Coptic Church Hosts Prayer for Egypt

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre will tomorrow host Baptists and Anglicans, as the three denominations join together in prayer for Egypt.

Egyptian Christians will gather at 10am for Mass, followed by brunch and prayer until 5pm.

The free event follows on from last year's day of prayer which saw 300 people attend.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, who is hosting the day at Shephalbury Manor in Stevenage said: "This is a time during which Egypt is going through a great deal of transition at every level and therefore, as Christians, we are joining together in a continued effort to pray for this to be a peaceful and bloodless transition.

"Tomorrow will bring together Egyptian Christians from across the Greater London area to pray for God's peace and protection upon Egypt, and for a future built on a democratic system that works towards and ensures equality and inclusion for every Egyptian citizen, observing general basic principles of human rights and social justice for all."

The Bishop spoke of a "cultural history" unique to Egypt in a statement made last month the one year anniversary of Tahir Square's uprising.

He said: "Egypt has a cultural history that dates back seven thousand years to the Pharaonic era, and has been blessed by God Himself in the Scriptures."

"As a result, we have confidence in God, Who is powerful, merciful and victorious, and will maintain His promise to fulfil that blessing, seeking to protect all His people, if we indeed walk in His way."

Bishop Angaelos has been influential in raising the Copt's plight in the UK. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day program on the 27th December, he said: "We must also remember that for many millions of Christians in the Middle East, along with their brethren in Nigeria who on Christmas Day experienced such tragedy at what should have been a time of sacred celebration, these days commemorate the birth of the Incarnate Word, Who is still the source of the hope, courage and resilience with which they live till today."