PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Date: 17th March 2012
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK
Media and Public Relations Office
His
Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in
the UK announced the departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.
On 17th March 2012 His Grace Bishop Angaelos announced the departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope
of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of
Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
In a statement released today Bishop Angaelos said the following:
“His
Holiness Pope Shenouda III will be remembered by his Church as a
dedicated servant of God and of the people, a man who faithfully endured
through conflict, opposition, and persecution. His Holiness built upon
the foundation laid by our Lord Jesus Christ, enhancing the Church in a
variety of ways, encouraging a spirit of unity for all of humanity. May
his prayers be with us all, and may he find joy and rest in the Kingdom
of our gracious Lord.”
The
announcement came during a sports ministry event at The Coptic Orthodox
Church Centre involving hundreds of youth from across the United
Kingdom; His Grace commented that “this was especially pertinent as
youth ministry has always been one of the passions of His Holiness and
it would have given him joy to see this gathering.”
His
Holiness Pope Shenouda was consecrated Pope of Alexandria on November
14, 1971, and under his leadership the Church experienced rapid growth
within Egypt and in the lands of immigration, including the United
Kingdom, Europe and Australia, with over 200 churches in North America
being established, there being only 4 at the time of his succession.
His
Holiness gave weekly meetings to over seven thousand people in the
Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, authored over 100 spiritual books, later
translated into many languages for consumption worldwide; he also
ordained over 80 Metropolitans and Bishops and over 600 priests.
His
Holiness was also dedicated to ecumenism and helped to pave the way
towards greater unity between the Oriental, Catholic, and Protestant
among other Churches worldwide being the first pope in over 1500 years
to visit the Vatican in 1973, agreeing to establish joint commissions
for dialogue on unity.
There will be a book of condolence available at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre from Monday 19th March 2012 for those who would like to show their respects. Please contact Admin@CopticCentre.com or phone 01438-745232.
For more information please contact:
Media and Public Relations Officer
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
Shephalbury Manor
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
Fax: +44 (0)1438 313879
Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
Website: www.CopticCentre.com
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
Shephalbury Manor
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
Fax: +44 (0)1438 313879
Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
Website: www.CopticCentre.com
Blog: www.CopticCentre.Blogspot.com
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