Difference between revisions of "Theodore II (Sobhi Baki Soleiman) of Alexandria"
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The papal selection process began several weeks before the 4 November selection. About 2,400 clergymen and others shortlisted three candidates: Bishop Theodoros, Bishop Raphael, a former aide to the previous Pope, Pope Shenouda III, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk in St. Mina's monastery near Alexandria, and the disciple of the [[List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria|116th Pope]], Pope Cyril VI. The process faced controversy as many congregates sought a greater say in the process. The three were considered consensus candidates as they were not involved in church disputes and were neither too conservative nor too liberal. | The papal selection process began several weeks before the 4 November selection. About 2,400 clergymen and others shortlisted three candidates: Bishop Theodoros, Bishop Raphael, a former aide to the previous Pope, Pope Shenouda III, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk in St. Mina's monastery near Alexandria, and the disciple of the [[List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria|116th Pope]], Pope Cyril VI. The process faced controversy as many congregates sought a greater say in the process. The three were considered consensus candidates as they were not involved in church disputes and were neither too conservative nor too liberal. | ||
| − | The ceremony to choose the pope from the three consensus candidates was held at Cairo's | + | The ceremony to choose the pope from the three consensus candidates was held at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral at about noon and featured a marked police presence. Prior to the selection, Metropolitan Pachomius of Behira, [[locum tenens]] of the Church, sealed the chalice with the names with red wax and put it upon the altar as he led Mass. He then told the congregation: "We will pray that God will choose the good shepherd." Following a moment of silence, a blindfolded boy then picked Theodoros' name from the chalice. The thousands of congregates in attendance then erupted in ovation, tears or prayer. In reaction Theodoros II said, from the monastery at Wadi El-Natrun: "[We] will start by organising the house from within. It is a responsibility. Most important is...that the church, as an institution, serves the community." Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi congratulated Theodoros and called for Egyptian "unity" and "brotherly love" between Copts and the Muslim community.<ref name="ap"/> |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 09:57, November 21, 2012
- For the Eastern Orthodox Pope with the same name and title, see Theodoros II (Choreftakis) of Alexandria.
Pope Theodoros II (in Arabic: البابا تواضروس الثاني) is the 118th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark since he took office on 18 November 2012, a fortnight after being selected.[1]
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Early life
Pope Theodore was born Wagih Sobhi Baki Soleiman (in Arabic: وجيه صبحى باقى سليمان) on 4 November 1952 in the region of Mansoura, Egypt.[2] He studied at the University of Alexandria, where he received a degree in pharmacy in 1975.[3] He then managed a state-owned pharmaceutical factory, when he entered the monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi El-Natrun to study theology for two years. He was ordained a priest in 1989.[4]
Views and issues
Theodoros has stated that the 2011 Egyptian revolution was a turning point in the Coptic Church's relations with its youth. Amongst his first tasks is the issue of Egypt's changing political landscape, given the new constitution and more independent-minded congregates who seek their demands outside the church in dealing with the state.[4]
Papal selection
The papal selection process began several weeks before the 4 November selection. About 2,400 clergymen and others shortlisted three candidates: Bishop Theodoros, Bishop Raphael, a former aide to the previous Pope, Pope Shenouda III, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk in St. Mina's monastery near Alexandria, and the disciple of the 116th Pope, Pope Cyril VI. The process faced controversy as many congregates sought a greater say in the process. The three were considered consensus candidates as they were not involved in church disputes and were neither too conservative nor too liberal.
The ceremony to choose the pope from the three consensus candidates was held at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral at about noon and featured a marked police presence. Prior to the selection, Metropolitan Pachomius of Behira, locum tenens of the Church, sealed the chalice with the names with red wax and put it upon the altar as he led Mass. He then told the congregation: "We will pray that God will choose the good shepherd." Following a moment of silence, a blindfolded boy then picked Theodoros' name from the chalice. The thousands of congregates in attendance then erupted in ovation, tears or prayer. In reaction Theodoros II said, from the monastery at Wadi El-Natrun: "[We] will start by organising the house from within. It is a responsibility. Most important is...that the church, as an institution, serves the community." Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi congratulated Theodoros and called for Egyptian "unity" and "brotherly love" between Copts and the Muslim community.[4]
References
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Template:Cite news
Sources
- Bishop Tawadros new pope of Egypt's Coptic Christians. BBC News. 4 November 2012 Last updated at 05:09 ET.
External Links
- Egypt's Coptic church chooses new pope. CBC News (AP). Nov 4, 2012 6:25 AM ET. (Pope Tawadros II picked from shortlist of 3 names drawn from chalice).
- Yasmine Saleh. Blindfolded child chooses new pope for Egypt’s Copts. National Post (Reuters). Nov 4, 2012 12:14 PM ET.
| Theodore II (Sobhi Baki Soleiman) of Alexandria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Shenouda III |
Pope of Alexandria (Coptic) 2012- (incumbent) |
Succeeded by: - |
