Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom following the attack on worshippers at a Synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom

 

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom following the attack on worshippers at a Synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

2 October 2025

On a day during which we should have been expressing greetings to the Jewish community on the occasion of Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish religious calendar, we are regrettably now expressing condolences after the heinous attack on the community at Heaton Park Synagogue, Manchester. Due to the connected nature of the Jewish community, this incident will have a much wider effect and impact on many in Manchester, across Britain, and around the world. We also acknowledge that today’s tragedy will deeply impact the communities in the surrounding neighbourhoods, across the United Kingdom and beyond.

Places of worship are safe havens, with people at their most exposed and vulnerable as they open themselves up in prayer and worship, so attacks on them are especially deplorable. It has been shared that due to the timing of the service this morning, the congregation would have been comprised of mainly the elderly and young children, who are even more vulnerable which makes this attack unfathomable.  

We must recognise that rhetoric of hatred and division which we see increasing in daily discourse will undeniably give rise to such attacks. There is no excuse for violence and terrorism, and we must all strive not to be part of anything that leads to incitement or hatred towards those who are deemed ‘the other’.

There is now a need for leadership at every level to ensure words and actions that bring a sense of justice, peace, calm and resolve to communities that are suffering deeply as a result of today’s tragedy.

We pray repose for those whose lives were taken, comfort for the bereaved, and reassurance for those feeling immense vulnerability in the wake of today’s attack.

*Ends*

United Nations International Day of Peace 2025 - Reflection by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos

                      

Reflection on the International Day of Peace
His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom

Source: www.UN.org

21 September 2025

On this year’s International Day of Peace, as recognised by the United Nations, there is an urgent need for a global spirit of solidarity and hope amidst ongoing wars, conflicts and atrocities in our world. Millions are suffering violations of their basic human rights and freedoms, and countless others are living in tumultuous conditions, robbing them of their loved ones and livelihoods. Many millions are also displaced, both internally and externally, as a direct result of war and destruction. Division is now rampant within countless nations, and this spirit of opposition and injustice across and within communities will only lead to more suffering and pain for all.

Due to the current undeniable scale of suffering, destruction, displacement, famine and scarcity of medical care, there is a particular focus this year on the ongoing wars affecting Gaza and Ukraine, and the ongoing pain of separation and uncertainty regarding the wellbeing of loved ones, as well as terrorist attacks, in Israel.

There is also unspeakable pain for the people of Sudan, Yemen, sub-Saharan Africa and across the Middle East, as well as many more in pockets of the world whose stories remain untold and without a focus in our daily news feeds. Every individual who is suffering is worthy of our attention, prayers and active efforts towards promoting and finding just and sustainable peace for all.

Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us that “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25); as a global community, we are now more divided than we have been for decades.

While we consider the global situation, we cannot ignore the current tension and climate of unrest that lies within communities at a national level in many parts of the world. These must be first addressed so that we may stand with and for one another as we become instruments of peace for the world at large.

Despite this reality, what is also true is that we can indeed be, and make, a powerful and impactful difference in our communities and in our world. Our ongoing prayers and advocacy efforts can be for peace, justice and genuine reconciliation to take place within our global communities. We can, individually and collectively, be catalysts of, and advocates for, acts of reconciliation within our own families, neighbourhoods, communities and wider circles of influence, as we all, in our own way, extend a hand of peace to one another.

We pray God’s peace upon His world, wisdom upon policy and decision makers, comfort, strength and resilience upon those suffering as a result of a lack of peace, and faithfulness and determination upon all those called to continue to speak, advocate, and act for peace in every corner of the world.

Report: The Journey of The Holy Family in Egypt Event - The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in partnership with The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

 

Report

The Journey of The Holy Family in Egypt Event

The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in partnership with
 The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Thursday 29 May 2025

On Thursday 29 May 2025, The Egyptian Cultural Bureau, in partnership with The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, hosted an event to commemorate the journey of The Holy Family in Egypt in anticipation of the celebration of The Coptic Orthodox Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt on 1 June 2025.

The event began with a welcome and presentation by Professor Rasha Hussein A. Mostafa, Cultural Attaché and Bureau Director, and addresses were given by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Sherif Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt to the Court of St James and Iconographer Fadi Mikhail. Among guests in attendance was His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James.

