This is how the Egyptian Military attacks our sacred monasteries with tanks and live ammunition fired at the monks and the workers in the monastery
Monday, February 28, 2011
Protest and Religion Part 1: Egypt - Perspectives on the Revolution.
The Christian population of Egypt numbers about ten per cent - but eighty per cent of Egyptian emigrants are Christian, and Australia is home to 80,000 Coptic Christians from Egypt. What roles did Christians play in the revolution, and what are their hopes and fears for the future?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Speech Delivered in the House of Representatives by Maria Vamvakinou MP
The Speech Delivered in the House of Representatives by Maria Vamvakinou MP - Federal Member for Calwell Concerning the Coptic Orthodox Community of Egypt - Monday 21 February, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
ABC RADIO MELBOURNE 774 Tonight
I will be part of a panel discussion on ABC RADIO MELBOURNE 774 tonight Friday 11 Feb. 2011 from 7 to 9 pm Melbourne time concerning the situation in Egypt.
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/programs/webcam_radio.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/programs/webcam_radio.htm
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
US fears Muslim change in Egypt
Coptic Bishop Suriel discusses the current unrest in Egypt and potential results.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
For Justice’ Sake
On this week’s Rush Hour, Jason investigates the worsening persecution of Christians around the globe, highlighted by the recent atrocities committed against Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt and terror threats received by four Coptic Churches in Sydney.
Join Jason as he meets a fascinating range of people who shed light on this saddening story:
* A priest at one of Sydney’s targeted Churches.
* The inspiring Coptic Orthodox bishop of Melbourne.
* A young organiser the massive rally in Sydney last Wednesday.
* A Catholic priest who has helped publish a comprehensive report on religious freedom.
* A Chaldean priest who was kidnapped and tortured for two weeks in Baghdad, and amazingly survived.
Christian persecution is a subject that all the faithful need to be informed about. Listen to this week’s show to get up to speed on this worrying phenomenon.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Message from the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP
Message from the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP
Federal Member for Berowra
Federal Member for Berowra
Friday, January 14, 2011
Statement on Queensland & NSW Floods
14 January, 2011
Dear Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Melbourne,
Coptic Charity Account
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 159
Acc.: 1024 6268
Suriel
Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
Download as PDF English Arabic
Dear Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Melbourne,
Over the past two weeks we have been mourning and in pain due to the massacre of 23 Copts and the injury of 80 more in the bomb attack in Alexandria and also the criminal attack against innocent Copts in a train in Minya that killed a 71 year old Copt and injured 5 more by an Egyptian deputy police officer. Despite our suffering, we also feel and understand the suffering that our fellow Australians in Queensland and NSW are passing through due to the natural disaster that has befallen them.
In the past week Queensland in particular and also NSW have faced an enormous natural disaster and the worst floods to hit Australia in the past 118 years. Due to these floods 15 Australians have lost their lives and 55 others are still missing. These floods have also caused horrific damage that will cost over $16 billion to repair.
On behalf of the Coptic Orthodox community of the Diocese of Melbourne and its affiliated regions, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy and prayers for those who have lost loved ones and for all of the thousands of Australians whose homes and businesses have been destroyed.
The generosity of Australians is needed at this time to support flood-affected communities in Queensland and NSW. Hence I call upon Coptic Australians in our Diocese to donate what they can to assist in alleviating some of the pain and suffering that our fellow Australians are facing.
I request from all the parishes within the diocese to make a special collection for the flood victims over the next two Sundays. May the Lord reward you all for your generosity and deep love for those who are suffering. As Saint Paul teaches us to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
Donations can be deposited in the following account and marked “Flood Assistance”:
Coptic Charity Account
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 159
Acc.: 1024 6268
Suriel
Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
Download as PDF English Arabic
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Articles Collected from several media sources about Alexandria masacre
Articles Collected from several media sources about the massacre of Christian Copts of Alexandria
Copts living in fear after Egyptian bloodbath
Anti-Christian drumbeat loud before Egypt attack
Christian killed in attack in Egypt
Egyptian pope urges calm after clashes
Protesters in Egypt Clash With Police
Suspected suicide bomber kills 21 at Egypt church
Egyptian church blast claims seven
Egypt bomber planned blast inside church
Egypt on alert ahead of Coptic Christmas
Has Egypt's government abandoned Alexandria?
Defending all religious rights
Photos from the Ecumenical Prayer Service 7th January 2011
Photos from the Ecumenical Prayer Service at St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, and the Press Conference at Federation Square - Melbourne on 7th January 2011
Photos By: Dr. Adel Zayed
Photos By: Dr. Adel Zayed
Photos from the Ecumenical Prayer Service 7th January 2011
Photos from the Ecumenical Prayer Service at St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, and the Press Conference at Federation Square - Melbourne on 7th January 2011
Photos By: Ramy Attia
Photos By: Ramy Attia
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Coptics Living in fear
This article appeared in the Whitehorse Leader on page 5 on Wednesday 12 of January, 2011
71-year-old Coptic Christian shot dead on train in Upper Egypt
By-almasryalyoum
An unidentified gunman on Tuesday boarded a northbound train in Upper Egypt and opened fire on passengers, killing one Christian man and injuring five others, security and medical officials said.
