“Stories of the Planted Tree” Series, in the

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II





“Stories of the Planted Tree” Series, in the



H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon this evening during the Wednesday meeting, from the Church of Saints Maximous and Domadious and Saint Moses the Strong on Street 45, in the Al-Asafra district of Alexandria. A number of bishops, priests, and congregation members were present, and the sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel, affiliated with the Church’s Media Center.

His Holiness prayed Vespers, joined by Their Graces: Bishop Pavly (General Bishop for the Churches of the Montazah Sector), Bishop Hermina (General Bishop for the Churches of East Alexandria), Bishop Archelides (General Bishop), Hegumen Abraam Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the church’s priests; and some of the priests of Alexandria, along with the church’s deacons’ choir and a large crowd that filled the church.

Before the sermon, the church’s priests and servants presented several segments celebrating His Holiness’s first visit to the church. A female servant recited a poem, and Fr. Moussa Gamal, one of the priests, explained the population density of the area, which exceeds 12,000 families—making it one of the largest churches in Alexandria in terms of congregation size. Hegumem Bimwa Ghaly gave a brief overview of the church’s history and foundation, while Fr. Yonathan Mahfouz presented the church’s various services, especially the development project for “Anba Abram’s Ministry” serving the poor and underprivileged families.

H.G. Bishop Pavly then welcomed His Holiness, highlighting the Church’s important role in partnering with the state to address the nation’s concerns through medical and educational services for all segments of Egyptian society.

Before beginning the sermon, His Holiness expressed his great joy at being present in the church, the warmth of the reception, and his meeting with the large number of people in the marquee adjacent to the church. He also thanked H.G. Bishop Bavly for his words, especially the church’s focus on education, health, and building schools and hospitals, affirming the Church’s role in sharing and safeguarding the homeland.

Pope Tawadros then began a new series titled “Stories of the Planted Tree”, designating the historical period from 251 A.D. to 451 A.D., starting with the birth of St. Anthony the Great, the Father of Monasticism, and ending with the year the Church was divided. Today’s first episode was titled “Stories of Our Strong Faith which we Live”, reflecting on (Jeremiah 17:7–8) and (1 John 5:1–4). His Holiness explained that the “tree” symbolizes the Church and its people.

He then clarified the meaning of Christian faith as follows:
Faith is a deep, living connection with a living person—God—and belonging to Him as the source of our life and existence. Therefore, faith is:
-A living existential awareness of God’s presence.
-A personal relationship between the individual and Christ.
Faith becomes transformed into a person’s life: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

His Holiness then explained: “How can a person live the Christian faith continuously?:

-God always seeks after man because He loves him and respects his freedom: “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
-By living a life of repentance: “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8).

He continued by asking: “Who is the Christian believer?”

The one whose life revolves around God:
“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The one who keeps the commandment:
“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
The one in whom God continually dwells: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26).
The one whose faith is Orthodox (sound), with upright thought, doctrine, and conduct:
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7).

Pope Tawadros concluded with the verse:
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).