This year we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Christ and his triumph over death amid high hopes and confidence in a bright future for Egypt and her Church.
I say this as I remember the Christmases and Easters of the past four years, which we used to mark with lumps in our throats and hearts heavy with distress. Egypt was then in the grip of the post-Arab Spring Islamist tide that was taking hold of power in the country. Predictably, Copts and their Church were the first to suffer at the hands of the Islamists.
Today we thank the good Lord who extended His protective Hand and delivered Egypt from the dark tunnel she was trapped in. We are grateful for His protection of His Church and children against all the blows that were directed at them; with His grace they emerged with deeper faith and love, and staunch patriotism.
Amid the joy of the Resurrection and the strong hope for a new beginning and a blossoming future in Egypt, I am happy to extend my sincerest Easter wishes to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and to all the Coptic Orthodox clergy and congregation. I also offer my heartiest wishes to all the heads, bishops, clergy, and congregations of all the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Egypt. I pray for the Lord to carry on His miraculous work of protecting Egypt and her Church, and blessing her people as they continue their passage from darkness to light.
Watani International
12 April 2015
