Pope Tawadros II is enthroned

Sunday 18 Nov 2012

In a ceremony that began at 7:00 this morning at St Mark’s cathedral in Abassiya, Cairo, Pope Tawadros II was enthroned the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark.

The cathedral was decorated for the occasion with a flurry of white and red flowers, and the scouts and guides of the Church were on hand to usher the visitors and maintain order.
Guests included the presidential representative Mohamed Rifaa Tahtawi, the heads of political parties and movements, current and former cabinet members, as well as a number of public figures.
Holy Mass began and, once the Synaxarium (the history of the saints) was read, the enthronement ceremony began. The enthronement is usually placed right after the Synaxarium, to remind that the new pope is the last in a line of a two centuries old tradition of serving the Lord.
The enthronement ceremony of Coptic Orthodox patriarchs is detailed at http://www.wataninet.com/watani_Article_Details.aspx?A=33443

His Holiness Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, congratulates the Pope

Pope Tawadros was visibly moved and appeared to view in awe and reverence the responsibility he was to shoulder. He broke into tears several times during the ceremony, and finally calmed down when he was crowned and seated on the throne of St Mark. Especially moving for him and for all the congregation was the fact that he was being enthroned by none other than his beloved spiritual father Anba Pachomeus, Archbishop of Beheira, Matrouh, and Pentapolis; and acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church during the interim period between the death of Pope Shenouda III last March and the seating of Pope Tawadros II today. When Anba Pachomeus al last announced he had carried out his mission as interim patriarch, handed over the Church to her new pastor, and was returning back to his parish and people Pope Tawadros, who was already seated on the throne and carried the pastoral staff and the cross, broke into an uncontrollable sob. Pope Tawadros is Anba Pachomeus’s disciple and had served under him since he was a young student and until he took orders, then later as Bishop-General of Beheira. Today, however, Anba Pachomeus declared that Anba Tawadros had become his father and that, as such, he owed the new Pope full reverence and service.

H H Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, congratulates the Pope.
Catholicos of the East, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma
Paulose II is also seen.

To a deeply moved congregation, and upon request by Pope Tawadros, Anba Pachomeus read the first address of the new Pope to his people. Pope Tawadros focused on the need for one united flock, and a pastor who would work to serve and unite all with the bond of love. He thanked all who had come to share in the ceremony, and offered his sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones in yesterday’s bus accident in Manfalout, Upper Egypt. He asked for the congregation’s prayers for the Lord to help and support him carry out fully the responsibility he has been shouldered with.
There followed several words of congratulations by the heads of Churches who had come to attend the enthronement. First among them was the word of the Patriarch of Antioch Mar-Ignatius Zaka who had come from Damascus on a wheelchair to attend. He congratulated the Coptic Church and the Pope Tawadros whom he pledged to pray for and support, especially given the hard times Egypt and the whole world is going through. When Pope Mar-Ignatius Zaka concluded his word, Pope Tawadros descended the throne and rushed to warmly thank him.

Anba Pola, Bishop of Tanta and prime organiser of the enthronement ceremony, stood up and thanked every official and public figure by name for sharing in today’s event. Congratulations then flowed in as many rose to wish the new Pope well.
Holy Mass was then resumed, after which the new Pope, accompanied by the bishops, should visit the shrine of St Mark in the crypt under the altar.

Source: Watani International
Photos of Ceremony: 1, 2, 3, 4,5