The motive for the shooting was not immediately known, although the incident comes less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 23 Christians and wounded scores of others outside a church in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, some 250 kilometers north of the capital Cairo.
Officials said the gunman had boarded the Cairo-bound train at the town of Samalout in Egypt's Minya province, roughly 260 km south of Cairo.
Police arrested the gunman as he attempted to flee the scene, according to security officials.
Egypt's state news agency has confirmed the incident, reporting that police were currently questioning the assailant.
A security source told Al-Masry Al-Youm that police had identified the victim as Fathy Ghattas, 71, from Cairo's middle-class Zeitoun neighborhood.
Sources said the assailant had checked passengers for the green cross traditionally tattooed on the wrists of Coptic Christians in Egypt. After identifying several Copts, the culprit killed one of them and injured five others.
The same sources said that investigators were looking into the possibility that the assailant was a policeman, but this remains unconfirmed.
A new Type of Speech by His Grace Bishop Suriel
American Copts say: We have heard a new type of speech by Bishop Anba Suriel of Melbourne during the demonstration on 14 November . We hope such speech to be continued because we still suffering.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sydney's Coptics security threats
Coptic Orthodox sites in Sydney remain under close police surveillance, after online threats against four churches in the city's western and southern suburbs. David Oldfield with Coptic Peter Tadros on security.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Interview with Bishop Suriel on ABC News Radio
It's Christmas Day for Coptic Christians - but not a very merry one as violence wracks Egyptian follower.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Bishop Suriel Message - Feast of Nativity 2011
Feast of Nativity
7th January 2011
His Grace Bishop Suriel
Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Interview with Bishop Suriel on 2GB Radio
His Grace Bishop Suriel - Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions - Was interviewed by Andrew Moore at 7:10 am on 2GB Radio on Wednesday morning 5th January 2011 concerning the Coptic massacre in Alexandria.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Police and Protesters Battle in Shubra
That's how the Egyptian police deal with Egyptian citizens!!! Shame, shame, shame!
NewsFlash: Interview with Bishop Suriel on 2GB Radio
There will be an interview with Andrew Moore at 7:10 am on 2GB Radio tomorrow (5 January 2011) concerning the Coptic massacre in Alexandria.
You can listen live at:
http://www.2gb.com/listenlive/index.php
You can listen live at:
http://www.2gb.com/listenlive/index.php
NewsFlash: Ecumenical Prayer Service - Melbourne
It is now confirmed that the Ecumenical Prayer service will take place at St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral on Flinder's Street at 1 pm sharp. I hope that all the Copts of Melbourne and many Christians in Melbourne will come and share in our prayers and mourning for our 22 martyrs that shed their blood on New Year's Day 2011 in Alexandria.
More details to come shortly...
More details to come shortly...
Monday, January 3, 2011
NewsFlash: SBS TV Interview with Bishop Suriel
SBS TV news will run a story on the Coptic massacre on New Year's day 2011 tonight at 6:30 pm. This news story will also include parts of the interview with Bishop Suriel that took place this afternoon. We will post the video file after it is aired on television.
May the Lord comfort you all.
May the Lord comfort you all.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
NewsFlash 2: Update From Metropolitan Pachomius
In a further call to His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomius he stated the following.
The number of Coptic martyrs is 17 and there are another 5 or 6 which are yet to be identified. All of the bodies have now been removed from the church and are with the coroner awaiting release in order for the funerals to take place.
There are also 58 Copts injured, some in critical condition and some are in intensive care.
May the Lord ease this pain and suffering of His people in Egypt.
Bishop Suriel
The number of Coptic martyrs is 17 and there are another 5 or 6 which are yet to be identified. All of the bodies have now been removed from the church and are with the coroner awaiting release in order for the funerals to take place.
There are also 58 Copts injured, some in critical condition and some are in intensive care.
May the Lord ease this pain and suffering of His people in Egypt.
Bishop Suriel
NewsFlash: Update from Metropolitan Pachomious in Alexandria
I have just spoken personally to His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomius who was delegated by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to oversee the massacre of Copts in Alexandria.
His Eminence has informed me that the situation is dire and dreadful. So far they have been able to confirm 23 Copts martyred and 70 injured. They are having difficulty removing the bodies because of the emotions of the people and will probably need to bring in the police for assistance.
May the Lord repose the pure souls of these martyrs and heal the injured and give comfort to the families who lost loved ones. May the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on his children the Coptic Christians of Egypt and give comfort to all Copts around the world during this tragic time.
Bishop Anba Suriel
His Eminence has informed me that the situation is dire and dreadful. So far they have been able to confirm 23 Copts martyred and 70 injured. They are having difficulty removing the bodies because of the emotions of the people and will probably need to bring in the police for assistance.
May the Lord repose the pure souls of these martyrs and heal the injured and give comfort to the families who lost loved ones. May the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on his children the Coptic Christians of Egypt and give comfort to all Copts around the world during this tragic time.
