On Sunday, 27 March 2022, Anba Boulos, Bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Ottawa, Montreal and Eastern Canada, presided over the first Liturgy prayed in the new church of Archangel Michael and St Mercurius (Abu-Siefein) (AMSM) in Laval Canada. The official opening of the church is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, 2 & 3 April.
In a joyful climate, a very large congregation of Laval and eastern Canada attended.
Anba Boulos was joined by Fr Michael Attiya, pastor of AMSM; and Fr Moussa al-Baramoussi, the priest in charge of the Trinity Centre in Val-de-Bois in praying the Liturgy in four languages: Coptic, Arabic, French and English,.
In a word by Anba Boulos, he congratulated the Coptic congregation on the new church which, he said, they had awaited for more than 20 years. He thanked all who had exerted efforts to have the dream come true, quoting the Bible verses in John 4:36 “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together”. But the Lord is the one who gives joy to both,” Anba Boulos said.
The Bishop then delivered the sermon on “The Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah”, and explained that God cares about the purity of hearts, and that worship in spirit and truth, away from dogmatic prayer.
Before concluding the service, the congregation were notified that Sherif Alphonse, a lay servant and archon at the AMAS, passed away and a funeral service would be held for him the following day, Monday 28 March 2022.
Watani International
29 March 2022