Copts` News www.elmanara.org.au
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Copts` News www.elmanara.org.au
AN INITIATIVE OF THE MEDIA COMMITTEE - DIOCESE OF SYDNEY & AFFILIATED REGIONS 15th Hathor 1730 24th November 2013 Copts’ News Volume 1, Issue 164 Volume 2, Issue 77 “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.” - Luke 2:52 Find this issue online at Next Issue: 22nd December 2013 www.elmanara.org.au Deadline for submissions: 15th December 2013 First Year Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Pope Tawadrous II The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and It’s Affiliated Regions, together with the Priests, deacons and the whole congregation would like congratulate our beloved father, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II on the first year anniversary of His Enthronement as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic See of St Mark. We pray that God may keep Him on His seat for many years and peaceful times and that He may continue to guide His Church in Purity and righteousness. HSC GRADUATES CRUISE 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in South Korea The WCC stands for the World Council of Churches formed in 1948 in Amsterdam. The Assembly that met in Busan, South Korea was its 10th Assembly. The Assembly meets every 7 years. It was an unbelievable experience attending the 10th Assembly. More than 4,000 participated in the Assembly, coming from al around the world. More than 340 churches with 17 confessional families participated. Each morning it commenced with opening worship, Bible Study, and a Plenary to reflect the WCC work. In the afternoon there was a workshop, an Ecumenical discussion, a business section and closing prayer in the night time. Read on page 4 A typical day at the WCC will commence at 8.30am and conclude at 9.00pm in the night time. It was a very hectic time at the Assembly. The Coptic Orthodox Church delegation was strong. There were six Bishops, four clergy and a number of lay people, both men and women and a number of youth. His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy led the delegation: 1. His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Demitta in Egypt, Head of the Delegation; 2. His Grace Bishop Antonious Marcos – General Bishop for Preaching, Based in South Africa; 3. His Grace Bishop Youannes, General Bishop of the Bishopric of Social Services, based Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions HIS GRACE BISHOP RAFAIEL Arrived WE warmly welcome HG at his FIRST VISIT TO SYDNEY Read on page 12 editor@elmanara.org.au 24th November 2013 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” H.H. Pope Tawadros II From the good remarking in the holy bible that there are some short sentences which are repeated a lot. One of the famous sentences repeated in the holy bible; “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This sentence is repeated a lot in the final book of the holy bible, which is the book of Revelation and the church chooses an important night between the cross and the resurrection, Apocalypse night, when we read the book of revelation with the hymns. It contains this sentence and we say it with its melody. But one of the most astonishing things in the holy bible is this sentence is repeated in the month of Hatour, in our Sunday prayers. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” The month of Hatour is characterized with the beginning of the Nativity fast in it’s second half. So between the nativity fasting, which starts in the 16th of Hatour, and the end of the Great Lent, the church starts and ends with that sentence and this is an astonishing matter. The more astounding matter is that this sentence is repeated in the first, second and third Sunday from the month of Hatour; and the forth Sunday the church chooses the story of the sad rich man. The church put it before us in the 4th Sunday as if the church tells us that here is a man who had ears but he went sad after then as he didn’t listen. The church puts before us this image and sentence, as it’s an important one in our lives. Ears are one of the principal organs in the human body and it’s one of the five senses, and sometimes when we arrange the senses, we say; eyes, ears… but some of the auditors prefer to start with ears, and when we ask them about the reason, they come with a meaningful answer. The ears is distinct from the eyes regarding two important aspects; the eye doesn’t work except in the presence of light, there needs to be a degree of light to see, but it doesn’t matter with the ears, we hear in both light and darkness; second point is that the 2 eyes see straight forward and it can’t see what is behind it, thus they work in one direction, but the ears hear in all directions. That’s why they say that man in morning is an optical being; he depends on his eyes, but in both day and night, he is an acoustic being, he listens. In night while you are sleeping, your ears mostly work. Someone wakes up due to any sound, and other one doesn’t easily wake up. What is this precious sentence that is put by the church at the start of the nativity fasting, at the end of the great lent too and read in the book of Revelation that is also repeated 10 times in the New Testament? What we hear is not as important as to whom we hear, as we hear a lot. To whom you hear is a principal point, it’s also important how we listen. A person can appear not to hear, and it’s not the truth. For example some teens like to listen to what they only like, i.e. “selective hearing”, for example the father may speak regarding a topic and the child selects one word from it, and says to him; “you said.” As the Egyptian proverb goes, “some people listen with only one ear”. That’s why these ears can control your destiny as a human being. First point I want you to know that we don’t mean here the substantial listening, I mean the ear organ is good, but we also mean here the spiritual listening, listening from the heart or the inner listening. It’s clear to you that listening is included to all man’s phases on earth, starting from Adam & Eve as they didn’t listen to God’s voice. Both Adam & Eve heard God’s voice and they had union with Him, but they didn’t listen to Him with their hearts, and then came the violation and the disobedience, and humanity entered in sin, and so the rest of the story. Be attentive to 3 points: first do not deceive yourself into believing that you are a spiritual man. Many in their spiritualties rely merely on ears, which is not enough. The ear may hear, but what does it lead to, what is the next step? What can the rich man do from what he heard? Nothing. That is why St. James the apostle said in his epistle in chapter 1: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” And he continues saying; “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Sometimes the