December 2002
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MESSAGE OF PATRIARCH PETROS TO PRESIDENT MOUBARAK Ref. No. P.V./296 To: His Excellency President Mohamed Hosni Moubarak President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Cairo, Egypt Your Excellency, It is with great joy that we heard Your announcement proclaiming Christmas as a National Holiday of Egypt, where God has appointed You as the Leader of this God-blessed Nation. The Arab Republic of Egypt is an example of harmony between Muslims and Christians. Your Excellency always works at building a land without violence, a nation that loves life, and grows in justice and solidarity. For these reasons and many more Egypt is a model country and an example for others to follow. We take this opportunity to express once again our gratefulness and appreciation for the protection and assistance that our Patriarchate and the members of the Greek Orthodox Church receive from the civil authorities of Egypt. May the Almighty God grant health and strength to Your Excellency and peace and prosperity to the beloved people of the Arab Republic of Egypt. With our prayers, + PETROS VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa In the Great City of Alexandria December 19th, 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PATRIARCHAL MESSAGE FOR CHRISTMAS Ref. No. 715 PETROS VII BY THE GRACE OF GOD POPE AND PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA TO ALL THE FAITHFUL OF OUR CHURCH, GRACE, PEACE AND MERCY FROM OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST WHO BECAME INCARNATE 'For Christ himself has made peace between us by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us'. (Ephesians 2:14) My beloved children in Christ, We stand once again in front of the mystical presence of God by celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ! Do we witness this great event or we are just continuing an empty tradition that we commemorate with temporary offerings of the season? If peace is the goal, how does the world transcend social evil, the destruction and disruption of peace and respond to the call of the times to work for the peace? Today's times are difficult and troubling. Many divisions are taking place particularly religious ones. Universal ruffles, rage, hate, violence, conflicts and as the zenith widespread terrorism. All these threats grow on a daily basis. Even those who up until today were unaffected now see the brutal ax of a new world that endeavors to cut off and restrain any positive voice that calls for peace. The hostilities are increasing and the nuclear threat hangs over us. The inequality among people in the world and the separation between different cultures increases the gap between people upsetting the balance of civilization, human virtues are looked down upon and indifference to human suffering, hunger, grief and death becomes commonplace. The children in Africa are suffering of starvation and with tears in their eyes ask 'Why?' 'Where is the King of the peace and our hope?' We can find a simple and clear answer to this question by contemplating our duty and taking up the cross of peace on our shoulders. As a result we can then benefit from the 'precious blessing' that is bestowed (St. Basil the Great). Far removed from empty words and rhetoric; far removed from the manipulation of various pacifistic systems and organizations whose aim is their own benefit; is the 'Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6), the one Who calls for peace (St. Athanasios the Great). Those who desperately seek peace should take refuge in Him. If we have the peace of God in our hearts, this peace can then be imparted to others so that they too may have peace in their hearts. The Gospel of peace, which is our weapon against evil, can turn away any harm, calm the soul and cure any wounds of iniquity. It is a great responsibility of Church Leaders, in particular myself that shepherds the blessed souls of the missionary nations in Africa, to help engender peace as a living experience. If we have Jesus Christ in the midst of our family then we have Him in our society as well. Here He builds the law of love and justice, breaks down the injustice that reigns today and restores the dove of peace as an unshakable sign of life and happiness. My beloved children, It brings such joy to hear the voice of God saying 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring peace' (Romans 10:15). Christ is born. He is our peace. Preach peace, love peace, struggle for peace and then the grace of God will be with us. From the See of St. Mark, the Apostle and Evangelist, we paternally wish that the God of peace grant you every gift, blessing and joy that comes from above so that 'the peace of the Lord will reign infinitely and endlessly from ages to ages' (St. Basil the Great). With the love of our Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, + PETROS VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa In the Great City of Alexandria Christmas 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT MOUBARAK Ref. No. P.V./296 To: His Excellency President Mohamed Hosni Moubarak President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Cairo, Egypt Your Excellency, It is with great joy that we heard Your announcement proclaiming Christmas as a National Holiday of Egypt, where God has appointed You as the Leader of this God-blessed Nation. The Arab Republic of Egypt is an example of harmony between Muslims and Christians. Your Excellency always works at building a land without violence, a nation that loves life, and grows in justice and solidarity. For these reasons and many more Egypt is a model country and an example for others to follow. We take this opportunity to express once again our gratefulness andappreciation for the protection and assistance that our Patriarchate and the members of the Greek Orthodox Church receive from the civil authorities of Egypt. May the Almighty God grant health and strength to Your Excellency and peace and prosperity to the beloved people of the Arab Republic of Egypt. With our prayers, + PETROS VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa In the Great City of Alexandria December 19th, 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLESSING OF THE ‘VASILOPITA’ (NEW YEAR’S CAKE) AT THE PATRIARCHATE We would like to inform all the members of our Church, that His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa is going to bless the ‘Vasilopita’ (New Year’s Cake), on Tuesday, December 31st, 2002, at 6 p.m. at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. Savvas. At the same time the Patriarch will give his rubric speech including the review for 2002 and the planning for 2003. From the Patriarchal Offices--------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE MECC On Tuesday, December 17th, 2002, His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, as the President of the Orthodox family of the Churches in the Middle East, visited the Coptic Patriarchate and met with Dr. Rev. Riad Jarjour, General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Presidents of the other families, both present and former. Present at the meeting were the following: H.H. Shenouda, Patriarch of the Coptic Church, President of the Oriental Orthodox Churches; H.H. Ignatios Zakka, Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church; H.H. Kasparian, former Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church; Dr. Salim Sayouni, President of the Evangelical and Protestant Churches; H.E. Kyrillos Bustros, President of the Catholic Churches; H.G. Samir Kafayati, former Bishop of Jerusalem of the Anglican Church. Also present were: H.E. Bishop Metropolitan of Damiette; H.G. George, Bishop of Nilopolis; H.G. Johannes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Church; the Very Revd. Fr. George El Samaa; and Mr. Guirgis Saleh, Associate Secretary General and Representative of the MECC in Egypt. The following issues were discussed: the date and agenda of the next meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council that will take place in Cyprus this forthcoming January; and the future function of the Council (financial and administration statutes). It was unanimously decided to set up a special committee to study the proposals of every denomination and present them to the Executive Committee. His Beatitude Petros highlighted that the MECC, since its foundation in 1974, has succeeded in most of its issues especially in bringing the Christian Churches in Middle East closer together and aiding the peaceful coexistence of Christian and Muslims in this sensitive region. Following the meeting Patriarch Shenouda hosted a luncheon at the Patriarchal Palace. That evening His Beatitude returned to Alexandria. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM
THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA
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