Peanut Gallery: Today is Easter Sunday for millions of Christians around the world. Happy Easter – Christ is risen!
Message from John Kass –
Message from Coptic Pope Tawadros in Egypt –
Holy Fire in Jerusalem –
Orthodox Scouts Celebrate Easter in Jerusalem –
President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood have campaigned heavily in favour of the draft document, which may define Egypt for years to come.
Opponents say it is poorly drafted and overly favours Islamists.
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The BBC’s Jon Leyne reports from Cairo that the referendum is more than a vote on obscure clauses – it is about whether Egypt should be an Islamic country or a secular one.
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The opposition National Salvation Front coalition has accused the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to rig the vote.
However, the ballot, which is staggered over Saturday and a second day of voting in a week’s time, appears to be going smoothly with indications of a high turnout.
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BBC correspondents at polling stations report a relaxed mood. Many people said they were voting for the restoration of stability in Egypt. Continue reading “Egypt Votes: Round One – Choose Secular or Islamist? (BBC News Re-Post)”
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.
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 –
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.
Peanut Gallery: Yesterday, eligible Coptic voters selected three final candidates as successor to Pope Shenouda III (Wikipedia.) The final selection will be made by a child from the congregation who will choose the new Coptic Pope by lot… ultimately putting the selection in God’s hands. See earlier post.
Prior to Sunday’s selection, the Church has been asked to fast and pray.
“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.”
Copts fast for three days ahead of altar lottery – full article.
The altar lottery will decide the successor to Pope Shenouda III among Bishop Raphael, auxiliary bishop of central Cairo, Bishop Tawadros, the auxiliary bishop for Beheira, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk at St. Mina Monastery.
Bishop Angaelos, secretary for acting Pope Pachomius, said the Church will conduct a lottery to choose one child from amongst 70 children to conduct the final altar lottery.
Georgette Qillini, a member of the nominations committee, said the church has geared up for the altar lottery. Three bits of paper bearing the names of the three nominees will be placed in a glass box and then a child, between 4 and 7 years old, will pick one paper. Continue reading “Egyptian Prayer Update: “Copts fast for three days ahead of altar lottery””
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