Beautiful Egypt 269 – A Ferocious War – November, 7, 2018

   Wars: a word which mankind has suffered its effects throughout years and ages. Through it, some people changed the meaning of life created by God – blessed be His name – turning it from happiness, good, peace and beauty to a death of body and soul, carrying the meaning of destruction, evil, terror and panic. Whenever wars increase, destruction increases, as well as losing the dignity of humanity, making people preoccupied with them.

   The fiercest war under which burden the world falls down is that ferocious war against terrorism; what could be tougher than having an enemy inside the country? An enemy who tries to break up the country in order to keep it faltering and stumbling. The previous days passed bearing the winds of hatred towards all what is humane, as the terrorism hand was stretched out to pluck out lives of innocent souls, whose sole wish in life is to live peacefully, lifting their hearts to heavens to utter the name of God! In one of the most hideous terrorism crimes, a group of Egyptian Christians were coming back from the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor, seven of which were martyred – six of them are members of one family – while another number was injured critically, making the hearts of Egyptians groan and grieved for this loss.

   Martyrdom in Christianity – as I mentioned before – is a desire craved for by every Christian, as it is the way to Heaven. We do not grieve over the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and had their blood shed due to their firmness in faith, as we believe they are enjoying a great glory, an unimaginable joy, and a deep peace unfamiliar to us in this world. While for the families of the martyrs, we do believe that God is able to grant His peace and comfort to them, and to support all suffering souls, for He is the source of power, peace and comfort in our lives.

   But some questions roam in some people’s minds: Where will our country ship land? Is it possible for a part of the ship to dock on the beach safely, without the other part, whether it is a big or a small part? Can Egypt enjoy real stability that allows construction, progress and development, and restore its glories that made it the leader of the world and the paver of the ways for civilization, science, art and literature to the world?! How can stability be achieved without peace and security?! Is there a peace which lacks justice?! Here I recall that famous saying by the messenger sent by Khosrow I to Caliph Omar ibn al Khattab when he came and found him asleep in the sun on the ground over the sand, laying his head on his stick which he used as a pillow, the messenger stood at Omar’s head and said: “A man feared by all kings and this is his state! But you have been just, so you have been safe, and have slept, O Omar”. Today we are in the greatest need to live in peace all, and to learn to accept each other even if we are different.

   I express my condolences to Egypt for losing its Coptic sons through the hands of terrorism, we pray for their families and friends in order to be granted peace and comfort by God, and that He would heal the injured people promptly. And…

Stories about beautiful Egypt never end!

The General Bishop

Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center