On Saturday 5 August 2023, the Coptic Orthodox Church lost Anba Mishael, Bishop of South Germany and Abbot of the Monastery of St Antonius in Kroeffelbach, who passed away aged 81. Anba Mishael had spent 45 years as a monk, serving in Germany for 35 years, In 2013, he was consecrated Bishop of Southern Germany, and Abbott of St Antonius Monastery in Kroeffelbach, which he had founded as the first Coptic monastery in Germany and in Europe.
On its official website, the Coptic Diocese of the Netherlands posted a statement in which it mourned the departure of Anba Mishael.
The statement read:
“Anba Arseny, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Netherlands and Belgium; together with the priests, archdeacons, deacons, Church servants and organisations, bid farewell to His Grace Bishop Mishael, Abbot of the Monastery of St Antonius, and Bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Southern Germany, who departed from this transient world. He suffered from illnesses and hardships, but found final rest in the Lord. They all remember his love and service which engulfed them throughout the years.
May the Lord reward him with the good eternal reward.”
In a message sent on Sunday 6 August to Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Egyptian Consulate in Frankfurt offered sincere condolences.
The message stated: “The Consulate of Egypt in Frankfurt mourns the passing of Anba Mishael, Bishop of Southern Germany and Abbot of the Coptic Monastery of Anba Antonius in Krefelbach, who passed away after a rich life of service to the Coptic Orthodox Church in Germany.
“Consul-General, Amin Hassan, and all members of the Consulate extend their sincere condolences to the Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros, and to the Coptic congregation inside and outside Egypt. The departed bishop was a role-model of service and dedication, and a great representative of the Coptic Church throughout his fruitful life.”
Preparations are ongoing for the funeral and burial of Anba Mishael. All necessary permits are being obtained from the German authorities, and a burial place is being built for him at the monastery, according to his wish.
Born on 6 August 1942, Anba Mishael took monastic vows in 1978 as Fr Mikhail al-Baramousi at the Western Desert monastery of St Mary al-Baramous, in Wadi al-Natroun, some 100km northwest Cairo.
He was consecrated bishop on 16 June 2013 at the hands of Pope Tawadros II.