church organizes beneficial spiritual days, and people come to attend, but these spiritual days is meant to establish a true change in people’s hearts, yet some attend without any change at all. So be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. It means that someone may listen and deceive himself in same time, which is a very serious matter, that’s why do not deceive yourself of being a spiritual person, live the true faith and the commandments. And your presence with the commandments and your listening to them is life. Our Christianity stands on that, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him.” It’s listening. In the month of Hatour the church also talks to us about the proverb of the sower in the first and second Sunday. Such repetition does not reoccur again during the entire year. This is because the ecclesiastical Calendar depends on the agricultural calendar and agriculture was the main activity in Egypt in the past. Second point, listen to the voice of the commandment, I mean, the whole Bible, along with the Sayings of the Father that explain the commandments. What matters is not how much you read in the Bible, rather how much you understand and whether you will practice the commandment or not. But beware do not choose some commandments to practice them and leave the rest of the commandments. Many people choose what suits them from the Commandments or choose a part of a commandment, which is is completely unacceptable. Make the voice commandment always in the home, as mentioned Deuteronomy: “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:8-9) Thirdly, we listen to many voices: Listen to the voice of your spiritual father (father of confession) or to the spiritual guide. It is assumed that there is a strong spiritual relationship between you and the father of confession. The Spiritual father is full of the Holy Spirit, thus we can listen to his voice with Confidence, and this is not his voice but the voice of God. This relationship between you and your spiritual father is not weeks or months ago, but it is a relationship of years. Listen to the voice of God through the voice of your spiritual father. The forth voice which we have to listen to is the voice of nature, nature is talking, it is created by God’s hand therefore it is talking, the air is talking, and trees all the nature is talking, seas, the rivers, the firmament showeth His handiwork. (Psalm 19: 1) Floods and epidemics are talking to us, Sometimes people forget God as in the days of Nineveh, therefore these voices come to awaken the man. Today, the world has become a small village, thus we know any event anywhere within a few seconds, thus If you hear about any event of nature anywhere consider it as a voice, so pay attention only it could be a message for you, nature is talking. Some people record the song of birds especially in the early morning; it looks like a musical composition. Another voice you have to listen to is the voice of life, I mean the stories of the lives of others. Every story helps us to understand life more and more. Therefore, it is useful for our children in the teenage and youth to read the memos or dairy of some notable people, these give a kind of vision and experience of life, so listen to the voice of life through the lives of others. Another voice : Listen to the voice of the church fathers. The fathers talked to us through their writings and explanations, the early fathers taught us how to rejoice in all the commandment. It is of great benefit to read biographies of fathers read their writings, to know their teachings and memorize their words, such as the teachings of St. Athanasius the Apostle, St. Gregory Nazianzus, Saint John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, St. Cyril the Great. Saints who had been given us the teachings to live and to illuminate the road for us And finally listen to the voice of the other, the people around you, he could be a father or mother, brother or sister, man or woman, listen. Your father may advise you father you, but you do not like it at the time but after a while might say my father taught so and so, there is it is lovely phrases: I see further than my father because he carries me on his shoulders. I see further than my father not because of my efforts but because he carries me on his shoulders. Therefore father and mother and sisters and brothers love you honestly, listen to their voice, father and mother, brother or sister, boy or girl younger or older than you , listen to the voice of the other, since God may talk to you through them. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11: 15) Be Ready to listen to the voice of God, Tell him, O Lord, I want to hear and understand your message to me every day, and I will not let you go O Lord if you do not send me a personal message, Lord, I am waiting for your message. Help me live your commandment and rejoice in your presence in my life. Glory to God, Amen editor@elmanara.org.au Copts’ News 24th Hathor 1730 CONTEMPLATION ON THE SYMBOLS OF THE VIRGIN MARY Contemplation on the symbols of the Virgin Mary – as derived from the Holy Bible and the holy Psalmody of Kiahk – who through divine conception bore Jesus Christ the son of God, and hence became the Theotokos, Mother of God. Symbols of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God: 1- Noah’s Dove Genesis 8: 6-12: “So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore”. Hail to you O Mary the fair dove, who gave birth to God the word with whom we are united.In the same way as the dove announced a new creation after the flood that destroyed everything except those protected in the Ark, so our lady the Virgin Mary who carried Christ in her womb, announced the good news to all humanity. Through Christ was salvation from sin; Through His incarnation, His crucifixion and death, and His holy resurrection from the dead, Christ gave us salvation from sin so that He may raise us up with Him so that we can sit at the right hand of the Father and be glorified with Him in His Second Coming and the judgement of the world. Like the dove which carried the leaf of peace to Noah as a symbol of God’s reconciliation with man, likewise the Virgin Mary is the dove of peace that carried the Prince of Peace, Christ our Lord, who through His death reconciled us with the Father, who hence lifted His wrath away from us. Also she resembles the dove in her simplicity, purity and the work of the Holy Spirit through her. 2- Jacob’s Ladder Genesis 28: 10-15: “Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” O Ladder of Jacob You held the Judge And He dwelt in your womb You gave birth to the Son of Man You were likened to the ladder, Which Jacob saw, rising up to heaven, with the awesome God standing above it You have found grace and the Lord is with you, you are the ladder which Jacob saw, set firmly on the earth and reaching to