Launching of the Second Annual Conference “We Witness Together” of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East at St. Mark’s Conference House - Cairo
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo - July 10, 2024
The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E. launched its second annual student conference at St. Mark's Conference House in the Obour area - Cairo.
The conference was organized and attended by The Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E., the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E. Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, Reverend Bishoy Helmi, the Associate Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., and Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfi, the Associate Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E.
Attendees and participants were also members of A.T.I.M.E.: Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Ishak Ibrahim Ajban Shenouda from the Institute of Coptic Studies, Dr. Michael Edward Abdo Mikhael from the Institute of Care and Education, and forty students from many countries.
The first day began with an opening Prayer according to the ritual of the Coptic Orthodox Church, followed by a speech by the A.T.I.M.E.’s President, Archimandrite Jack Khalil, in which he welcomed the participating students, whom in turn introduced themselves.
Afterwards, Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., delivered a speech in which he presented an extensive explanation about the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E.
Then, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfi, the Associate Executive Secretary from the Evangelical Church, spoke about the theme “Together We Bear Witness to the One God.”
The first day concluded with a pilgrimage visit to the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi - Cairo, where the students learned about its history and characteristics.
It was followed by a tour around the Nile River.
As for the second day, the students started it with a Liturgical Worship and meaningful spiritual conversations that enriched the students’ culture and knowledge.
The second day also included tours in the Pharaonic village and the Pyramids with the aim of learning about Egypt's ancient civilization.
