Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Saturday at the historic St Mark’s Basilica, home to the relics of Saint Mark the Apostle, the evangelist who brought Christianity to Egypt and laid the foundations of the Church of Alexandria in one of the most powerful symbols linking Egypt’s Christian heritage with Europe.
The prayers were attended by metropolitans and bishops representing dioceses of the Coptic Orthodox Church across Europe, the United States, and Australia, alongside members of the Holy Synod’s secretariat, in a deeply symbolic ceremony held inside the centuries-old basilica in Venice.
In an emotional sermon, Pope Tawadros reflected on four major saints commemorated during the month of May, beginning with Saint George, whose martyrdom is remembered on May 1 and who remains one of the most revered figures in the Coptic Orthodox tradition.
The pope also spoke extensively about Saint Mark the Apostle, commemorated on May 8, describing him as the spiritual father of the Coptic Church. He noted that Saint Mark came from Libya before arriving in Alexandria, where he was later martyred, making Egypt the first nation in Africa to embrace Christianity.
Pope Tawadros described Saint Mark as the first patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church and one of the defining figures in Egypt’s Christian identity, emphasizing that his mission transformed Alexandria into one of the world’s earliest centers of Christian theology and scholarship.
The sermon also highlighted Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, commemorated on May 15, praising his historic role in defending Christian doctrine against the Arian heresy during one of Christianity’s most turbulent theological battles.
Pope Tawadros noted that part of Saint Athanasius’s relics is currently preserved at St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral after being gifted by the Catholic Church to the Coptic Orthodox Church in a landmark gesture symbolizing growing ties between the two churches.
He also referred to Saint Demiana, describing her as a timeless symbol of purity, gentleness, and unwavering faith whose devotion ultimately led her father back to Christianity after he had renounced it under pressure.
“These four examples of sainthood affirm that holiness is attainable for all,” Pope Tawadros said, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and committed to Christian teachings despite modern-day challenges.
The historic bond between Venice and Saint Mark the Apostle dates back to 828 AD, when Venetian merchants transported the saint’s relics from Alexandria to Venice. A magnificent church was later built in his honor, eventually becoming the iconic St Mark’s Basilica. Over the centuries, Saint Mark became the patron saint of Venice, while the winged lion his traditional symbol evolved into the enduring emblem of the city itself.