heaven where the angels descend upon it. Jacob saw and spoke with God who stood above the ladder. In like manner the Virgin Mary was the ladder that reconciled the earthly with the heavenly, through her Son, the only true Mediator who reconciled us to the Father through His blood which opened for us the path to heaven. The angels are descending from God to us and ascending to God carrying our prayers to Him. 3- The Ark of covenant Exodus 25: 10-15 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a moulding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it”. Exodus 37: 1-5 “Then Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a moulding of gold all around it. And he cast for it four rings of gold to be set in its four corners: two rings on one side, and two rings on the other side of it. He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.” Continued next week 3 24th November 2013 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in South Korea in Cairo, Egypt; 4. His Grace Bishop Angelos, General Coptic Bishop, based in Stevenage in the UK; 5. His Grace Bishop David, General Coptic Bishop, based in New Jersey in the USA; 6. His Grace Bishop Daniel of Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney, based in Sydney, Australia; 7. Very Rev Fr Yacoub, Coptic Priest of St Mary & St Bakhoumis Church, New York in the USA 8. Rev Fr Bassilious Gad, Parish Priest of ST Mary Zeitoun, Cairo, Egypt; 9. Rev Fr Bishoy Helmi, Parish Priest if St Anthony’s Church, Shoubra, based in Cairo, Egypt; 10. Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour, parish priest of St Antonius & St. Paul, NSW, Australia, and President of NSW Ecumenical Council, based in Sydney, Australia; 11. Nun, Mother Antonia of St Demaina Nunnery based in Egypt; 12. Professor Dr Wedad Abbas, Professor of Dogmatic Theology in High Coptic Institute, Based in Egypt; 13. Professor Isaac Agaban, Professor of Church History in High Coptic Institute, Based in Cairo, Egypt; 14. Dr Guirgis Saleh, PhD in Comparative Theology in His Coptic Institure based in Cairo; 15. Mr. Rami, representing the youth in Egypt; and 16.Mr. Bishoy Fr Michael Edward of USA. One of the most proud moments at the 10th Assembly for the Coptic community was when Professor Dr. Wedad Abbas addressed the General Assembly. She spoke elegantly and confidently about the Coptic people. The experience attending the WCC in South Korea can be likened to the message received in the Book of Revelation, “…from all tribes…from all nations…” coming together with different languages, culture, traditions and nationalities, all believing that Jesus Christ is Lord, God and Saviour, both clergy and laity, coming together for the Glory of God! The general Assembly went from 30 October to 6 Novermber 2013. By Fr Shenouda Mansour. The World Council of Churches 10th General Assembly was held in Busan, South Korea from October 30 to November 8, 2013. The Assembly is the highest governing body of the WCC and meets every seven years. The WCC was established at its 1st Assembly in Amsterdam, Netherlands (1948).Since then assemblies have been in held in Evanston, United States (1954); New Delhi, India (1961); Uppsala, Sweden (1968); Nairobi, Kenya (1975); Vancouver, Canada (1983); Canberra, Australia (1991); 4 The 10th General Assembly of the World Council of by Bishoy M. Mikhail Churches Harare, Zimbabwe (1998); and Porto Alegre, Brazil (2006). The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the founding members of the WCC, having joined in 1948. It should be noted that H.H. Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory served as one of the WCC Presidents from 19911998. The delegation to the Busan Assembly this year was named by H.H. Pope Shenouda just days before his departure in March 2012 and ratified by H.H. Pope Tawadros II following his enthronement. Members of the delegation included H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy, H.G. Bishop Antonios-Marcos, H.G. Bishop Youannes, H.G. Bishop David, H.G. Bishop Angaelos, H.G. Bishop Daniel, Fr. Shenouda Mansour, Fr. Yacoub Ghali, Fr. Basillios Hanna, Dr. Wedad Abbas, Mother Antonia St. Demiana, Mr. Guirguis Saleh, Dr. Ishak Agban, Mr. Ramy Farouk and myself. The theme of the 10th Assembly was “God of Life, lead us to justice and peace.” Discussions resulted in statements on: • The Politicization of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities • The Human Rights of Stateless People • The Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula • The Way to Just Peace • Affirming the Christian Presence and Witness in the Middle East • The Current Critical Situation of Abyei in South Sudan • Moving Towards a Nuclear-Free World Additionally, shorter documents, labeled Resolutions or Minutes were issued on: • A Minute on the Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo • A Minute on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide • A Resolution on Urging Improved U.S.-Cuba Relations and Lifting of Economic Sanctions • A Minute on Indigenous Peoples • A Minute on Climate Justice The General Assembly elected a new Presidium to represent the regions and Church Families. This term, the presidents are H.H. Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians (Oriental Orthodox Family), H.B. Patriarch John X of Antioch (Eastern Orthodox Family), Archbishop Anders Wejryd (Europe), Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Plaatjies van Huffel (Africa), Rev. Prof. Dr. Sang Chang (Asia), Rev. Gloria Nohemy Ulloa Alvarado (Latin America and Caribbean), Bishop Mark MacDonald (North America) and Rev. Dr. Mele’ana Puloka (Pacific). The new Central Committee was elected with H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy and H.G. Bishop Youannes representing the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is the custom of the Orthodox Churches to meet as one group at the WCC assemblies. In fact, the historic steps leading to the theological dialogue between the two families of Orthodoxy started as meetings of the delegates at WCC gatherings. This started with the unofficial consultations starting in 1964 and continued through Busan. Each meeting is co-chaired by a metropolitan from each family, by tradition, a metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and one of the Coptic Orthodox Church. This year was no exception, with the first meeting being held on November 1, 2013 in Busan, co-chaired by Metropolitan Gennady’s of Sassima and Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette. Once the floor was opened for remarks, I took the opportunity to address the delegates and Read on page 9 editor@elmanara.org.au 24th Hathor 1730 Copts’ News Establishment of New Churches in the Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions during the Period 2012 - 2013 1-St Mary & St Karas Coptic Orthodox Church – Port 2-St Peter & St Paul Coptic Orthodox Church – Illawarra Macquarie - NSW On the 2nd March 2013, His Grace Bishop Daniel officially On 3rd of March 2013 HG Bishop Daniel prayed the First Holy Mass commenced the service in Port Macquarie. The new church in St Peter & St Paul Coptic Orthodox Church – Illawarra. is named after St Mary & St Karas Coptic Orthodox Church . Accompanying His Grace Bishop Daniel is the Very Rev Fr Tadros Simon, the General Vicar of the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions, and the Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour, Parish priest of St Antonious & St Paul Parish at GUILDFORD 3- St Mary, St Anthony & St Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Orange- NSW On 30th of Marsh 2013 HG Bishop Daniel prayed the First Holy Mass in the New church of St Mary , St Anthony & St Paul Church in Orange together with Rev Fr Amonious El Anba Paula Parish priest of St John the Baptist & St Elijah the Prophet- Dubbo & Rev Fr Mark Bassilly Parish priest of St Mark - Arncliff . 