As the Coptic Church celebration of the Feast of the Apostles St Peter and St Pail on 12 July, Pope Tawadros II marked the occasion by consecrating a new church in their names built in Nubariya, Beheira, west of the Nile Delta.
The new church obtained its building permit in 2013, following which construction works began, with the finishing touches ending a few weeks ago.
Eight Coptic bishops participated with the Pope and Anba Pachomeus, Metropolitan of Beheira and Pentapolis, in the consecration Mass. At hand were Anba Danial, Bishop of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod; Anba Theodosius, Bishop of Central Giza; Anba Domadius, Bishop of 6 October; Anba Isaac, Bishop-General and Spiritual Supervisor of the Monastery of Anba Macarius the Alexandrite in Gabal al-Qalali; Anba Pavly, Bishop-General of the Montazah Churches in Alexandria; Anba Hermina, Bishop-General of the East Alexandria Churches; Anba Sawiris, Bishop and Abbot of the Monasteries of Anba Thomas in Khatatba and Sohag and Mar-Boqtor in Khatatba; and Anba Theofilos, Bishop of Manfalout.
Four altars were consecrated: the main altar in the name of the Apostles Peter and Paul; the northern altar for St Mark; the southern altar for St John., and another in the name of Mar-Girgis (St George). The Pope also anointed the Father’s Bosom, the niche traditionally built in front of every altar; the baptismal font; and the icons and iconostases.
Watani International
13 July 2021