We, the Coptic Orthodox bishops in the United States, called for a day of prayer and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Egypt on Tuesday December 14th, 2010. The prayer was held in Saint Vartan’s Armenian Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan, N.Y. from 10.30a.m.-12.30p.m.
The prayer was attended by the Coptic Orthodox bishops in the United States, more than fifty Coptic Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox priests, and many thousands of parishioners. Dignitaries, hierarchs and representatives from other churches were also present:
• His Excellency Cardinal Francis Assisi Chaullikatt, Vatican ambassador and the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations New York by Roman Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.
• His Eminence Metropolitan Khajag Barsamian primate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in the United States.
• His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian from the Armenian Orthodox Church.
• Father Andrawes Habash from the Syrian Catholic Church.
• Deacon Sami Dib from the Syrian Catholic Church.
We demanded the following:
➢ Accountability and trial of those who caused riots for many consecutive Fridays by making false accusations and allegations against the Church and our Father H.H. Pope Shenouda III.
➢ Human rights for the Christians of Egypt.
➢ That Christians receive equal religious freedom to build churches in Egypt.
➢ Justice for those who were killed in Nag-Hammadi and El-Omranieh.
➢ The immediate release of the rest of the Coptic Christian youth imprisoned in Giza.
➢ That the officials in Egypt implement proper measures to secure the safety of the Coptic Christians.
➢ The immediate release of the imprisoned Coptic Orthodox priest, Fr. Mettaous Wahba.
➢ That the Egyptian courts cease to interfere with Church matters.
We call upon the officials in our beloved country Egypt to take these matters seriously, and we pray for the peace and tranquility of all people in order to live together in a spirit of equality and brotherhood.
His Grace Bishop Serapion
Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii
His Grace Bishop Youssef
Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern United States
His Grace Bishop David
General Bishop within North America
His Grace Bishop Macarious
General Bishop within North America
His Grace Bishop Suriel
Bishop of the Diocese of Melbourne, Australia
His Grace Bishop Michael
General Bishop Serving Parishes in Virginia and Surrounding Regions
