{{oriental}}[[Image:FrBishoyKamel.jpg|right|thumb|Fr St. Bishoy Kamel ([[December 6|6 December]] 1931-[[March 21|21 March]] 1979)]] The [[Coptic]] Orthodox arch-priest [[archpriest]] '[[Abouna]]' '''Bishoy Kamel''' (1931-1979) was born Samy Kamel in Sirrs-Alliaan, Menoufia, Egypt, in1931. Raised He was raised in Damenhour, Egypt , where he received his early education. Heattended the school School of Sciences, Alexandria University, and graduated withB.Sc. degree in 1951. While working as a Science teacher in public schools,he continued his postgraduate at Alexandria University and received a degree in literaturein 1954 and was appointed an instructor at the Education College,Alexandria University. He was ordained [[priest]] in December 1959.

During his early life as a teacher and Sunday School Servant, he was a very active [[Church ]] servant, and also offered free tutoring to kids who needed help. When he became [[priest]], hekept that promise of full time service to the last breath. He so despisedmaterial things, that material things were thrown under his feet. An eyewitness saw him one night at the Church puzzled because a young woman cameasking for financial help. She was followed by a student asking for moneyto pay college registration fees. This little worry did not last long. Ourlate Fr. Bishoy asked them both to wait. While waiting, a little girlwalked in and handed him an envelope stuffed with money. When he asked hername, She just answered saying: "My mother Mary sends this to you." All theneeds were met that night. In Egypt, feasts ([[Christmas]],[[Theophany|Epiphany]], [[Easter]]) are celebrated at night. The late Fr. Bishoy Kamel always went todistribute food and gifts to some of the needy in his [[congregation ]] afterthe feast mass service. Because he always felt the importance of sharing the meaningof the Lord's feasts. His wife got used to it.

He started [http://www.stgeorge-sporting.org/ St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Sporting,Alexandria ] (where he is buried). Some advised him not to accept havingassociate priests, but he was not the one to fear competition. The numberof priests at the Church reached five and all had more work than they coulddo. By the standards of his time, he was but a young man running a bigCathedral and very good at it!

He was instrumental not only in increasing the number of priests inhis church, but also in starting new churches. Following are some ofthe churches he helped found. In Alexandria, Egypt: St. George, in Sporting; St. George, inHadra; Arch-Angel Michael, in the district of Mostafa Kamel; St. TaklaHemanout, in Ibrahemia; St. Mary and St. Cyril, in Cleopatra; St. Peter, inSeedy Bishr; and abroad: St. Mark in Los Angeles, California. He indirectly helpedfound the Church in Denver and the Church in Houston amongothers. Not including his efforts in Europe and Australia.

The purchase of a church for the early Egyptian immigrant to theUSA in Los Angeles is a wonderful story of faith and trusting the Lord: Thecongregation was just starting in the late 60's when Fr. Bishoy Kamel wassent to Los Angeles in 1969. They initially used a Syrian Orthodox Churchbuilding. Then came the opportunity to purchase a $100,000 existing churchbuilding which was previously used by a Russian Orthodox Congregation onRobertson Blvd., Near Hollywood. The congregation had $500 in thetreasury. Some of the prominent people warned Abouna (Fr.) Bishoy: "Don'tget us in debt!" In a short order he raised $23,000. Some of this money wassmall loans from new immigrants who had very little to give. He took a caband went to the bank to pay the down payment, and sign the papers for amortgage loan. In his excitement, he left the unmarked envelope full ofcash ($23,000) on the seat and when he realized it the taxi was gone. Hewent in, told the loan officer that he misplaced the money, and neededsometime to find it or replace it. He went home sad feeling he had failedeverybody, and on top of it all some will think Abouna is a thief?

Abouna had an unpleasant day, the envelope was not marked. Hecould not think of a way to prove he had money! After midnight, there wasknock on the door. Fr. Bishoy asked Tassony (Sister) Angel his wife to openthe door. Was surprised to see the cab driver. The man confessed. After youleft, I looked back so that envelope. Picked up and found it full ofcash. Not marked. I though about keeping it. Drove around and around. ThenI said this man must be a minister or a priest or something. But, even if Iwant to give him the money back how could I find him. I then thought if Idescribe the way you are dressed and the way you looked, somebody might beable to lead me to you. That is how I found out that you must be Coptic(Egyptian) and the way to your apartment which was then church address. Theman refused to accept the customary 10% reward and even paid a donation!

Fr. Bishoy loved the [[cross ]] dearly, no wonder his departure was onthe third day of the feast of the Cross. He gave the titles: "Under thefeet of the Cross", and "With [[Christ ]] Crucified" to two books he wrote. Hismost favorite possession was a picture of Christ crucified and MaryMagdeline Magdalene kneeling under his feet. This picture he hanged on the wall abovehis bed.

Fr. Bishoy Kamel was always concerned about his own salvation and faithfully bore his cross of pains and disease (cancer), which he used to call 'the disease of the Paradise'. Herarely talked about his personal life. He and his wife Angel lived asvirgins. He always hid himself behind the cross. His ministry was that of atrue loving and caring Father, Brother, and Friend. Not just a priestperforming the duties of his office. On the nights of church feasts, and assoon as he completed the church service, he ran out to visit those inneed. Accompanied by his wife or going separate ways, they did as much asthey could, and brought back some of the people from out of town to theirhome the night of the feast.

He did not allow people to speak evil about others in his presenceand always had something nice to say about others, especially, those whodiffered with him following the words of the Apostle: "Love suffereth long,and is kind, Love vauneth vaunteth not itself, ... thinketh not evil .." (1 Cor13:1-13).

His preaching was deep in spiritual meaning, and seasoned with theword of God presented in practical terms. It was supported by examplesfrom: the [[Bible]], Church history, [[tradition]], and the life of the [[Saints]]. Hisvoice in the [[Liturgy ]] was low (you can even say weak) but very comforting tothe listeners. This brought great multitudes to church not only for theliturgy but for the evening prayers as well. He was so humble, many a timehe wondered why people praised him. He always felt he was not deserving, ashe always felt he did not do enough. His example is clearly felt in thosewho new him and also in those who just heard about him.

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church headed by H.H. Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria declared on June 9, 2022, in Egypt, the official recognition by the Church of Father Bishoy Kamel as Saint. ==Sourcesand further reading==* [http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/The_Transfigured_Cross.pdf The ''Transfigured Cross: A Study of Father Bishoi Kamel (6 December 1931- 21 March 1979)'' by John H Watson]* [https://accot.stcyrils.edu.au/authors/fr-bishoy-kamel/ Fr Bishoy Kamel (1931–1979) | Archive of Contemporary Coptic Orthodox Theology]

* http://www.suscopts.org/mightyarrows/vol1_no4/frbishoy.pdf* [http://www.zeitunstgeorge-egsporting.org/frbishoy/frbishoyphotos1.htm Photo album of Father Bishoy Kamel]*[http://www.mycopticchurch.netcom/articles/members_contribread.asp?f=spiritual/The_Transfigured_CrossFBKApostles.pdf html The ''Transfigured Cross: A Study Journey of Father Bishoi the Pure Apostles - by Fr. Bishoy Kamel (6 December 1931]*[http://www.mycopticchurch.com/articles/read.asp?f=spiritual/FBKIsaiahLent.html The Journey Through Lent with Isaiah the Prophet - 21 March 1979)'' by John H WatsonFr. Bishoy Kamel]