4-St Mary & St George Coptic Orthodox Church – Townsville QLD On 13th of April 2013 HG Bishop Daniel prayed the First Holy Mass in the New church of St Mary, & St George Church in Townsville together with Very Reverend Father Augustinos Nada Parish priest of St Mark’s Church - Arncliff. 5- St Mary & St Kyrillos , the Pillar of Faith Coptic Orthodox 6- Pope Cyril VI & Archdeacon Habib Guirgis Coptic Orthodox church – Cairns - QLD Church –Ramsgate On 17th of May 2013 HG Bishop Daniel prayed the First Holy Mass in the New church of St Mary & St Kyrillos , the Pillar of Faith Coptic On 25th of August 2013 HG Bishop Daniel prayed the First Holy Orthodox church – Cairns – QLD together with Very Reverend Father Mass in the New church of Pope Cyril VI & Archdeacon Habib Augustinos Nada Parish priest of St Mark’s Church - Arncliffe Guirgis Church in Ramsgate. Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 5 24th November 2013 7- St Mary & St Moses the Strong Coptic Orthodox Church – Bundaberg - QLD HG Bishop Daniel blessed the Purchase of St Mary & St Moses the Strong Coptic Orthodox Church –Bundaberg - QLD 8-The Altar of Archangel Michail in Archangel Retreat house – Entrance – NSW HG Bishop Daniel blessed the purchase of Archangel Retreat House – Entrance – NSW 9- Consecration of the Altar of St George & Anba Makar in St Mary, St Bakhomious & St Shenouda Church - KIRRAWEE . On 17th of October 2013 HG Bishop Daniel, together with HG Bishop Agathon, Bishop of Brazil Consecrated the Altar St George & Anba Makar in St Mary, St Bakhomious & St Shenouda Church KIRRAWEE . We pray for their continual success in the Almighty Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Students spare ch$nge… Changing the lives of Coptic Orphans Tuesday 23th October 2013. Article By M. Nicola On Thursday 17th October, 2013, the students at St Mary and St Mina’s Coptic Orthodox College received a different type of lesson; a life changing one. Some high school students at the College are taking on extra-curricular activities, by volunteering their time to be part of a Social Welfare Group, which specifically looks at avenues where students can help the less fortunate, especially in Egypt. Over the past few months, students have had presentations from speakers from Voice of the Martyrs, raised hundreds of dollars to send to pastors in Nigeria, raised funds for Bibles for those who can’t access them, written letters to Christians in prison in Pakistan, signed petitions to change the Constitution in Egypt, and most recently had Coptic Orphans Sydney representatives Nevine Iskander and Amir Shehata come to the College. Nevine and Amir, came to the College to present to students a lesson that would truly leave them changed forever. After an 6 engaging and informative game that demonstrated to students the vast differences in living and working standards between Egyptian kids and Australia kids, the students were stunned by how tough and cruel life can truly be for Coptic Orphans. Following this, the students witnessed firsthand just how harsh this reality is, when they watched an emotional video about what Coptic orphans in Egypt experience on a daily basis. While there was great sadness and regret in some students minds, Nevine and Amir, quickly showed them signs of hope. Since the establishment of Coptic Orphans in 1988, Coptic Orphans has touched the lives of over 30,000 children in Egypt, one life at a time. Nevine explained, that while some people looked at the problem as impossible to fix, Coptic Orphans look at the problem ONE ISSUE AT A TIME. They have provided employment opportunities where needed, tuition for students, payed for students University placement, helped women get married, trained widowed women in a stable vocation, but, most importantly, connected the western world with the east. Countries like Australia, USA, Canada and UK can now personally change the lives of Coptic Orphans, one orphan at a time. And that was the lasting message that gave hope to students at St Mary’s and St Mina’s, that, with their spare change, they can change the lives of Coptic Orphans, one Orphan at a time. The students left their social lesson, reinvigorated, charged and ready to make a difference. They had kindly donated a cheque for $265 to Nevine and Amir to use towards a building project in the most needed areas in Egypt. They also left with a personal challenge by Coptic Orphans … to raise funds to build a roof for Marina’s house; a Coptic Orphan in Egypt; and to Pray unceasingly for all Coptic Orphans. Students will be doing various activities through this term to raise this money, as well praying and thinking about their fellow brothers and sisters in Egypt. We would like to thank Coptic Orphans, as well as Amir and Nevine, for taking the time to change the lives of students at St Mary and St Mina’s College, who in turn will try and change the lives of Coptic Orphans… one Orphan at a time. editor@elmanara.org.au Copts’ News 24th Hathor 1730 St Mary and St Mina’s Yr 5 and 6 Camp By Bishoy Ayad and Daniel Guirguis On the 28th of September 2013, years 5 and 6 went on a camp for the weekend. We attended the mass then at 8am began our adventure. We got onto the bus all excited and ready for fun. We were head counted and then we were off. In the bus we were talking about our favourite video games and toys. We arrived at our campsite called Wedderburn Christian Campsite at around 10am. We chose our cabin and unpacked until we were called into our meeting hall to discuss the rules. After our little meeting we had brunch which was provided by our very nice parents and servants. When we finished our brunch we began our first activity called the flying fox. It was so much fun and it was more fun as we had a competition - who had the most girlish scream. To our surprise most of the winners were boys. who we should follow and how we