Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates El-Nayrouz 

On Wednesday, 18 September, members of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Sydney and Affiliated Regions gathered at NSW Parliament House to celebrate the Coptic new year -  El-Nayrouz.

The event was organised by the Diocesan Public Relations Office under the guidance of Papal Legate, the Very Rev. Fr. Joshua Tadros, and the Diocesan Board of Trustees.

Among the many speeches delivered during the evening, were ones by Fr Joshua Tadros, Papal Legate, Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions; The Hon. Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for small business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism & Sport; His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Khalil, Consul General of Egypt in Sydney; His Grace, Bishop Daniel, Bishop of the Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions.

Those in attendance were honoured by the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Asheia of Tahta and Juhayna, who is currently visiting Sydney. The event was also well attended ecumenically by religious and community leaders, including NCCA General Secretary, Ms Liz Stone.

What is Nayrouz?

Nayrouz commemorates martyrs and confessors in the Coptic Orthodox Church, celebrated on 11 September and 12 September during a leap year.  It marks the start of the Coptic new year and the first month, Thout. 

The feast is a time for reflection, honouring the faith of the martyrs, and it also coincides with the beginning of the agricultural year in Egypt. Celebrations include special church services and prayers for blessings in the new year.

"Blessed is God! In our time as well martyrs have come forth, and we have been made worthy to see people sacrificed for the Lod Christ, people who she their Holy blood to irrigate the entire church. We have been made worthy to see people, advocates of piety, who are victorious, who are crowned... and we now have these crowned ones among us."  St John Chrysostom (Early Church Father)

Above L-R: Very Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi (Kirawee Parish), His Eminence Metropolitan Asheia of Tahta and Juhayna, HG Bishop Daniel (of St. Shenouda Monastery in Putty) and HG Bishop Daniel (Bishop, Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions)		Above: Guests, Fr Anastasios (L) - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese; Liz Stone (CR) - NCCA General Secretary, David Rose (R) - NSW Ecumenical Council General Secretary, take a moment to chat with Fr Antony Mansour - Coptic priest.