Lambeth Cross awarded to His Grace Bishop Angaelos

At a ceremony hosted by Lambeth Palace in London yesterday the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism was awarded by Archbishop Justin Welby to three leading ecumenists. Amongst the three was the co-chair of the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

The other two recipients of the Lambeth Cross were His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios (left) of the Greek Orthodox diocese of Thyateira and Great Britain and Revd. Canon Simon Stephens (right) who was for some years the Anglican chaplain in Moscow where he worked closely with the Russian Orthodox Church.

The LOI would like to congratulate all three men, but especially Bishop Angaelos, on this award which reflects their deep commitment to ecumenical relationships in contexts which bring together Orthodox and evangelical communities.  Bishop Angaelos’ citation reads:

“Awarded to His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, for his contributions to ecumenical and interfaith engagement and his tireless commitment to peace and reconciliation.

“Under  the  leadership  of  His  Grace  Bishop  Angaelos,  the  Coptic  community  has  become an active  and  valued  presence  in  UK  society.  In  establishing  the  Coptic  Centre  in  Stevenage, Bishop Angaelos has provided for the community  at large a vibrant hub  for ecumenical  and interfaith engagement. As a friend of the Church of England he has actively  fostered deeper understanding  and  collaboration  between  our  two  churches.  He played  a  key  part  in  the resumption of the Anglican Oriental Orthodox International Commission after a break of ten years.

“Bishop  Angaelos  has  been  a  powerful  advocate  for  peace  and  reconciliation.  His public interventions  concerning  the  political  instability  in  Egypt and  the  Middle  East,  for  example, sounded a reasonable and conciliatory tone, spoken from personal integrity and experience.

“He addressed the General Synod of the Church of England in July 2013, calling for pragmatic and intentional leadership in Egypt and for national reconciliation. At his request a meeting of solidarity and a service of prayer for Christians in the Middle East under the theme ‘rejoicing in their faith and sharing in their collective pain’ was held at Lambeth Palace and hosted by the Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  This  was  one  of  the  earliest  such initiatives attended  by  church leaders and community representatives in the UK.

“Bishop   Angaelos   is   widely   consulted   by    parliamentary    groups,   non-governmental organisations  and  partner  churches  for  his  insight  on  the  situation  of  Christians  and  other minorities  in  Egypt  and  the  Middle  East.    He  is  a  Christian  leader  and  an  influential  and significant  advocate  for  peace  and  reconciliation.  His legacy  will  continue  to  enrich  and strengthen the Churches across Britain.”

Source: Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative