Egyptian Christians enthrone new pope

On Sunday Egyptian Christians enthroned their new patriarch, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. The service was several hours in length, and the daring are encouraged to view the video of the event below.

The enthroning happened at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Al Abbasiya, Cairo.

The Egyptian church was first established by the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, after he sojourned in Rome and then traveled south to Alexandria. Tawadros is now the 118th pope of Alexandria.

“He is to heal souls through the teachings of the Church and understanding of God’s heavenly word,” said one of the bishops in the ceremony.

The stakes are very high for the new patriarch and his church, as Islamic persecution has intensified. Coptic Christians make up about a tenth of the population.

Here’s an English translation of the service.

Here’s the video: