A historic liturgy on November 4, 2012, in St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral located in the Abbassia District in Cairo, Egypt, concluded with the naming of the 118th pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomios, a young boy was chosen from among 12 children to pick one of the final three candidates who were His Grace Bishop Tawadros, His Grace Bishop Raphael and Hegomen Father Raphael Ava Mina.
The young child was blindfolded by His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomios. Following a minute of silence and prayer, the vessel carrying the names was opened and the young child picked one of the three papers which carried the name of His Grace Bishop Tawadros. His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomios, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, held the paper high for all those in attendance to see. The result was met with euphoric celebration from the congregation. The names of the other two final candidates were held up by His Grace Bishop Paula for transparency.
His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomios then congratulated the Coptic Orthodox Church and formally announced the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle as Pope Tawadros II.
May the Lord preserve his life and keep him for years to come as the shepherd of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
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