The Archbishop of Canterbury was in Egypt last week to celebrate the launch of the new Anglican/Episcopal Province of Alexandria on October 8th. Archbishop of Alexandria described the visit as an
“historic event with an international importance, given Welby’s position succeeding the United Kingdom’s royal family in official ceremonies according to English tradition”
During his visit, Archbishop Welby launched the Anglican Church’s province number 41, which was named "Alexandria" due to the city’s important position in the ancient Christian world. The area overseen by the newly installed Archbishop of Alexandria includes ten countries: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Chad, Ethiopia, Eretria, Djibouti, Somalia, with Egypt as the main seat due to its role in serving refugees and its efforts in Islamic-Christian dialogue.
Along with the official service of celebration for the Province of Alexandria, the visit provided multiple opportunities to worship together, see first hand the ministries of the Anglican Church in Egypt and meet with the religious and political leaders in the country.
The Archbishop of Canterbury began his visit to Egypt by visiting the Monastery of Anba Makari al-Qibti in Wadi al-Natrun, to spend time for prayer and meditation there. Archbishop Justin tweeted on 7th October:
Inspiring to begin this visit to #Egypt at St Macarius Monastery in Wadi Natrun, founded in 360 AD. Very moving to pray in this ancient place, which has also now reclaimed 1000s of acres through innovative agriculture. Excellent spiritual conversation with the monks here.
On his next stop, Justing Welby was shown around the Harpur Memorial Hospital in Sadat in Menoufia Governorate accompanied by Dr. Hany Abadir, director of the hospital. He presented the staff with flowers, inspected its various wings, and opened a new wing for preterm infants nurseries that provide medical services to all Egyptians at nominal prices.
In his speech during the hospital visit, Archbishop Sami Fawzy congratulated the hospital staff for their wonderful efforts in the medical work that had been lovingly provided since the opening of the hospital and added,
I congratulate you on the occasion of completing the work of intensive care for premature babies and nurseries under the auspices of the British charitable funds.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was accompanied on his trip to Egypt by his wife, Caroline Welby, who took the opportunity to visit the students of the Nuba Mountains Institute of Bible Sciences of the Episcopal/Anglican Church and listen to the students’ tell of the studies, their challenges, and experiences. Most of the students have come from Sudan and the Nuba Mountains and said that the challenges were hard and many in the beginning, but that they experienced a welcome and support from the Episcopal/Anglican Church which had helped them to move forward in their lives in Egypt.
Whilst in Egypt, Archbishop Justin grasped many opportunities to meet with other church leaders, including His Holiness PopeTawadros II of the Coptic Church and the Coptic Catholic and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Alexandria, and other faith leaders including the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar’s. He expressed the importance of dialogue and the gift of friendship at a time of great crises across the world.
During the visit, Archbishop Welby participated in a sports activities organized by the Together We Plant a Tree of Hope project, which brings together Muslim and Christian youth with the aim of enriching the culture of dialogue and coexistence among all. He tweeted:
Visit the Province of Egypt's news section on their website to read more of the Archbishop of Canterbury's
You can read Archbishop Justin's sermon at Thanksgiving for the Province of Alexandria in Cairo | The Archbishop of Canterbury website and follow him on Twitter @JustinWelby
