This is not an interview in the traditional sense, simply because Archdeacon Ramses Naguib is no ordinary person. He is one of the renowned servants of the Coptic Orthodox Church and as such has been training deacons since the 1950s. Shammaas, or deacon in the Coptic language, means ‘a volunteer servant in Church’.
Despite his age—he is over 80—Naguib is still teaching ‘village service’ at the Pastoral Institute at St Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassiya, Cairo. And he is still residing and in charge of the Deacon House he helped establish in the parish of Giza some 50 years ago. He is fondly called “al-Arshi”—short for “the archdeacon”—by Giza deacons, young and old.
Watani held this interview with Ramses Naguib.
Watani: Where does the position of archdeacon stand in the hierarchy of the Church?
Naguib: Clerical hierarchy is like an equilateral triangle. The first side represents the bishop, the archbishop, and the Pope. The second includes the priests, and the third the deacons: the psaltos or those who sing hymns, gnostos (preacher), the diacon (deacon), epidiacon (the deacon’s assistant) and archidiacon (archdeacon).
How did your quest to serve begin?
Consecrating one’s life means offering one’s all to service, and my mission began with serving young people. One of the most important lessons that I learnt was to remember the names of those I was serving because when people are called by their names they feel appreciated and loved by their pastor or leader. I remember the story of the four shepherds whose sheep were mixed up, and each one had to stand on a hill and call his sheep with the sound they knew. Each followed the sound of the shepherd they knew.
Tell us the story of the Deacon House in Giza?
This house was built in 1955 as a guest house for young men who come to Cairo or Giza to work or study away from their families. The first group of young men resided there in 1960. In the 1970s the building was enlarged and served as a hostel for university students. In 1975, another deacon house was built in 6th October Town to house students there.
What is the mission of the Deacon House?
The Deacon House’s mission is to train young deacons to read and explain the Bible to the congregation. It also prepares them to serve in deprived villages. The Deacon House helps university students to settle in during the academic year and helps them spiritually to have a strong relationship with God.
Several bishops and priests as well as scientists and writers have graduated from the Deacon House. Among these scientists Dr George Hanna, who is one of the world’s top endoscopy specialists, and Dr Rafik Youssef, the renowned economy consultant.
How about the house’s publications?
Our publications lean heavily on stories that carry a moral lesson and contain questions that often concern young people, such as questions which deal with chastity and friendship with the opposite sex. The most important thing about these publications is that they respect the minds of readers who come from different backgrounds. The good teacher is a facilitator who teaches and learns from his students at the same time.
The Deacon House usually adopts a neutral stance on issues pertaining to internal problems within the Church?
In case of conflicts of ideas such as those which occasionally arise between top leaders in the Church we always remind that “Pope Shenouda is the greatest teacher of all; Anba Gregorius the best theologian; and Father Matta al-Miskeen the best monk.” We stress the positive side of everyone.
Do you have any special memories about Anba Samuel, Bishop-General of Services, who died with President Anwar al-Sadat in the shooting of 6 October 1981 and who is considered the father of modern service in the Church today?
The most important lesson we learnt from Anba Samuel was his motto, “My eyes are always fixed on the goal.” Usually, in times of hardship, people are ready to face challenges, but the worst thing that can jeopardise any service is the absence of the goal. And it must be remembered that the ultimate goal is the salvation of man.
What about the village service?
This service is taught as a specialised subject in the Pastoral Institute. Anba Bakhomius and I give these lectures the basis of which is a knowledge of rural sociology. On the spiritual level, Jesus Christ Himself was a villager and did not go to town unless there was a feast. His service was mainly roaming in the poor villages and small towns.
On the historical level, most Egyptian leaders and Patriarchs came from rural areas, and in the Greek Church 80 per cent of all Patriarchs were also born in villages. But unfortunately, most villages have lost part of their heritage because urbanism has been taking over.
What characteristics should a village servant possess?
The general duty of a servant of the church is to abide by the spirituality and teachings of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Experience is important, as is knowledge. Our problem these days is that people may be well informed from books, but they do not have spiritual experience neither do they adhere to biblical teaching. It is very contradictory for servants to urge people to love one another while they fight with their family members at home.
What characteristics should a bishop possess?
He should be able to work well with others.
What is your advice for students in the Deacon House?
They should not marginalise their brains. They should always remember the verse, “Love God from all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” If you no longer think critically, no longer use your mind, you do not love God.
What was the happiest day in your life?
It was when I joined the Coptic Orthodox delegation of bishops, priests, and laymen which flew to Rome to bring home the relics of St Mark. This was in June 1968 our stay in Rome lasted five days and cost EGP185. I was the only one in the delegation who had his ++tonya++ (the deacon’s white garment) with him on the plane, therefore I had the honour of carrying the relics inside the plane from Rome to Cairo airport and delivering them on arrival to Pope Kyrillos VI. I will never forget that flight.