Please pray for Coptic Christians as Egypt moves down the Sharia road

Morsi’s Egypt: More power, more persecution

Christian human-rights analysts warn the expanded powers seized by Egypt’s president means more anti-Christian persecution to come.

In a set of legal maneuvers this week, Muslim Brotherhood-anointed President Mohamed Morsi moved to sidestep the courts and make his office immune to judicial oversight. With no constitution to restrain him, Morsi holds broad executive and legislative authority.

Middle East analyst Theodore Shoebat’s concern is what Morsi’s power grab means for Egypt’s Christians. He references two regimes – one ancient, one modern – to illustrate what happens when leaders opposed to Christianity take control.

“Before Nero inflicted a full persecution on the church, he at first seized full control of the Roman government,” Shoebat said.

“In order for us to comprehend how Christians will be eventually persecuted under a Muslim Brotherhood Egypt, we must look to North Sudan, a country also run by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Omar al-Bashir,” he continued.

“Bashir has committed a genocide of millions of Christians all in the name of jihad. And he, like Morsi, also believes that the Quran must be the constitution of his country,” Shoebat said.

Shoebat said he sees no reason to believe Morsi will not follow the model of both Nero and al-Bashir.

“The same will happen in Egypt. Continue reading “Please pray for Coptic Christians as Egypt moves down the Sharia road” →

BBC- Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros enthroned in Cairo

Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II enthroned in Cairo

The new pope of Egypt’s Coptic Christian church has been formally enthroned in Cairo.

Pope Tawadros II was confirmed as the new leader of Egypt’s Christian minority at a ceremony at St Mark’s cathedral in the Egyptian capital.

The 60-year-old succeeds Pope Shenouda III, who died in March after four decades on the patriarchal throne.

The enthronement comes at an uncertain time for Egypt’s Christians, following the fall of Hosni Mubarak last year.

Sectarian attacks against Coptic Christians and churches in Egypt have increased since his fall, and many Christians are concerned about the rise of Islamist political forces.

Christians make up 5-10% of Egypt’s majority Sunni Muslim population and form the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.

Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Mursi did not attend Sunday’s enthronement, though Prime Minister Hisham Qandil was there.

Please pray for: Bishop Tawadros new pope of Egypt’s Coptic Christians | BBC

Peanut Gallery: Please pray for Bishop Tawadros who has been chosen the new pope of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, becoming leader of the largest Christian minority in the Middle East… to be enthroned in a ceremony on November 18.

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2.1-3 NKJV

Watch the moment in the ceremony when a blindfolded boy picked the name out of a bowl –

Bishop Tawadros has been chosen as the new pope of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, becoming leader of the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.

His name was selected from a glass bowl by a blindfolded boy at a ceremony in Cairo’s St Mark’s Cathedral. Three candidates had been shortlisted.

The 60-year-old succeeds Pope Shenouda III, who died in March aged 88.

He succeeds as attacks on Copts are on the increase, and many say they fear the country’s new Islamist leaders.

The other two candidates were Bishop Raphael and Father Raphael Ava Mina. They were chosen in a ballot by a council of some 2,400 Church and community officials in October.

Bishop Tawadros has studied in Britain

In God’s hands

Their names were written on pieces of paper and put in crystal balls sealed with wax on the church altar.

A blindfolded boy – one of 12 shortlisted children – then drew out the name of Bishop Tawadros, who until now was an aide to the acting leader, Bishop Pachomius.

Bishop Pachomius then took the ballot from the boy’s hand and showed it to all those gathered in the cathedral.

Strict measures were in place to make sure there was no foul play during the televised ceremony: the three pieces of paper with candidates’ names were all the same size and tied the same way.

Copts say this process ensures the selection is in God’s hands.

Bishop Tawadros will be enthroned in a ceremony on 18 November.

Continue reading the main story

More on: Choosing a New Coptic Pope » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog

Peanut Gallery: I confess, I’m fascinated by the papal selection process of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It’s not so much the candidate vetting to narrow the final choices down to three. It’s the God-directed final selection by lot at the hand of a random child that I find both amazing and inspiring.

It’s so unlike the political lobbying and manuevering that I’ve witnessed in the church over the years. And this selection is so much more important in the total scheme of things… given the tenuous position of Christians in an emerging Islamic Egypt.

That’s why I’ve re-posted this article from First Things… to add additional information… and to encourage you to pray for the Coptic Church and their soon-to-be-revealed new Pope.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth, as it is in heaven!

See full article below –
Choosing a New Pope
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Mark Movsesian

In Egypt this weekend, the Coptic Orthodox Church will select its 118th pope. The new pope will succeed the late Shenouda III, who led the Coptic Church—a venerable and long-suffering communion, and the largest Christian church in the Middle East today—for forty years. The selection process, which is codified in Egyptian civil law, tracks ancient custom and is quite fascinating.

According to Eastern Christian practice, only monks—that is, celibate priests attached to a monastic brotherhood—may become pope. Continue reading “More on: Choosing a New Coptic Pope » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog” →

Please pray for Egypt’s Coptic Church in selection of their new Pope

Peanut Gallery: The new Pope of Egypt’s Coptic Church will ultimately be chosen by lot… at the hand of a child. Here’s a lesson in church governance for all of us. And here is the precedence.

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven. Acts 1.23-26 NLT

Please pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the hand of this child as the new Pope of Egypt’s Coptic Church is selected.

The names of the top three candidates will then be written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a box on the altar of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo according to church bylaws for the selection of their leader.

On November 4, a child from the congregation will be blindfolded and asked to choose one of the three pieces of paper. The chosen name will become the new Coptic Pope who will be enthroned in a ceremony on November 18.

Please read full article below:

Egypt’s Copts to vote for new Pope on Monday

By Jailan Zayan (AFP) – 3 hours ago

CAIRO — Egypt’s Coptic Christians (Wikipedia) will vote for a new spiritual leader on Monday after Pope Shenuda III died in March, leaving behind a community anxious about its status under an Islamist-led government.

The death of Shenuda, who headed the church for four decades, set in motion the process to elect a new patriarch to lead the community through the post-revolution era in Egypt, which is marked by increased sectarian tension.

Five candidates — two bishops and three monks– are vying to become the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle.

A council made up of senior clergy, current and former Coptic public officials, MPs, local councillors and journalists will cast ballots for a new pope on Monday.

The names of the top three candidates Continue reading “Please pray for Egypt’s Coptic Church in selection of their new Pope” →