The College of Europe in Natolin was honoured to host a unique figure - Pope TAWADROS II, Patriarch of Alexandria and Leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, to deliver a high level address titled: “In the World, Not of It: The Church’s Mission and the Common Good in Modern Times”.
This one-of-a-kind meeting was the occasion to meet first person and discuss the impact and the role of faith leaders in international relations!
Pope TAWADROS II, the 118th Patriarch of Alexandria since November 2012, is leading the Coptic community in Egypt and around the world. As spiritual leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the world’s oldest Churches, he has worked tirelessly to strengthen the contact of the Coptic diaspora with their motherland. Copts are strongly present today in the 5 continents, from Africa to North America and Europe to South America, Australia, and Asia. Under his leadership, the Church has expanded its pastoral and institutional presence abroad, building new churches, schools, and community centers to serve millions of Copts living outside Egypt.
Please, see the highlights of the event:
Note about the speaker:
The name “Tawadros” means “a gift from God” in the Coptic language. His Holiness was born as Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman on 4. November 1952 in the city of Mansoura in Egypt and grew up in a religious home. Many of his family members consist of priests and clergy. In 1983, he received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Clerical College in Alexandria. On August 20th, 1986, he joined the monastic life in the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Wadi El Natrun and on July 31st, 1988, he became a monk with the name Theodore Ava Pishoy. On November 18th, 2012, H.H. Pope Tawadros II was enthroned in a grand traditional ceremony where he was handed over the papal staff, the cross from the holy altar, and the leadership of priesthood. There were thousands of bishops, priests, clergy members and Christian representatives from all over the world, as well as public figures and governmental authorities at the enthronement. More information about him could be found here.