Associated Press | Nov 18, 2012 7:37 PM ET
CAIRO — The new pope of Egypt’s Orthodox Coptic church was enthroned on Sunday in an elaborate ceremony lasting nearly four hours, attended by the nation’s Muslim prime minister and a host of Cabinet ministers and politicians.
Pope Tawadros II, 60, was elected Nov. 4, but the official enthronement ceremony was held Sunday at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo. He replaced Shenouda III, who died in March after leading the ancient church for 40 years.
The packed cathedral repeatedly erupted into applause as the ceremony progressed. The ceremony’s climax came when the papal crown was placed on Tawadros’ head before he sat on the throne of St. Mark, the Coptic church’s founding saint.
Tawadros did not address the televised ceremony, but had a brief speech read on his behalf by one of the church’s leaders in which he pledged to work for the good of Egypt, with its Muslims and Christians alike.
Egypt’s Christians make up about 10 percent of the nation’s estimated 83 million people, making them the largest single Christian community in the Middle East.
Christians have long complained of discrimination, particularly in the last four decades as the country’s Muslim majority moved toward religious conservatism. The rise to power of Islamists after the ouster nearly two years ago of authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak has deepened their concerns, amid increasing attacks targeting their churches and businesses.
Catholic Pope Benedict XVI sent a message of congratulations to Tawadros. Vatican Radio said he expressed hope that relations between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church will continue to grow both “in a fraternal spirit of collaboration” as well as “through a deepening of the theological dialogue.”
NOTE FROM LYN: Is anyone thinking what I’m thinking? Please share your thoughts! Follow this link to read about his name and the meaning:
CLICK HERE
Categories: Bible Prophecy, Breaking News
A quote about Tawadros II from the Egypt Independant: “Tawadros, formerly the archbishop of Beheira, draws his reputation from being one of the church’s dovish figures, known for seeking peaceful solutions to sectarian conflicts that arose under his jurisdiction. He is a close figure to the former interim pope, Bishop Pachomius”. It becomes even more interesting when you consider the history of his namesake Tawadros I, and what happened during his reign:http://salamamoussa.com/2012/11/14/tawadros-ii-what-is-in-a-name/
Good “get” Lyn, definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Thank you so much! God bless you! Check this out https://lynleahz.com/2012/11/19/new-coptic-pope-says-no-visit-to-jerusalem-until-it-is-liberated/ I really think we have something here!
It won’t be long!
What are your thoughts about this guy? did you watch the vids?
Amen sister!