep the nation together to face the hardest conditions in all fields.
Diversity:
Nation’s unity and strength are confirmed through love and no storm can strike them if love is there. Division is what unties a nation. The president advice to all of us was to keep our unity and understand the idea of diversity that encourages distinction of every person yet his integration with others. He stated that we are united and wished that God keeps our unity. He advised all of the attendees and himself not to be apart,” Nothing can harm us, not our economic conditions or political conditions. Unless we diverge, we can overcome anything, adding that diversity in religions, traditions and languages is part of God’s norms of life
“God Has created us different…in religion, manner, color, language, habit, tradition…and no one can make us the all same,” said President Sisi. Diversity is a critical matter we should recognize, accept and appreciate its merits that help us achieve success and progress. When we collaborate, we resemble a music piece that fills the world with its diverse and magnificent tunes played in a creative and elegant harmony. Our collaboration expresses a discerning thought that is aware of the nature of our humanity that God created, Glory be to His Name. Thus, when people understand and recognize the true value of their diversity, they will accept each other and welcome those who are different from them, achieving what the president said, “To not only accept, but to lovingly accept the other, as God created us this way“.
Responsibility:
President Sisi expressed his appreciation to the Coptic people for their patriotic situations during the hard times Egypt passed through. He hoped that the coming year will be the time of restoring what was lost “God willing in the next year, God willing, we will restore every single home and church you lost. Note that it is not out of our courtesy but it your right and we will never forget the H.H Pope Tawadrous’ or your honorable patriot stance that you have adopted during that period.”
Unity:
Egypt will always be great thanks to its people. It is country of peace, safety and goodness, as his Excellency wrote that, it was chosen by God the Most Glorious and the Praiseworthy to be the rest place for Jesus Christ and His pure Mother Virgin Mary. This is a great indication that Allah, wanted it to be a spring of love and an adobe of peace and stability which are noble values we should maintain and keep our unity whether Muslims or Christians to keep our unity. Egypt is the country that was an adobe for Ibrahim: God’s friend, Jacob, Joseph and his brethrens and Moses “God’s talker”. It was the resort to God’s prophets. People from all over the world lived in it due to its safety and stability. It’s written in the Bible “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Thus God prepared El –Sisi at this critical stage of the Egyptians’ life to lead and unify them.
We celebrated Nativity with a wise father whom God granted wisdom resembles Solomon’s and a loving heart for all his people, the young and the old. When his Excellency was going out of the church, he knew that there was a child who wanted to greet him. Our great father agreed and waited for the child to shake hands with him and make his heart joyous on Christmas Eve.
Many happy returns to all of us, may God keep Egypt and its people safe and united under the leadership of President Sisi. I conclude by his great words ”Long live Egypt by all of us”.
Anba Ermiah, General Bishop& President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
