On September 20, 2026, Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, conducted a Sunday mass at the Church of St. George in Beba, Egypt. This event was part of his ongoing pastoral visit to various dioceses and monasteries in Upper Egypt. The mass was the second in the month of Toth, according to the Coptic calendar. It took place at the Church of St. George, which serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of Beba, Al-Fashn, and Samasta.
The Pope's visit to the region began on Saturday, September 19, 2026, and included stops at several dioceses and monasteries. His itinerary comprised visits to the dioceses of Malwi, Anshuna, and Al-Ashmunin, as well as the monasteries under their jurisdiction. These included the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael in Bahnesa and the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor in the Qalmon Mountains. The Pope was accompanied by Bishop Isthfanos of Beba, Al-Fashn, and Samasta, along with ten other bishops and a large number of priests.
During the mass, Pope Tawadros II delivered a sermon focusing on the virtue of love. He highlighted that the Coptic Church offers a spiritual program throughout the month of Toth, which has a lasting impact throughout the year. This program is based on the Gospel readings for each Sunday of the month, which discuss John the Baptist, love, and repentance. The Pope emphasized that love is the greatest virtue and cited Jesus Christ's commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, power, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself.
The Pope outlined three key characteristics of love: it should be comprehensive, active, and enduring. He explained that comprehensive love involves dedicating one's entire being to God and others. Active love is demonstrated through deeds, as the Bible states, "We love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth." The Pope cited the example of the Good Samaritan, who expressed his love through practical actions. Enduring love involves both contemplation and service, as exemplified by Mary and Martha.
Pope Tawadros II also discussed the significance of the month of Toth, which begins with the Feast of the Martyrs and continues with joyful days until October 17. He noted that the Gospel readings for the Sundays of Toth provide a spiritual program aimed at emulating John the Baptist's life, behavior, and steadfastness. The program encourages living in love and practicing repentance. The Pope concluded his sermon by emphasizing that love is the greatest virtue and encouraged the congregation to cultivate it in their lives.
The mass was attended by a large congregation, and the liturgy was conducted in accordance with Coptic Orthodox traditions. The Pope's pastoral visit to the region aims to strengthen the spiritual bonds between the Church and its flock, as well as to provide guidance and support to the local communities. This visit is part of his ongoing efforts to engage with various dioceses and monasteries across Egypt.
The Church of St. George in Beba, where the mass was held, is an important place of worship for the local community. The church's congregation was overjoyed to host the Pope and benefit from his spiritual guidance. The Pope's visit concluded with a sense of spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of the importance of love in the lives of Christians.
Key points
- Pope Tawadros II led a Sunday mass at the Church of St. George in Beba, Egypt, focusing on the virtue of love as part of his pastoral visit to Upper Egypt.