could be leaders. When the talk finished we had an activity called danger island where we played gross but fun games. When we finished we had our campfire with marshmallows. At the end of the night at our campfire we tried to make the fire as big as we could which was so much fun. We then went to our cabins where everyone wanted to sleep except my cabin where everyone but me wanted to stay awake. It took about an hour and a half for them to be quiet when I actually got to sleep. When I woke up it was about 6:15am and I asked one of the boy’s in my cabin to play with his cards then another boy followed him and then another one came until we couldn't move on my bed. When everyone woke up we had a beautiful breakfast which was milo cereal with corn flakes and some toast with butter. We then had lunch. After lunch we did archery. It was very hard Later on that day we played more as the arrow kept slipping out of basketball with our servants, we the bow. had some ice cream and then we went on the bus to make After archery we went to our our way back to church which cabins and changed into our I almost missed because I was swimming costume then we offered more ice cream. On the played in the pool for about bus we had a few talks about an hour and had a water fight. games and Christ. We also had a Later on we went to our cabins pillow fight in the back of the bus to change into our clothes so and then we finally got to church we could play basketball which where we met our parents that we finished playing at about 6 we missed very much and also o'clock. After that one of the our loved ones. servants gave us a lesson on Fulfilling our Promise to Marina… a Coptic Orphan Tuesday 12th November, 2013. Article by M. Nicola When Sydney’s Coptic Orphans representatives, Nevine Iskander and Amir Shehata last came to St Mary and St Mina’s College, they left the students of the Social Welfare Group with a challenge; to raise $285 to build a roof for Marina, a Coptic Orphan in Egypt. On Thursday 7th November, students at the College fulfilled that promise and more. Students organised a waffle, pancake and organic juice day, where students donated all the materials necessary to make and sell delicious waffles, pancakes and organic juice, in the hope of raise the money needed to build Marina a roof for her one bedroom home. After cooking and selling every last waffle and pancake and slurping every juice, the students were ecstatic to learn that they had collected $370. With their Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions previous donations, that made a suffering of their disadvantaged grand total of $643! brothers and sisters in Egypt and helping them to truly live With that amount, students the verse, “I was hungry and didn’t just help build one roof you gave Me food; I was thirsty for Marina’s house, but raised and you gave Me drink; I was enough to build another roof a stranger and you took Me in; for another Coptic Orphan and 36 I was naked and you clothed a little to spare for other needs Me; I was sick and you visited Students were also lucky to have Me; I was in prison and you Japanese students on exchange came to Me”. Matt 25:35 – 36. for a cultural experience that day, which added to If you would like to personally the value of the experience. donate your time or money to any similar cause, whether By continuously immersing through the College or straight the students at St Mary and St through with Coptic Orphans, Mina’s in these events, students please don’t hesitate to contact are growing to realise just how the College at 9597 4833 or lucky they are as citizens in email Mary Nicola at m.nicola@ Australia and to be Christians in stmary.nsw.edu.au or directly at a protected country like this. It is the Coptic Orphans website at also allowing them to share in the http://www.copticorphans.org/ . Annual Celebration for St. COSMAN & St. DEMIAN & The Feast of the Consecration of the Church St Mary & St Mina’s Cathedral, Bexley, invites the Doctors, Pharmacists, others in the medical profession & all the beloved of St Cosman & St Demian the physicians to attend its annual dinner in commemoration of the feasts of the physicians St Cosman & St Demian and the 11th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Mary & St Mina’s Cathedral, Bexley by the hand of the triple Thrice H H Pope Shenouda III Venue: St Mary’s College Hall Vesper: 6:pm 6:00 pm Dinner: 7:pm 7:30 pm When: Saturday 30th November 2013 Cost: $50 RSVP: Limited places, book your ticket by 16 / 11 / 2013 Mob 0413 531 761 In loving memory of Manal Botros It is very difficult without you by our side, but your sweet memory is never far from our hearts. Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36 Rest in peace our precious Manal, until we meet again. 1st November, 1963 – 1st December, 2011. 7 24th November 2013 St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox College Valedictory Liturgy and Parent Luncheon On the last Friday of Theot- 12 Parents. It was a wonderful the Liturgy and at the Luncheon, the school of their choice.The okos Term the College held the event where the parents with the parents were honoured for parents had the opportunity to Valedictory Luncheon for Year their children prayed together in selecting St Mark’s College as receive an award and to hear the words of appreciation from their child. The Office Bearers delivered outstanding addresses and touched all those who were in attendance. Mrs Maha Ramzy replied eloquently with her address on behalf of the parents and Mrs Vaitsas as the Year 12 Mr El-Orabi visited the College and spoke to our students about the plight of the citizens in Egypt and how lucky we are as a community to live in a country like Australia. In the past Mr El- Patron, spoke about her experiences with Year 12 with great sincerity and warmth. In all, it was a family atmosphere and an emotional event. On behalf of the College I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the Year 12 Parents for making St Mark’s the school of their choice and for giving us the opportunity to contribute to the spiritual, social and academic life of their children. God bless you and I thank you for being such caring and loving parents. The College has been Mr El-Orabi Visits St Mark’s College Orabi was the Foreign Minister for Egypt and he mentioned what the role entailed. He has thirty five (35) years experience in the diplomatic service and it was an honour to have him at the College. Mr El-Orabi was overawed by the respect and attention that he received from the students and was highly appreciative of the College Community. I would enriched with the presence of your children and your influence upon them. On behalf of the College Community we wish Year 12 the very best for the HSC Examinations. like to thank Mr El-Orabi for his attendance and to the Australian Egyptian Council Forum for organising