OCA Holy Synod calls for prayers in wake of Egyptian
crisis.
STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE ORTHODOX
CHURCH IN AMERICA
On August 30, 2013, His Beatitude, Metropolitan
Tikhon and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in
America, issued a statement calling for prayers for all who are suffering in
the crisis currently gripping Egypt, and especially that nation’s minority
Christian community.
The complete text follows.
STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE
ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA
Concerning the Conflict in Egypt and its
Christian community
It is with deep concern that we have witnessed
the mounting difficulties and sorrows suffered by Christians and non-Christians
alike across the Middle East, and especially in Egypt and Syria. Of special
concern is the plight of the Coptic community in Egypt.
The situation in that
land is indeed a complex one—one for which we offer prayers on behalf of all
people of good will, Christian and non-Christian alike, that the ongoing
conflict will soon end in a peaceful resolution.
Nevertheless, in mid-August we
witnessed disturbing images and reports of the burning and destruction of
dozens of Coptic churches across Egypt, together with attacks on the faithful
and their homes, families and businesses. While this is not the first time
Egypt’s Christians have had to endure such pain, the magnitude of the recent
attacks is unprecedented.
The Church, from apostolic times, has endured
suffering and persecution. “Blessed are you when men shall revile you and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my
sake,” our Lord reveals in Matthew 5:11. Since the time of Cain and Abel, the
nature of this fallen world has pitted brother against brother.
However, we
have been called to look beyond this fallen world and to set our sight on the
Kingdom of the Prince of Peace. In this manner, we will fulfill the prayer
offered by our Lord on the eve of His life-creating death, “that they all may
be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in
us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me” [John 17:21].
It is in this spirit that we call upon the
faithful to beseech our Lord to grant peace to our Coptic brothers and sisters
in the midst of their trials—and to all Egyptians of good will, in search of
that “Peace which passes all understanding” [Philippians 4:7].
May the promise
of the Kingdom remain before them as they continue to witness to Jesus Christ
in circumstances that, for us, are unimaginable. May we speak up in their
defense through whatever means are at our disposal. And may those who have lost
their lives in the conflict be granted eternal rest with the saints, in the
bosom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the
Holy Spirit” [Romans 15:13].
PETITION FOR AUGMENTED LITANY
Again we pray for those who are being persecuted for
their faith, especially the Christian faithful of Egypt and across the Middle
East, that the Lord God will send down upon them every spiritual weapon to
endure their tribulations; and that He will grant that Peace which passes all
understanding upon the region, and throughout the whole world, as a foretaste
of His heavenly Kingdom.
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