His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III Pope of Alexandria
His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III Pope of Alexandria Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark 3 August 1923 – 17 March 2012 I would like to openly express my deep gratitude for the memory of His Holiness
His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexandria
Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark
3 August 1923 – 17 March 2012
I would like to openly express my deep gratitude for the memory of His Holiness whose existence served as an example of just and ethical behaviour; he was a brave man who was once imprisoned for four years during the Anwar Sadat era of Egypt for standing by his people and refusing to abandon his values.
These beliefs extended to supporting our Patriarch Antonios, who has been unjustly under house arrest since 2006. Pope Shenouda himself had ordained Patriarch Antonios. He vocally protested his removal and refused to acknowledge the new government-appointed Patriarch. He instructed all the Coptic Church to pray for the Patriarch Antonios.
I had the good fortune of meeting His Holiness in March 2008 when he came to consecrate the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre and Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Of Saint George Stevenage U.K. I was able to thank him on behalf of the Eritrean People, and for his support of Patriarch Antonios, whom he had mentioned three times in the service, in particular. He inquired after Patriarch Antonios’s health. He told me that the Patriarch was in his prayers.
His Holiness appointed the exiled Bishop Makarios to lend support to the clergy and the laypeople who are loyal to the Patriarch Antonios.
His passing is a great loss not only to his people but to the Coptic community worldwide and to us, the Eritreans.
He will always be in our hearts and minds.
Elsa Chyrum
London, U.K
5 April 2012
ahmed saleh April 5, 2012
Thanks Elsa for this article. Courageous and righteous people are the light who shines
the human beings life in general. It is a blessing to follow their noble example.
A Iyasu April 5, 2012
May his soul rest in peace.
May the Lord bless Eritrea with reconcilation, justice and peace.
ahmed saleh April 6, 2012
AMIN!
Selamawi April 6, 2012
Woizoro Elsa Chyrum,
May I say a big THANK YOU for your grit, dedication, and hard work. You have covered the Eritrean cause extensively – in what is sacred such as the above, and in what is secular. Great job, exemplar compatriot.
May God repay Pope Shenouda III with eternal glory, and may his legacy remain always favouring good against evil, people against PFDJ.
My condolences to the Egyptian church who has lost a great leader while I am sure that she will find another one form within its fertile womb.
Thanks
Almaz Gaul Asmera April 7, 2012
Elsa,
You are an honorable Eritrean mother, a role model to all who want to live with dignity and integrity.
Keep it up the good work, the forces of dictatorship are weakening with each new day and it seems tomorrow is brighter than ever. Pope Shenouda and Patriarch Abune Antonious are some of the rarely found precious gem stones, who inspire millions of people for peace, love, truthful and meaningful life. Patriarch Abune Antoious’s a single, powerful and ingenious letter has spoken more than thousands of speeches that are tiring our communities.
Eritrean people are lucky to have you, an honest mother than feels the sufferings of an average Eritrean. The people has been abused not only by the wild beasts (HIGI-GIDEF) but also by different units who claim to be opposition groups while at the same time entertain special interests. You are teaching a good lesson for all who are ready to be taught: think like an average Eritrean and make the liberty of your people a priority.
There is no short cut to win the hearts of people. And there is no success without people.