his visit. Bishop Antonios Morcos Visits St Mark’s College His Grace Bishop Antonios Morcos visited the College and addressed the students at a special assembly. His role and title is the Bishop for African Affairs and he spoke to the students about helping the poor and the needy of Africa and how we can all play a role in changing their lives. He was impressed with Nadine Nada (12SG) who introduced Him to the students and mentioned her recent visit schedule to be with us. God to Africa to do missionary work. bless Him for all His good work I would like to extend our with the people of Africa. sincerest appreciation and gratitude to His Grace for Mr Rekouniotis making the time from His busy Head of College St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox College ‘To Live Is Christ’ Enrolling Now for 2014 Kindergarten to Year 11 Contact Mrs Sidhom on 9825 6768 A Message from St Shenouda Monastery- Sydney Australia. Good News. A New Land for St Shenouda Monastery. Dear Brethren, We lift our hearts with praises to God for granting us with a new Land (Lot 5) located just opposite to Car Parking Area (opposite to Lot 9) which is very handy/closer to the Monastery. A Land of 8 25 Acres consists of a beautiful double story House and a big workshop. This Land with its surrounding is necessary to allow for the Privacy of the Monks. This new Land will enable the Monastery to expand and do many activities for our large Community. We paid already the deposit and in need of $200,000.00 by the end of December 2013. We need all your support for buying the Land as well as starting the new Project. You can donate directly to: “The Coptic Orthodox St.Shenouda Monastery Trust”. Westpac Bank: “BSB:032274, A/C: 264333”. May Our Gracious Lord Jesus Christ reward you All with the Heavenly Rewards. Amen. Bishop Anba Daniel. 6/11/2013. editor@elmanara.org.au Copts’ News 24th Hathor 1730 The 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches Continued was recognized to make the first comments. I started by congratulating three of our patriarchs for their enthronement anniversaries in the month of November: H.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (November 2, 1991), H.H. Catholicos Karekin II (November 4, 1999) and H.H. Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria (November 18, 2012). I then noted a bittersweet anniversary, namely 20 years since the last meeting of both families of Orthodoxy in Chambery, Switzerland. It was 20 years to the date, November 1, 1993 when the joint commission issued its Proposals for Lifting Anathemas. This was a followup to the Agreed Statements of 1989 and 1990. I called on the delegates and the churches not to give up on the remarkable progress of our dialogue, which reached the conclusions that both families have loyally maintained the authentic Orthodox Christological faith and that the anathemas on councils and fathers previously condemned should be lifted. I took this opportunity to ask for new efforts to continue the dialogue to fruition. The subsequent remarks from by Bishoy M. Mikhail theologians and clergy all led to a positive reception of the comments and a desire to restart the process. H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy, who is co-chairman of the dialogue made a recommendation that a solution could be an invitation from the Ecumenical Patriarch to convene the joint commission in Chambesy to address any concerns of each church, not to restart the dialogue, but to openly address any and all concerns in an effort to resolve or answer any outstanding questions. H.E. Metropolitan Gennadios promised to take the suggestions and concerns to H.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his input and attention. The 10th General Assembly was once again an opportunity for the 345 member churches, representing over 500 million Christians from 110 countries to gather in prayer and conversations. It is an opportunity to share our rich heritage and traditions as one of the oldest churches in the world, as well as a chance to learn more about Christians from around the world of different backgrounds and traditions. PROGRAMME FOR THE VISIT OF HIS GRACE BISHOP RAFAIEL General Bishop for Mid Cairo Churches & Secretary of the Holy Synod 23RD OF November 2013– 3RD OF December 2013 Day Date Saturday 23/11/2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday AM 24/11/2013 25/11/2013 26/11/2013 27/11/2013 Thursday 28/11/2013 Tuesday 03/12/2013 Service 9:00 Holy Mass St. Mary & St Mina Cathedral – BEXLEY 8:30 Holy Mass, & Priests’ Conference Anba Abraam Church – Long Point PM Service 10:30 Arrival EK414 3:30 7:00 St Mark’s Festival General Meeting & Tasbiha Archangel Michael &St Bishoy Church Mount Druitt 7:00 General Youth Meeting St Antonious & St Paul Church – Guildford 7:30 General Youth Servants & SS Servants Meeting St Mary & St Mercurius - Abou Sefein Church Rhodes 8:30 Holy Mass & Priests’ Seminar – Church Rites St Mark’s Church ARNCLIFFE 6:30 Visiting St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery –Putty 9:00 Holy Mass St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery - Putty 5:15 Travel to Melbourne by QF451 10:25 Travel to Cairo from Melbourne By EK407 11:00 Visitation تدعـو لجـنة البـر بسـيدنى جـميع افراد الشـعب المحب للمسـيح "لحضور حفلهـا الســنوى "ترانيـم على اضـواء الشـموع The Twelfth Anniversary of calling heaven home of the Sweet Angel Geraldine Megahid, the wife of William Megahid, will be held during the holy mass of Sunday the 8th of December 2013 at St George Church at Kensington, Sydney. My Dearest Gerry, I miss you very much and miss your lovely smile, I hope that our loving father and Lord Jesus will let me join you in heaven, so we will be forever together. Darling, you are now enjoying eternal peace, glory and happiness, and the company of the angels and saints. You never stopped supporting, blessing us and praying for and with us. Darling you are and will remain in my heart until we meet again, I enjoy your company. God Bless You Darling. SEE YOU SOON IN HEAVEN Thank you for having me as your Husband William Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 3102 ديســمبر8 الذى سـيقـام يـوم االحـد المـوافق فى تمام السـاعة السـادسـة مسـاءا بقاعـة The Orion Centre 155 Beamish Street, Campsie و التذاكـر متوفـرة فى جـميع الكنائس و يمكن شـرائها على البـاب تـعـال و ادعـو االخـرين ليشـاركونا افـراح عيد الميــالد المجيــد الـرب يعـوض محبتـكم و كـل عـام و انتـم بخيـر The Needy Christian Fund, Sydney Invite you to the annual “Carols by Candle Light” On Sunday 8 December 2013 at 6.00pm At the Orion Centre, 155 Beamish St, Campsie Tickets are available in all churches and for sale at door Come and enjoy the celebration of Jesus’ Birth Have a happy and blessed Christmas 9 24th November 2013 When tomorrow starts without me, and Iam not there to see. If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we