Bishop Anba Suriel
Copts Massacred On New Years Day 2011
Another barbaric attack on Coptic Christians of Egypt has taken place at 12:20 am on New Year's day, 2011. The attack took place in front of the Al-Kedeseen Church in Sidi Beshr, Alexandria EGYPT.
A Skoda car was suddenly parked in front of the church. The car was full of explosives and a sign in the back window stating, "There is more to come." The bomb was triggered as Coptic faithful were leaving the church after New Year's celebrations.
Tens of Copts have been martyred and many more injured. It is a sad day for the Coptic Church around the world and it is a sad day for Egypt.
We call upon the Egyptian authorities to protect its Christian citizens from such atrocious attacks.
May the Lord repose the souls of the departed and strengthen their families in these very difficult times.
We pray for His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the whole church on this sad day of our history.
If you would like to send any financial assistance to the families of the martyr's in Alexandria you may deposit your donations in the following Bank Account and mark it "Alexandria Martyrs"
Coptic Charity Account
Commonwealth Bank
063 159 1024 6268
God bless you.
Bishop of Melbourne
Please find more details in the following reports
Reuters
BBC NEWS Middle East
SBS
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Journey "Home!"
Dear sisters and brothers,
Well, I have been in New Jersey now for seven months and ten days. It has been an interesting time of my life and not the easiest at times. Yet, it has also been a very fruitful time. This time away from my diocese has given me a chance for much reflection and prayer. It has also been a very busy time full of useful activities and work.
Being in New Jersey has given me the opportunity to concentrate for a while on my research which I hope one day will be of benefit to the Coptic Church and to religious educators in general and I pray that it may add a little to the body of knowledge. It has also given me the opportunity to gather many valuable resources that are not available in Australia.
During this relatively short period of time I was able to complete my Qualifying Paper and have it approved by my committee of three professors. I was also able to complete and defend my thesis proposal and have this approved as well. This will now open the path to continue the research process.
I am grateful for the fatherhood of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III for his enduring support and love throughout this time. I thank him for entrusting me with overseeing mission and evangelism and youth ministry whilst in the USA.
Working in such a ministry I hope assisted in some way to encourage and inspire local parishes of the importance of mission and evangelism as a central part of our daily work. I enjoyed meeting with the many churches (in NJ, PA, NC, DC and Ottawa), clergy, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders and laity and discussing this work with them.
So, now it is getting very cold in New Jersey and perhaps some snow is expected overnight and the temperature during the day tomorrow will peak at 24 degrees (-4 celsius). Even though I prefer the cold weather, but I think I can do without the sub freezing temperatures! My bags are almost packed and some dear friends will come tonight to bid their farewells.
So then, tomorrow evening (Tuesday) I will be travelling to Cairo and from there I will be heading back to Melbourne, Australia. One positive aspect of that at least, is that it will be summer and the weather will be wonderful and the trees will be in full bloom.
There is much awaiting me back home, yes in a way it is home as a bishop is married to his diocese according to the traditions of the Church and the diocese is his "bride." Yet our permanent home is in the heavens with the Lord and His angels, which I desire in every morning and with every breath.
Please pray for me. Thank you and God bless you.
Well, I have been in New Jersey now for seven months and ten days. It has been an interesting time of my life and not the easiest at times. Yet, it has also been a very fruitful time. This time away from my diocese has given me a chance for much reflection and prayer. It has also been a very busy time full of useful activities and work.
Being in New Jersey has given me the opportunity to concentrate for a while on my research which I hope one day will be of benefit to the Coptic Church and to religious educators in general and I pray that it may add a little to the body of knowledge. It has also given me the opportunity to gather many valuable resources that are not available in Australia.
During this relatively short period of time I was able to complete my Qualifying Paper and have it approved by my committee of three professors. I was also able to complete and defend my thesis proposal and have this approved as well. This will now open the path to continue the research process.
I am grateful for the fatherhood of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III for his enduring support and love throughout this time. I thank him for entrusting me with overseeing mission and evangelism and youth ministry whilst in the USA.
Working in such a ministry I hope assisted in some way to encourage and inspire local parishes of the importance of mission and evangelism as a central part of our daily work. I enjoyed meeting with the many churches (in NJ, PA, NC, DC and Ottawa), clergy, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders and laity and discussing this work with them.
So, now it is getting very cold in New Jersey and perhaps some snow is expected overnight and the temperature during the day tomorrow will peak at 24 degrees (-4 celsius). Even though I prefer the cold weather, but I think I can do without the sub freezing temperatures! My bags are almost packed and some dear friends will come tonight to bid their farewells.
So then, tomorrow evening (Tuesday) I will be travelling to Cairo and from there I will be heading back to Melbourne, Australia. One positive aspect of that at least, is that it will be summer and the weather will be wonderful and the trees will be in full bloom.
There is much awaiting me back home, yes in a way it is home as a bishop is married to his diocese according to the traditions of the Church and the diocese is his "bride." Yet our permanent home is in the heavens with the Lord and His angels, which I desire in every morning and with every breath.
Please pray for me. Thank you and God bless you.
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