Activities of the training course for (30) new priests – Logos Center – Wadi El Natrun

Under the patronage of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the basic training course for new priests was launched at the Logos Center – Wadi El Natrun on Monday, August 5, 2024 AD, corresponding to Abib 29, 1740 A.M.

His Holiness the Pope met with the priests who are undergoing the basic training course organized by the Coptic Institute for Church Administration and Development (COPTICAD) during the forty-day period following their ordination. The group consisted of (30) priests whom His Holiness had ordained on July 4 and 6, 2024, for service in pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Cairo, some dioceses abroad, and the service of the See of St. Mark.

He delivered a speech titled “Essential Principles for the Success of a Priest’s Ministry,” inspired by the sayings of Saint John Chrysostom, which are:

First: Repentance “How beautiful is the icon of Christ depicted in the tears of a repentant person.” Your repentant heart is pure for your Christ “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Purity of heart is what will enable you to see God. Make your tears present to wash away your sins and your heart.

Second: Holiness: “The face sanctified by the sign of the cross cannot bow to Satan.” Beware of the heedlessness that precedes sin, and fortify yourself with the power of the cross and the anointing with chrism.

Third: Humility: “It is not important to be the sun, the moon, or even a star. What is important is to be in the sky,” through humility and prayer.

The basic training course runs from August 5 to August 10, 2024, and is delivered by specialized trainers and professors from the Coptic Institute for Church Administration and Development (COPTICAD), led by Dr. Magdy Latif El-Sandy, Dean of the Institute.

The training course included: concepts and practical methods in church administration and institutional work within the church; the pillars of wise stewardship (sound administration or governance in the church); principles of development from a Christian perspective; and the role of the priest in managing the church as an institutional system.

For more details on the official spokesperson’s page for the Coptic Orthodox Church: Click here

To watch the video of the Dean’s speech: Click here