Many questions have echoed in my mind, and doubtless to say they were addressed since ancient times in the minds of many: What if the world did not agree on the meaning of peace and hence what the meaning of life, death, construction and demolishment would be! What if the world stands back and watches the pain and suffering of others! What if principles and humanity perish!
There is no doubt that the loss of peace in life is an appalling that leads us away from the meaning of life for which we were created. There is no doubt that the loss of values, principles and humanity will only lead to more chaos , and then suffering will not become for those who wronged but for all. This is the first message that the records of history have given us.
It is undeniable that the world is no longer consisting of separate islands, separated from one another and not influenced by the conditions of one another, but as it is said: it is a “small village”; a big family that has to recognize and learn the value of life. Each member of it should know his role in order to preserve the strength, unity and cohesion of the family members, and if one of them lags behind or takes advantage of his personal interest, we will find only one way: the division that leads us toward one way; destruction! If we have a quick look at the wars and conflicts that have erupted in any place or time, we will find only the loss, the pain, the sorrow and the destruction of all parties, not only of humanity, but of the whole earth along with its attributes of life and civilization along with all the progress of the values , principles, dreams and humanity.
For example, when the First World War broke out (1914-1918), human losses were estimated at more than thirty seven million soldiers from dead, wounded, prisoners, to those who were missing. There were lost crops, livestock, houses, factories, natural resources and others. When peace prevailed, there were no human resources that could rebuild and restore what was lost. Human reconstruction needed more effort, time and potential, although it had recovered some of the lost civilization, economy, etc, it was unable to retrieve everything especially humans!
The quest for peace in the world is no longer a matter of welfare, it is about life for all, and it can only be achieved by all. In conclusion, the beginning of peace stems from the depths of every human being first, so that it becomes part of the human identity, hence entrenched in the whole world. It begins by extending the hand of goodness to one another. We all sail in the paths of life on a single boat that will not arrive at its destination except by unceasing common peace and unified effort. Let peace be our goal and our way of life.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
