Joy in Resurrection … Solace in martyrdom
2n the feast of the glorious Resurrection of Christ last year, I wrote that it was the will of our Heavenly Father that as we live the joy of the Resurrection, we carry in our hearts the pain of the brutal martyrdom of the 2-year-old Copt 1abil Habashi 6alama. Mr 6alama was kidnapped earlier in 2 21 from his home town of ir al-Abd in 1orth 6inai by aesh, also known as Islamic 6tate (I6) on 1 April 2 21, the Islamic group s site posted video footage showing the execution of Mr 6alama.
This year too, we live the joy of the Resurrection of Christ as we attempt to find solace in the wonderfully elevating life story of Father Arsanius :adid of Alexandria, who was martyred on 7 April 2 22 at the hands of a lost soul who dealt him a deadly stab in the neck. Fr Arsanius had been accompanying a group of young men and women from his church, the church of the Holy 9irgin and Mar- oulos (6t Paul) in .armou], for a day of leisure and spiritual activity on the beach in Alexandria he was murdered after sunset as the group boarded microbuses to take them home.
Fr Arsanius deserves to be venerated we have faith that he now basks in heavenly joy and glory with all the martyrs of Christianity throughout the ages. :e pray that God may grant his family and Church, and all of us, the strength of faith that would allow us all to transcend the pain of earthly loss, and elevate our souls to the heavenly hymns welcoming the new comer to Heaven.
:e felt comforted and redressed by the heartfelt sympathy and solidarity expressed by our fellow Muslims, and their overwhelming rejection of the strikes of hatred that target our nation s unity. In such difficult times, we arm ourselves with expressive, memorable Tuotes that will always remain the pride of Egyptians one and all. Among these are Pope 6henouda III s Egypt is not a nation in which we live, it is a nation that lives within us. Also Pope Tawadros II s : A nation without churches is better than churches without a nation. This he said in the wake of the Muslim rothers nationwide destruction and burning spree on 14 August 2 1 against Coptic churches, institutions, businesses and homes which left some 4 churches in ruins The churches were all repaired and restored by the Egyptian Armed Forces by -anuary 2 17 . Among the most expressive Tuotes posted on social media was: :e are 1 million Egyptians, we are all Muslims when needs be, and all Copts when needs be. .ill us all if you can Long live Egypt with her vigilant people. :e draw comfort and solace from that spirit of love and wisdom as we live the joy of the Resurrection of Christ.
I extend my heartfelt wishes for a blessed Resurrection Feast to the shepherd of the Coptic 2rthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II, and to all archbishops, bishops and priests of the Church, and the Coptic congregation. I also extend my best wishes to the reverend heads of the various Churches in Egypt, and to their clergy and congregations. And I pray for the Lord to protect our nation from all harm.