never got to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you...And each time that you think of me, I know you will miss me too... But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand... An angle came and called my name and took me by the hand, and that I’d have to leave behind those things I dearly love... But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eyes. For all of life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad. I thought of all the love we shared and how much fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I’d say goodbye, then kiss you till I saw that special smile... But then I fully realized, that it could never be, cause emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of all those things I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow... But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me from Hid great and golden throne He said “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you. Today your life on Earth is past, but here it starts a new. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last and since each day is the same, there’s no longing from the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true, though there were sometimes you did some things you shouldn’t do... But you have been forgiven, and now at last you’re free. So come and take me by the hand and share My life with Me..” So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’ll be right there in your Heart....! R.I.P Joseph Gilada Raca! by Peter Chrysologos And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire (Mt 5:22) But whoever says, “Raca!” to his brother will be liable to the council . “Raca, “ brothers, is not a word but an expression of mockery and an insult which customarily arises from the winking of the eyes, or the twitching of the nose, or the clearing of the throat, in such a way that one’s will provides the affront while the substance of the insult is not revealed.” But God, who observes our wills, sees our desires, and judges our expressions, forces the one who mocks his brother to face judgment before the council of the 10 saints, since the ridicule leveled at just one has brought insult to all, and the condition of a member extends to the whole body, and the body’s pain reaches the head.” Thus whatever ridicule a person has inflicted upon one individual, upon a brother, the mocker will notice and lament that it has made its way right into the heavenly council and up to God. But whoever says, “You buffoon!” will be liable to the fire of Gehenna (V.22). What the angry person concealed in his breast, and what the mocker kept shut within his throat, the foulmouthed person expressed with his voice, and, since the affront is uttered in the open, is assigned to the fire of Gehenna. For hidden faults, the judgment is determined by the sentence of the Savior, so that the justice of the We are pleased to announce that the Annual Family Conference of the Diocese of Sydney will be held at: Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort http://www.wslr.com.au FromThursday 1 May 2014 at 2:00 PM to Sunday 4 May 2014. Rooms will be available for booking with church representatives of the conference committee from Sunday 1 December 2013. judgment may be established by virtue of an examination of the circumstances; but a sin in the open has an obvious and fixed punishment. But perhaps someone says: how is it that something that is spoken has such great force, that the one who says: You buffoon! to his brother is condemned to the worst penalty? It has such great force, brothers, it has such great force, because Christ is in the brother, and Christ is the Wisdom of God.? Therefore, whoever says: You buffoon! to his brother has called the Wisdom of God a buffoon ... To these remarks the listener will reply: “So who will be able to be saved?” Who, brothers? The one, of course, who is sinless in his heart and in his tongue. Listen to what the prophet says: “Lord, who will dwell in your tent, or who will rest on your holy mountain?” Continued Page 12 editor@elmanara.org.au Copts’ News 24th Hathor 1730 “The righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43 ) Colonel Naguib Iskander Ibrahim (19/10/1915 – 05/11/2013) Departed to the heavenly joy on 05/11/2013 and awaiting the resurrection of life : The beloved father, grand-father and great-grandfather: The husband of the beloved late Mrs Helena Hemaya Ibrahim, father of Dr Samy Iskander husband of Dr Nagat Iskander, father of Mrs Viola Farah wife of the late Dr Boshra Farah, father of Mr Samir Naguib husband of Mrs Seham, father of Mrs Mervat Farah wife of Mr Zakaria Farah, grandfather of Mrs Ann Hanna wife of Mr Richard Hanna, grand-father of Maria in Jerusalem, grand-father of Dr Sami Farah, grand-father of Mr George Farah husband of Mrs Lydia Farah, grand-father of Miss Rafy Farah, grand-father of Mr Simon Farah, great-grand-father of Timothy, Marianne, Gloria and Danielle Hanna. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all those who offered their condolences, prayers and support. We also thank HH Pope Tawadros II, HG Bishop Daniel of Sydney and HE Metropolitan Abraham of Jerusalem for their prayers and condolences. We also thank all our fathers the priests who partook in the funeral prayers on 11/11/2013 with a special thanks to the beloved priests of St George Church, Kensington and St Mary and St Mina Cathedral, Bexley for their prayers and support. The Forty-Day Requiem Holy Liturgy will be prayed on Sunday 15/12/2013 at St George Coptic Orthodox Church Kensington, Sydney. Beloved Gedo Naguib, we miss you very much. You were the blessing in our midst and a source of peace to all of us. The treasured memories we have together will never part our minds. You were a living Bible and a great example of love, kindness, humility, faithfulness and the love of praise and the saints. You loved everyone and everyone loved you. You had the sweet aroma of the Lord Jesus. You accepted sickness and pain with thanksgiving and patience and were granted a place with the saints and angels in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Please remember us in front of the throne of grace until we meet again. With love from your children, grand-children and great-grand-children. )43 :13 حينئذ يضئ االبرار كالشمس في ملكوت أبيهم (مت أنتقل لألمجاد السمائية علي رجاء القيامة . نجيب إسكندر ابراهيم/الوالد الحبيب العقيد 2013 /11 /5 --- 1915 /10 /19 ســمير. فيــوال فــرح زوجــة المرحــوم الدكتــور بشــري فــرح وم. نجــاة وم. ســامي إســكندر وزوجتــه د.زوج المرحومــة الوالــدة الحبيبــة هيالنــة حمايــة إبراهيــم ووالــد د زكريــا فــرح وجــد كل مــن الصيدالنيــة آن وزوجهــا ريتشــارد حنــا بنقابــة المهندســين وماريــا.نجيــب وزوجتــه المحاســبة ســهام والمحاســبة مرفــت فــرح وزوجهــا م . ليديــا والمحاســبة رافــي فــرح وســيمون فــرح بالجامعــة وتيمــي وماريــان وجلوريــه ودانيلــه. جــورج فــرح وزوجتــه م. ســامي فــرح وم.بأورشــليم ود االســرة تشــكر جميــع مــن تفضلــوا بتقديــم واجــب العــزاء وتخــص بالشــكر قداســة البابــا المعظــم االنبــا تاوضــروس الثانــي ونيافــة الحبــر الجليــل االنبــا دانيــال أســقف وجميــع االبــاء الكهنــة الذيــن شــاركوا فــي الصــالة وتتقــدم بشــكر خــاص لألبــاء.ســيدني وتوابعهــا ونيافــة الحبــر الجليــل االنبــا إبراهــام مطــران القــدس والشــرق االدنــي .كهنــة الشــهيد العظيــم مارجرجــس بكنســجتون واألبــاء كهنــة كنيســة الســيدة العــذراء مريــم ببكســلي الذيــن الزمــوا وســاندوا االســرة أثنــاء القــداس األلهــي الســاعة الثامنــة والنصــف بكنيســة الشــهيد العظيــم2013 -12 -15 وتقيــم األســرة ذكــري االربعيــن لروحــه الطاهــرة يــوم االحــد الموافــق .مارجرجــس بكنســجتون بســيدني -:آحب من لنا في الوجود بابا نجيب ومثــاالً فــي المحبــة، كنــت أنجي ـالً مقــرؤاً ومســموعا ً للــكل.. ... ذكــراك العطــرة التفارقنــا... كنــت البركــة والفرحــة فــي وســطنا وســالما ً يهدينــا.. .. وحشــتنا يابابــا كنــا نشــتم فيــك رائحــة المســيح الذكيــة فهنيئــا لــك. أحببــت الــكل فأحبــك الــكل.. .. .والوداعــة واألتضــاع والوفــاء ومحبــة الصــالة والتســبيح والعشــرة مــع القديســين .الوجــود فــي حضرتــه وهنيئــا لــك المجــد واالكاليــل التــي تســتحقها علــي جهــادك وتقبلــك كل األالم بأبتســامة هادئــة شــاكرة ...... أذكرنا أمام عرش النعمة حتي نلقاك ....... أوالدك وأحفادك وأوالد أحفادك Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 11 24th November 2013 H S C G R A D UAT E S Christina and Marcus Ghabriel. Uncle of Lillian Ghabriel, wife of Dr. Maged Ghabriel and Uncle to Aghathon Hanna. Brotherin-law of Yvonne Tadros, wife of Tadros Tadros and Irini Gozman, wife of the late Fawzi Gozman and Deacon Bahgat Hilmi husband of Georgette Hilmi. C RU I S E A S P L A S H Huddled together from the unfortunate rain, 2013 HSC Graduates from various parishes gathered at the Huntley’s Point ferry wharf for the inaugural COYA & FOCUS HSC Graduates Cruise. Excitement and anticipation was in the air as they waited for the John Cadman III to dock. Even before they got on board new friendships were being made. Once on board, the graduates filled the air with laughter and flashes from cameras. There was even a group of the youth immediately showing their COYA Spirit posing for a “YMCA” Style photo spelling out C-O-Y-A with their arms. We were blessed by the attendance of Fr Bassilious Gad, Fr Youssef Fanous and Fr Bishoy Botros. Fr Youssef gave the graduates an encouraging contemplation about keeping their Christian integrity and beliefs as they tertiary studies and the big wide world! He emphasised the importance of striving to be ambassadors for Christ and to be the shining example of His way. Then came the Buffet Dinner! The youth were invited to a satisfying spread of Breads, Salads, Prawns, Chicken, Veges…not to mention the steady supply of soft drink! The all ate and were filled (no pun intended) and so the best way to begin the digestion process was to get up and pose for more photos and brave the light rain to view the beautiful Sydney Harbour from the top deck of the ship. With the microphone unattended on the middle deck, soon the COYA and FOCUS servants heard and witnessed the singing and musical talents of the 12 youth as each was coaxed by their friends to brave the public stage and display their musical abilities. A spontaneous Ice breaker then broke out and we learnt more about each other; what parishes we are all from, our future ambitions as well as the Apple and Android followers amongst us. Laughter and smiles all round! As the John Cadman III approached the wharf for disembarkation, the youth gathered once again so that COYA and FOCUS can present to them the 2014 plans for these services and what the HSC graduates can expect; fun events and more opportunities to gather together in the spirit of fellowship with their brothers and sisters from all the parishes across the diocese. Unfortunately, at 9:30pm, the docking of the John Cadman III at Huntleys Point wharf signalled the end of an awesome cruise. The youth reluctantly filed off the b oat, quickly exchanging phone numbers and social media information to ensure the new faces they met and enjoyed a wonderful night will continue to be in contact in the months and years to come. COYA and FOCUS thank God first for blessing this event. We also thank our beloved Fathers for attended with us. Many thanks go to the COYA and FOCUS servants who toiled to make the night the success it was. However, the biggest thanks goes to each and every one of the HSC Graduates who attended the cruise and made it the memorable night it was…we look forward to seeing you at all the future events. GOD BLESS, COYA & FOCUS. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7) Deacon Emile Mikhail Hanna peacefully returned to the arms of our loving Lord, Jesus Christ God and Saviour on 12/11/13. The funeral service was held at St. Antonious and St. Paul's Church, Guildford on Friday 15/11/13. He was the loving uncle of Rev. Fr. Suriel Hanna and his wife Val Hanna. Emile was the husband of the late Eugenie Hanna, the nephew of the late Zakaria Geries and family, Michael Geries and family, his brother Alfred Mikhail Hanna - husband of Mary Hanna, his sister Widad Hanna, wife of late Joseph Daniel, his sister Yvonne Hanna, wife of the late Samir Attia. His daughter Diana Nosir, wife of Dr. Mourad Nosir and their children - Daniel, Matthew, Andrew, Maree and Julie. His daughter Rosemary Hanna and her children - On behalf of the family, we would like to sincerely thank H.H. Pope Tawadrous, H.E. Metropolitan Bakhomious (Bohaira), H.G. Bishop Daniel (Diocese of Sydney and its affiliated regions), H.G. Bishop Aghathon (Brazil) and Bishop Daniel (St. Shenouda Monastery)and to the council of Priests for the diocese of Sydney. We also extend our appreciation to Rev. Fr. Serapim Sidaros (St. Mary and St. Bishoy, Adelaide). To all our beloved monks from St. Shenouda Monastery and to the deacons who attended his funeral. Furthermore, we would like to thank everyone who visited him both at home and in hospital. We extend an invitation to all our beloved family and friends to attend his 40th day remembrance mass on Saturday 14/12/2013 at St. Antonious and St. Paul's church, Guildford from 8.00 am - 10.30 am. The family will be happy for you to join us after the mass in order to remember, and celebrate the life of a loving brother, father, grandfather and friend - Emile Mikhail Hanna. Continued from 10 The answer is: “The one who speaks the truth in his heart, and has uttered no deceit with his tongue.” The abuse that flows from the tongue is by no means inconsequential, brothers; for it is the tongue that makes the martyr, the tongue that furnishes the crown of martyrdom; it is also the tongue that makes the blasphemer, the tongue that casts one down to destruction through denial. editor@elmanara.org.au