 

A short film was shown to demonstrate the Holy Family’s journey across Egypt, and after addresses, guests were invited to partake in refreshments and to attend an icon exhibition by Fadi Mikhail. There were six icons on display. Three of the icons depicted The Holy Family with various compositions, and all included elements referencing Egypt such as The Pyramids, The Nile and Pharaonic symbolism. The remaining three icons were of Saints that are significant to the Coptic Orthodox Church. The first was Saint Mark, the Evangelist, writer of the second Gospel in The Bible, and founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The second was of Saint Athanasius, the 20^th Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and a pivotal figure in the global Church until today, and the third was an icon of Saint Katherine who is an ascetic of the deserts of Egypt, significant because of the contribution that Egypt has made to monastic life globally since the 4^th Century until today.

Professor Rasha Hussein spoke about the cultural significance of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt, saying:

“The advent of the Holy family of Egypt seeking refuge, fleeing King Herod’s persecution, is an event of the utmost significance in our dear country's long history. It also highlights Divine protection and providence.”

She went on to say:

“The Holy Family's journey in Egypt is rich with cultural, theological, and emotional dimensions. Perceived from any of these aspects, the journey offers profound insights into themes of exile, protection, Divine guidance, and room among suffering, and above of all, it demonstrated that Christ's journey in Egypt filled its land with blessings. The support the Holy Family received from others in Egypt, whether through donations, shelter or resources, showcased the extent to which the concepts of hospitality and mutual aid were deeply rooted and embedded in ancient Middle Eastern cultures, among which Egypt stood and still stands for.”

Professor Rasha Hussein concluded by saying:

“The Holy family's journey in Egypt is not only a cornerstone of Christian heritage, but also, it is successfully positioning Egypt as a major Christian pilgrimage destination, as well as illustrating the country as the one that fosters intercultural dialogue, coexistence, and preserves Coptic history.”

 

Fadi Mikhail spoke about the various components that make up the icon of the Holy Family, and signposted three main functions of icons in general, saying:

“Icons can educate. They offer information regarding everything we know about the subject. In this case, the flight to Egypt. The second, is a call or invitation to pray or to seek the person or the people who are in the icon, appreciate and even discuss the matter with them, and through them, Jesus Christ Himself. The third is a call to action, because an icon isn't just an inspirational image, but an image that should invite us to do whatever the person in the icon has succeeded in doing.”

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos spoke about the spiritual relevance and significance of God’s blessing upon Egypt in the book of Isaiah 18:19-25, saying:

“This was a prophecy before the Birth of Christ. It was a prophecy before the existence of Christianity or Islam. It was a prophecy and a blessing upon the land of Egypt. There is no denying its Christian heritage, and more recently its Muslim heritage, and of course, the Pharaonic origin, but that blessing was and is upon every person, because this is how God sees us and how He calls us to see one another.”

His Eminence continued:

“When we look at the route of the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt, it was extensive. It went from, as we heard Professor Rasha Hussein say, from border to border, it blessed the whole land. There was no distinction between rural Egypt and other parts, and that shows a blessing across the whole land.”

His Eminence concluded by saying:

“Egypt is a land that we all share today, and we must all share in its joys. There are many who continue to flag the differences and the challenges, but there are many good things. Tonight is one of them. What we are celebrating is one of them, and the blessing of our Lord on Egypt, unequivocally, unconditionally and without separation is certainly one of them. So I leave you with a verse from the Book of Isaiah 19:19, ‘In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt’.”

His Excellency Sherif Kamel spoke about the Government of Egypt’s efforts in promoting and preserving the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt, and spoke of its significance in Egypt’s history:

“The trail and each of its sites are not just a story of flight and refuge, but a living participant of Egypt's longstanding role as a sanctuary from threats and injustice. The Holy Family’s journey in Egypt is a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity and being part of that makes Egyptians today, and forever, proud and thankful. As we carry this history with us Egypt today continues to play a similar role, providing refuge to millions of our sisters and brothers, from a number of countries in Africa and West Asia.”

His Excellency concluded by saying:

“The Holy Family trail in Egypt is much more than a route on a map. In addition to its great religious significance, it is an important symbol of human solidarity, and our common human history, as well as a strong reminder of the lessons learned from that history and their importance. We are in dire need of these lessons today more than ever. At a time when human suffering is peaking and reaching unimaginable levels in the 21st century we have to remember that preserving humanity's future lies in helping one another, embracing one another, and respecting one another. These were the natural and instinctive notions by which Egypt received, more than two thousand years ago, the Holy Family, as welcome guests, and these are the principles that should guide all of humanity today and in the future.