The West Island Blog was recently invited to take part in a historic event with the Coptic Orthodox churches of Montreal and the West Island.
On August 19th, 2019 at 6:55PM, his Grace Bishop Boulos arrived from Egypt to become the first Bishop to form the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Ottawa, Montreal and Eastern Canada. The Coptic Church has been in Canada since 1967 without a ruling bishop. After a very long-awaited time, 52 years, Pope Tawadrous II, the present ruling Pope for the Coptic Orthodox Church, has appointed Bishop Boulos for the Diocese.
I was lucky enough to have a sit-down interview with Bishop Boulos. He relayed to me that “…a Bishop’s role is to see from above his congregation, his children and to guide them the right way with the church.”
In the same interview, Adel Boulos an active member of the Coptic Community shared that “the congregation is very excited with the coming of Bishop Boulos. The people have been awaiting this moment for 52 years.”
A reception dinner was held on August 22nd, 2019 to celebrate the enthronement of his Grace. Over 500 people attended the event with numerous church leaders and politicians present. Many speeches were given by community members, religious and political personnel, all welcoming Bishop Boulos in his new responsibilities.
His Grace gave a speech and mentioned his vision /priorities in his new role for the Diocese:
2 Priorities among many others
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The youth – How to do deal with the Coptic traditions to blend with Canadian life.
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The Family – With his service here in Montreal for the last year and a half, at the time he was Father Boulos, he has noticed that families need better support and help.
One of the speakers of the night was Father Mikhail Aziz from the St-Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Montreal. Father Mikhail and his family arrived in Montreal 1975 and served as a deacon, then in 1994, he was ordained as a priest. His message was short and sweet and something that struck me in his message was when he mentioned the following:
Bishop Boulos – Enthronement Prayers at St-Mark Coptic Orthodox Church – Montreal, QC – Photo Credit: https://eccopts.ca[/caption]
“As an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to achieve unity among us that we all become one as our Lord Jesus said:” 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;“
The West Island Blog wishes all the best for his Grace Bishop Boulos with his new Diocese of the Coptic Churches of Ottawa, Montreal & Eastern Canada.
