When the first Coptic Press Day was held by Pope Tawadros a year ago, on 3 December 2022, the Pope promised it would be an annual event that honours the achievements of publications issued by Copts and the efforts of those who publish them. True to his word, 3 December 2023 witnessed a radiant celebration of the second Coptic Press Day.
The event was held in the hall of the administrative building of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the grounds of St Mark’s Cathedral in Abassiya, Cairo. It was graced by the presence of Pope Tawadros II and Anba Marcus, Bishop of Dumyat, Kafr al-Sheikh and Barari, and Abbot of the St Demiana Monastery, who is Supervisor of the biweekly al-Kiraza, the Coptic Orthodox Church mouthpiece which is 51 years old this year.
Milestones
Whereas 3 December 2022 marked “Coptic press and periodicals…150 years of serving the Church and Country”, the 2023 Coptic Press Day was titled “Milestones”: milestones in Egyptian modern history covered by the Coptic Press.
Pope Tawadros opened the event with a prayer of thanksgiving, following which a documentary was screened that focused on the “milestones”. These included the 1919 national Revolution; the establishment of the famed “Coptic Charity”; construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960 – 1970; construction of St Mark’s Cathedral in Abassiya, Cairo, and its grand opening in 1968; and the 6 October 1973 War with Israel, which ended in Egyptian victory and a peace treaty in 1979. Prominent among the milestones was also the massive popular revolution of 30 June 2013 against the Islamist post-Arab Spring (2011) rule in Egypt; backed by the army, the Revolution succeeded in overthrowing the Islamists and establishing a civil State in Egypt.
Copies of a book compiled to document these historical milestones were handed as gifts to the attendants. The introduction to the book was written by Pope Tawadros and Anba Marcus.
“The Coptic press holds a special place in the Pope’s focus,” Anba Marcus said. He briefed the attendants on how the idea of the Coptic Press Day was born in 2022, a brainchild of the Pope. He said that, in addition to the milestones already mentioned, the Coptic press is currently central to covering the project of the development of the sites on the trail of the biblical journey of the Holy Family in Egypt. The project, Anba Marcus said, is a national project in its own right, fully supported by the government and the Church.
Communal conscience
Nadia Mounir, Editor of Madaress al-Ahad (Sunday Schools), founded in 1947, gave a speech in which she said that the Coptic press’s role goes beyond being a mirror of the Coptic community; it is a communal conscience. Ms Mounir gave a briefing on the history of Coptic press and on the role it has been playing; she particularly talked about the role of Madaress al-Ahad in serving the Church and the community, not shying away from tackling thorny issues with objectivity and credibility. “The press is a witness and observer of Coptic history and a living conscience that testifies to the truth in all times and places,” Ms Mounir concluded.
Future of media
Writer and researcher Samir Morcos gave an enlightening presentation about the future of the media in light of current givens. He cited 2023 figures which indicate a world population that stands at 8 billion; 64 per cent of them are internet users, and 60 per cent frequent social media. In Egypt, he said, where the population stands at some 111 million, 80 million are internet users, constituting more than 70 per cent of the population, and around 46 million are active users of social media. Mobile phone users make some 105 million, 75 million of them using social media on their mobile phones. Eighty per cent of the Egyptian population is below the age of 40.
“We must pay attention to these figures because they represent the public mood, whether or not we like it,” Dr Morcos stressed. “If we are serious about the future of media, we must take into account that public mood.”
Media consumers today focus on the digital world which helps create their views, opinions and outlooks, leaving behind references that traditionally shaped opinion. The result, Dr Morcos said, is that new generations have new ideas and opinions that are often divergent from those of older generations; they even have their own language. So any media content should take that into account, especially in light of the speed of generational transition.
According to Dr Morcos, the developed world has a situation where papers exist side by side with the digital press. But in lower income communities, he said, people do not spend money to buy papers, but prefer to get information or news online, free of charge or at minimal cost.
“Future media should always embrace future outlooks and exercise perennial self-scrutiny, picking the trends, presenting issues that are hushed upon and attractive to their target audiences.”
Salt of the earth
Following the rich presentation by Dr Morcos, it was time for Pope Tawadros to take the stand.
“For the second year in a row,” the Pope said, “we celebrate the Coptic press, and recall the role its publications played for more than 150 years, presenting diverse content that enriched and benefitted the community and nation.”
“Coptic publications have documented milestones in the modern history of the nation and Church; they are references to consult in research on modern history.
“Today we commemorate the individuals who founded or contributed to these publications; we express our appreciation and gratitude for those who carried the mission faithfully and devotedly.”
The Pope focused on the input of Copts in the community “Christ told us we are the salt of the earth; salt can only work when it is incorporated in food, not when it stands on the side,” the Pope said. He talked about three types of active Coptic contribution to Egyptian life: historically, in services and buildings, and communally.
“Although Copts are a numerical minority, we are an effective national minority that stands at the root of the nation,” the Pope said. “Copts are born Egyptian and hold their Egyptianness first and foremost; even as they belong to an old, great Church.”
On the topic of Coptic contribution to Egypt in terms of services and buildings, the Pope said that, throughout the ages the Church has spawned institutions that offer Egyptians numerous, diverse services. These include hospitals, schools, museums, and libraries. He mentioned the Coptic Hospital in Cairo which prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026, Coptic museums in Cairo and Toronto, and the Papal Library at Anba Bishoy Monastery in the Western Desert. He also mentioned the huge hospital the Coptic Church has established in Kenya. “The most beautiful thing is that the edifices we construct serve all.”
Part and parcel of the community
Coptic communal participation, the Pope said, is manifest in all the nation’s events and activities. He remarked that he is always keen to participate in all national, social, or religious events, activities, meetings and celebrations. The Pope said it is important to encourage our children from a young age on active participation. To those working in the Coptic press, he said: “you are responsible to nurture and develop this feeling, even as you shed light on all types of Coptic participation and contribution.”
As an example the Pope cited the recent passing away of the great children’s writer Yacoub al-Sharouni whose biography was published on the 3 December issue of Watani under the title “Goodbye children’s friend”.
Honours and honourees
The Pope presented 24 men and women of the Coptic press with shields.
He honoured the previous editorial team of al-Kiraza, headed by Anba Macarius, Bishop of Minya.
He also honoured Father Mikhail Girgis, pastor of al-Malak Mikhail church in Damanhour, and founder of Risalat al-Kaneesa. The Pope mentioned that Father Girgis was his father confession during his youth in Damanhour, before he took orders.
Father Morcos Shehata, pastor of Anba Abraam church in Shubra and editor-in-chief of Resalet Hob (Message of Love) was also honoured. Writers and researcher Samir Morcos, Fayez Farah, Soliman Shafiq and Maged Kamel were honoured too.
From Watani, the Pope honoured Editor-in-chief Youssef Sidhom; Deputy Editor-in-Chief Victor Salama; Samia Sidhom, Managing Editor of Watani International; and retired senior editors Nabil Adly, Salwa Rifaat, and Nadia Barsoum.
From Madaress al-Ahad, Editor-in-chief Adel Shoukry; and editors Nadia Mounir, Hoda Faltas and Magdi Abdel-Aziz.
In a generous, considerate move that is all-too-typical of his loving nature, the Pope descended from the platform to hand the honours to those honourees who were themselves unable to ascend the steps of the platform to receive their honours.
Press or media?
Finally, Pope Tawadros said he hoped that everyone present would meet again in 2024 to celebrate a third Coptic Press Day. “Or should we make it Coptic Media Day?” he asked. A quick vote was taken by raising hands.
“Coptic Press Day” was the clear winner.
Watani International
27 December 2023
