Anba Boqtor, Coptic Orthodox Bishop of al-Wadi al-Gadeed, passed away in Dallas, US, on Friday 16 February 2018.
A funeral service is planned for him at the church of the Holy Virgin in Dallas on Monday 19 February, after which his body will be flown home to Cairo for another service and for burial.
In an official statement, Pope Tawadros II mourned Anba Boqtor and prayed for divine comfort for all who loved him.
“We sadly bid Anba Boqtor farewell,” the Pope’s statement said. “As a monk, priest, and bishop, he faithfully served the Lord and Church for 40 years; during many of which he bravely carried his cross of illness and pain.
“His service as bishop, which lasted a mere three years, was short but rich in forbearance and contribution. He travelled far and wide to serve, spiritually and materially, a flock scattered over the vast desert region of al-Wadi al-Gadeed. He built and consecrated churches there. He also encouraged study of history and archaeology in his widespread parish—a region rich in old Christian relics.
“Anba Boqtor succeeded in forming a new thriving diocese in al-Wadi al-Gadeed which had not had a resident bishop for eight centuries.”
Anba Raphail, Secretary-General of the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod, relayed to the congregation the sincere condolences of the Synod at the passing away of Anba Boqtor. He said he prayed for comfort of his sons and daughters in al-Wadi al-Gadeed. “May his soul rest in peace,” Anba Raphail said on his Facebook page.
Anba Boqtor took orders in 1980 at al-Muharraq Monastery in Assiut some 350km south of Cairo. He was given the name Bishoi al-Muharraqi. On 23 May 2015, he was consecrated General-Bishop at the hands of Pope Tawadros II and, on 12 June 2016, was seated Bishop of al-Wadi al-Gadid and the Oases, a parish which stretches along Egypt’s Western Desert and which had had no bishop for eight centuries.
Watani International
18 February 2018