I congratulate all the Egyptians on the commemoration of October’s victories that we celebrated last Thursday hoping that goodness, prosperity and peace prevail over Egypt and be enjoyed by her people.
October’s Victories have always brought to our minds many a brave and heroic victories our valiant soldiers achieved especially on the battle’s field and all parts of Egypt in general. All Egyptians have wished to achieve victory and liberation of our precious land; they have had that dream and worked to achieve it. Indeed, they achieved what the rest of the world considered impossible thanks to their earthshaking power. As the Le Figaro, the French Newspaper mentioned that Egypt, during October’s war, had been engaged in a long-term war with Israel leaving behind 7 thousand years of civilization.
Egyptians have always been one connected nation in tribulations. They sacrifice all what they own for the sake of their country even if it was their lives; they will offer it with love. In many former articles, we discussed many a sacrifice that was made for the sake of Egypt. However, in the light of these memories, we should reflect on our current situation. We should realize that October’s victory was the first step on the path of victory, achievement, growth and welfare that each and every Egyptian dreams to live in. We can’t turn a blind eye to the obstacles in our way, however any path is full of stones that we either stumble on or use to make a ladder toward our dreams.
Bar Lev Line was a stumbling block that haunted our dreams of liberty, although it didn’t prevent us from dreaming and toiling to achieve this dream for even a single moment. The Egyptian brilliance and willpower managed to break through that invincible line. Thus, October’s victory can represent the reviving memory that grants us hope to achieve our present dreams that others consider impossible, yet through will power, toiling and unity we can overcome any obstacle hindering our progress. It is our choice to accept and pass through the challenge of constituting a brighter future through our faith and effort as much as October’s heroes achieved.
Words of our great writer, Naguib Mahfouz, echoed in my mind that 6th of October’s victory was a revolution not just a battle. As battles are conflicts that may end by victory or defeat, however, revolution is a leap surpassing time and space limitations in order to build up civilization. It is a symbol of a man repealing himself, defying his current situation, eliminating his fears to face the most evil and controlling powers. October’ spirit can’t be dampened as it opened before us an endless path and breaking through Bar Lev Line was the first leap on it. October’s victory is not just an achievement; it is a mission of life that should be adopted in the coming days and a lesson that should be learnt from the past.
Many Happy Returns to all
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
