Recent news from London on the health of Anba Pachomeus, Bishop of Beheira and Pentapolis, are very encouraging. The Bishop has been reported to have responded well to the physiotherapy and rehabilitation he is currently undergoing; he is up and about walking, with help, in and around the hospital. Accompanying him is Anba Pimen, Bishop of Naqada and Qous.
The Bishop of Beheira was flown to London on 27August suffering from high fever that had persisted for about three weeks earlier. He was admitted to a London hospital where he was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis, a virus that infects the brain and nerves and causes loss of motion and consciousness. Even though the disease is known to be hard to treat in old age, Anba Pachomeus showed marked improvement following two weeks of treatment; his fever subsided and he regained consciousness. Last week he was sufficiently well to be moved to another hospital in London for physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Anba Pachomeus, Bishop of Beheira and Pentapolis, is the second most senior bishop in the Coptic Church, the most senior being Anba Mikhail of Assiut who suffers from ill health. Anba Pachomeus was acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church between March 2012 when Pope Shenouda III passed away till November 2012 when Pope Tawadros II was enthroned. It was a critical, tumultuous period of time during which Egypt was under an oppresssive Muslim Brotherhood regime. Anba Pachomeus carried his responsibility with such wisdom, dedication, and strength that won him the love and respect of not only the Coptic congregation but also of all Egyptians.
His parishioners in Beheira had observed a period of fasting and prayers for the recovery of their Bishop.
Pope Tawadros had visited Anba Pachomeus who is his spiritual father and mentor at the Cairo al-Salam Hospital more than once before he was flown to London, and prayed for him. The Pope, who then went on a 35-day pastoral visit to The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada, has been in constant contact with the Bishop in London.
Watani International
4 October 2014