Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

For the first time, Egypt witnessed two separate New Year’s ceremonies. The first one was

held at the Coptic Orthodox Church and headed by Pope Shenouda, and the second one held by Father Maximus at the

Church of Saint Athanasius al-Rasūlī in al-Muqattam.

Holding a separate New Year’s ceremony was not

the odd thing done at the Saint Athanasius Church in al-Muqattam. The odd thing was that Father Maximus tackled

political issues during his speech on the day of the ceremony where he discussed the proposed Constitutional

amendments in Egypt in detail. Maximus began his ceremony with the prayers that lasted for three hours and attended

by almost 300 worshippers; most of who were women and young girls. Maximus’ church, which was decorated with bells

and flowers, did not enjoy the expected media reporters on the day of the ceremony. There were also no official

representative of the state, eminent social characters or journalists present, for none of them were invited to

attend the ceremony.

After almost two hours of prayer, Maximus delivered his welcoming speech of the

ceremony that tackled Jesus Christ, his birth, his difficulties in life, and his journey to Egypt. However, all of

a sudden, Maximus changed the direction of his speech to talk about politics. "I would like to congratulate you on

the New Year," he said, "but I cannot ignore the great event that is taking place now in Egypt. It is the dream we

have been praying to come true. This event is the amendment of 34 articles from the Egyptian Constitution, starting

with article number one that states that citizenship rights are the basis of equality for all Egyptian

citizens."

Father Marqus ‘Azīz Khalīl was surprised with Maximus’ words, asserting

that the church is for preaching only. "Other issues should be discussed elsewhere, not in the church," he said.

"We, as Orthodox Christians," he added, "do not belief in the presence of Maximus, so, he is the only responsible

for what he says." He also added that political reform in Egypt should not be misused “in such boyish

way."

On the other hand, the ceremony held at the Coptic Orthodox Church was attended by thousands of

Orthodox Christians, Jamāl Mubārak, Mājid George, minister of environment, and Dr. Yūsuf

Butrus Ghālī, minister of finance. The ceremony was headed by Pope Shenouda who thanked President

Mubārak at the end of the ceremony and hoped for peace, prosperity and progress to spread among all

Egyptians.