News 1-3_07
News of January - March 2007
Ordination of Michael Fam as Fr. Abraham for Africa
Congratulations to Fr. Abraham, who was formerly known as Michael Fam for receiving the honored priesthood on February 25th, 2007. The church in Africa – and everywhere where Michael was known – is extremely happy for the ordination of Fr. Abraham.
It was truly a joyous occasion. The entire church was so "fiery" and everyone was singing and dancing (Africa style) to rejoice with the new priest. This was the first time in the history of this Mission that a priest was ordained by His Grace Bishop Paul in Africa (with permission of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III). It was an amazing day filled with divine joy, and what made it even more special was that all the priests from Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Congo, Nigeria) were there for their annual priests retreat. Also, the church where the ordination took place (St-Moses, Alego) is the church where Michael and his wife Dalia had been serving at since their arrival to Africa - so they already had a special connection with everyone attending the ordination.
There was a procession led by deacons and priests at the beginning bringing Michael in and His Grace Bishop Paul with the Lamb Offering. Then, Michael was ordained Deacon (in the boy's altar) during the Liturgy. Father Abraham was then ordained as a priest and prayed the Commemoration of the Saints. It was as if the angels were singing and every saint in Heaven was praying with him. It was beautiful! (see videos) Then he repeated the Confession at the end of the Liturgy while holding the Body of Christ with the Bishop. Finally a procession around the church was made - and everyone was singing loudly and the traditional "zaghareet” were heard.
Fr. Abraham has spent his 40 Days of training at the Monastery of St-Mina and St-Takla in Maseno. He was taught by Priest-monk Fr. Isezorus from St-Pishoy Monastery, and Fr. Elisha from Maseno. Fr. Abraham prayed his first Liturgy on March 2nd at the monastery, which was the cause of another joyous celebration and procession (see videos). Abo and his wife are now off to Zambia, where they will serve the Church of St-Mark in Lusaka.
We pray that the Lord may bless the service of Father Abraham and Dalia for the glory of His name, and that they may be shining lights for Jesus everywhere they go. Please remember them and the mission in your prayers.
Mrs. Dina Powell, Assistant Secretary Of State Visits Coptic Mission
On Thursday the 8th of March, the Coptic Orthodox Mission in Nairobi was honored to host distinguished guests from the United States government: Mr. David McCormick, National Security Council Advisor for Foreign Assistance and Economic Security, and Mrs. Dina Powell, Assistant Secretary Of State for Education and Cultural Programs and also a daughter of the Coptic Orthodox Church, along with Michael Magan, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, and Warren Buckingham, the PEPFAR country coordinator for Kenya, and others attended to tour the Coptic Hospital and Hope Center for Infectious Diseases. The tour was intended to give a real understanding for the work that the Coptic Church has become so involved in with a special interest in the United States PEPFAR funded Hope Center, which the Coptic Church established 2004 for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
The visitors were welcomed by the Nairobi Church Choir, who greeted them in typical African fashion with singing and jubilation. After opening the day with a special prayer for the work of the Coptic Church, Bishop Paul and the visitors were treated to a presentation on the Coptic Mission by Nadia Kist, Hope Centre Program Manager.
A tour of the Hospital and Hope Centre facilities followed, allowing the visitors to see first hand the work being carried out by the doctors and staff of the Coptic Mission.
To hear from the patients themselves, a special session was arranged between the visitors and patients from the Coptic Hope Centre. In a tearful event, each patient shared their experience, giving a unique insight into the way HIV/AIDS affected their life, and how the Hope Centre gave them renewed hope and the possibility of a better life.
Deeply moved, Mr. McCormick and Ms. Powell addressed the attending Kenyan media together with Bishop Paul, before returning to the Church where they were farewelled by the ever enthusiastic choir.
The day was a wonderful success in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS issues, and in bringing glory to God’s name through the work being done on many levels to address the needs of HIV+ people by the Coptic Church in Africa.
Five Priests promoted to the rank of Hegomen
On the same joyous day of Fr. Abraham's ordination (February 25th 2007), Bishop Paul promoted 5 priests to the Rank of Hegomen. The names of the five are Fr. Michael, Fr. Thomas, Fr. Timothy, Fr. Jacob, and Fr. Moses. We congratulate them all and pray that the Lord will grant them a new power to serve Him tirelessly as they go back to their churches.
The 2007 Annual Priest Conference
This year's Priest Conference was attended by 15 priests from the five African countries under the care of His Grace Bishop Paul, namely Kenya, Zambia, Congo, Tanzania, Nigeria. The theme was "The Seven Churches of the Book of Revelations" which were each taken in depth over seven lectures given by H. G. Bishop Paul. Everyone truly felt the Lord speaking to their hearts, and were encouraged and renewed by the end of the 5-day conference. Most of the priests even stayed an extra week at the monastery for personal retreat. So we thank God for the fruitful time He has granted to His shepherds.
