Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, inaugurated the sixth conference of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on Friday at the Logos Center in the Papal Residence of St. Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El-Natrun. The gathering, hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church, brings together 500 participants representing 100 countries.
The opening session featured addresses by Pope Tawadros II, senior leaders of the WCC, and heads and representatives of member churches from across the globe. Among the attendees was Dr. Jacqueline Azar, Governor of Beheira, reflecting the Egyptian government’s support for interfaith and international dialogue.
In his welcoming remarks, Pope Tawadros expressed his joy in hosting the global Christian gathering on Egyptian soil, emphasizing the country’s historic and spiritual role in the evolution of Christianity.
“I welcome you all to Egypt, to the Logos Conference Center, in this sacred place at the Monastery of St. Bishoy in the holy wilderness of Scetis Wadi El-Natrun which has been a beacon and inspiration for monastic life since the fourth century,” the Pope said.
He invited delegates to explore Egypt’s deep Christian heritage, describing it as “the land of St. Mark’s evangelism,” where the Christian faith took root in the earliest centuries.
“I invite you to get to know our beloved Egypt, the land of the Coptic Church, which embraced the Christian faith since the dawn of history, witnessed the birth of monasticism, and became a center of theology and spirituality,” he said. “With its ancient civilization and enduring faith, Egypt continues to offer the world a living testimony of steadfast belief and universal love.”
Pope Tawadros added that hosting the WCC’s sixth conference in Egypt was both a privilege and a symbol of unity: “It is a source of pride and joy to welcome you all to our Coptic Church and to our homeland, Egypt, which today is honored to host this important event in the journey of the World Council of Churches.”
Concluding his speech, the Pope underlined the significance of the meeting in promoting dialogue and unity among Christian denominations: “Our gathering here stands as a shining sign that Egypt, together with the Middle East and Africa, continues to be a living bridge between churches, a place that carries a message of hope and unity before the eyes of the entire Christian world.”
The World Council of Churches conference in Egypt is seen as a milestone in ecumenical relations, highlighting the Coptic Orthodox Church’s role as a cornerstone of global Christianity and a bridge between Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
