Egypt Daily News – Pope Tawadros II bids farewell to Bishop Pachomius who left an unforgettable mark on the Coptic Church. Since the announcement of the death of Bishop Pachomius, the Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, and the acting patriarch, sadness has overwhelmed the Coptic Orthodox Church. The late Bishop Pachomius was considered one of its pillars and one of the prominent figures in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Bishop Pachomius, the Metropolitan of Beheira, had a profound influence on the religious and administrative life of the Church. He was described as humble, devout, and deeply committed to spiritual education and the administrative development of the Church.
Bishop Pachomius became the Metropolitan of Beheira and Matrouh in 2012 after the passing of Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Patriarch. At that time, he held the position of acting patriarch. His leadership period was marked by many challenges faced by the Church, including the political and social situations in Egypt. He played a significant role in maintaining the unity of the Church during those difficult times, especially after the death of Pope Shenouda III.
Who is Bishop Pachomius?
The venerable father, the late Bishop Pachomius, was born on December 17, 1935, and he became a monk at the Monastery of the Syrians in Wadi El-Natrun, taking the name Monk Antonios the Syrian on November 11, 1962. He was consecrated as a bishop on December 12, 1971, alongside the late Bishop Yoannis, the former Metropolitan of Gharbia. These were among the first consecrations performed by the late Pope Shenouda III less than a month after his enthronement as the Patriarch of Alexandria. Bishop Pachomius was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan on September 2, 1990. He also served as acting patriarch for eight months (from March 22 to November 18, 2012) after being chosen to lead the Coptic Orthodox Church during a critical period, earning widespread praise for his wisdom and leadership both inside Egypt and abroad.
Announcement of his death
The Coptic Orthodox Church announced his death on the morning of the previous day, saying: “The death of the revered Bishop Pachomius, the Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, and the acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, after a life full of service to the Church and the nation, at the age of nearly 90 years. He served the Church for over 70 years as a servant, deacon, monk, bishop, and metropolitan, including approximately 54 years of episcopal care.” They also announced the arrangements for the funeral prayers.
Funeral Prayers: Church Leaders Join the Pope in Saying Goodbye to His Father
At 3 p.m. yesterday, the funeral prayers for the late Bishop Pachomius took place at the Cathedral. Pope Tawadros II led the prayers, accompanied by a number of bishops, priests from the Diocese of Beheira, monks of the Monastery of St. Makarios, and a large number of priests from the Egyptian Orthodox Church. The cathedral was filled with mourners.
The Governor of Beheira, Dr. Jacqueline Azar, attended the funeral prayers, along with several public figures from various sectors of society. The leaders of other Christian denominations also attended, including Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholics, Bishop Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of Alexandria for the Anglican Church, and Bishop George Shehan, the Maronite Archbishop for Egypt and Sudan.
Pope Accompanies the Body to Damanhour
After the funeral service at the Cathedral, the body of the late Bishop Pachomius was taken to Damanhour. Pope Tawadros II and Dr. Jacqueline Azar led the procession, and the clergy of the diocese insisted on carrying the body from the car to the church on their shoulders, walking through crowds of people from the diocese until they reached the Church of the Heavenly Ones, where they placed the body in front of the altar, allowing for a final farewell.
Pope Tawadros II Leads Divine Liturgy Before Burial
On the morning of the following day, Pope Tawadros II led the Divine Liturgy in the presence of the body of the Metropolitan of Beheira, followed by the funeral prayers at the Church of St. Mark in Damanhour. The body was then transferred to the Monastery of St. Makarios in the Qalali Mountains for the final burial rites.
Churches Bid Farewell to the Acting Patriarch
The Christian churches mourned the passing of Bishop Pachomius, the Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, and the acting patriarch.
Bishop Ashod Manatskanian, the Armenian Orthodox Metropolitan of Egypt, expressed his condolences to Pope Tawadros II, saying, “We bid farewell with great sorrow, but with hope in the resurrection, the late Bishop Pachomius, who served the Church and the nation for 70 years and was a shining example of faithfulness, sincerity, and deep spiritual teachings.”
The Evangelical denomination also expressed its condolences in a statement, saying, “With hearts full of faith in the resurrection and feelings of sorrow, the Evangelical Church in Egypt, headed by Dr. Andre Zaki, mourns the passing of Bishop Pachomius, a man who was known for his wisdom, love, and dedication to service.”
Archbishop Sami Fawzy, the Archbishop of Alexandria for the Anglican Church, also sent his heartfelt condolences to Pope Tawadros II, expressing his admiration for Bishop Pachomius’s faithful service and praying for God’s comfort for the Church.
Egypt Daily News send its deepest condolences to the Orthodox Church of Egypt.
