Archbishop Nikitas at the Coptic New Year (Nayrouz)

On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 8, 2019, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain participated in the celebrations of the Coptic New Year’s Day (Nayrouz) at St. Margaret’s Church in Westminster Abbey, at the invitation of Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London.

In his address, Archbishop Nikitas referred to the historical links of the Orthodox Church with the Copts who have their roots in the East and called on Archbishop Angaelos to continue and support together the multifaceted cooperation of the two communities in the United Kingdom.

Finally, he wished that humanity would not relive moments of religious violence and terrorism not only in the Christian churches in the Middle East but also in any sacred place regardless of religion.

The festive event was greeted by messages from Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and Pope Francis.

The Ambassador of Egypt to the United Kingdom, Tarek Adel, attended the event.

Source: Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain