Egypt Daily News – Coptic Orthodox Christians recently flocked to the St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbasiya to celebrate the Great Easter Feast, where His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, is leading the prayers.
The grand church attached to the cathedral is decorated with flowers and resurrection icons spread throughout its halls, while deacons chant the hymns special to this blessed occasion.
The Easter Vigil Mass is considered one of the most significant religious events celebrated by the Coptic Orthodox Church and is the culmination of the Great Lent period preceding the feast.
Pope Tawadros II sent his Easter greetings to his followers in Egypt and abroad through his annual papal message, which has been translated into 26 different languages to accommodate the wide range of countries and languages spoken by members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The Pope stated that on the Great Easter Feast, we celebrate God’s work with us, as He granted us a threefold blessing through His resurrection—love, grace, and fellowship, emphasizing that the resurrection is a great power.
He added that it is fortunate that this year we celebrate the Easter Feast together, as all Christians around the world celebrate it on the same day. He also noted, “It is beautiful that this year we also celebrate the 17th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which established the Nicene Creed, declaring our belief in one God. I congratulate all the Coptic churches.”
He continued, “I congratulate everyone who works and serves, and I convey to you the love of the mother church in Egypt for all our churches in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Jerusalem See, Asia, and Australia. I wish you a blessed feast, a resurrection with Christ, and lasting joy in all of life.”
