“Qualifications for Service (1)": Washing of the Feet, a New Series of Sermons From His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in the Wednesday Meeting
On the evening of Wednesday 26 June 2024, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, resumed the weekly Wednesday meeting, after it stopped at the end of the Holy Forty Days of Lent. The meeting was held in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, which was filled with attendees from members of the church. Before the start of the vesper prayers, His Holiness visited the International Book Fair, which is held annually in the courtyard of St. Mark’s Cathedral, as well as an employment forum for youth and graduates, organized by the leaders of the youth service in Alexandria.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II prayed the raising of incense of vespers, with the participation of the General Bishops supervising the pastoral sectors of Alexandria, Hegumen Abraam Emil (Deputy General of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), and a large number of priests from Alexandria.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II listened to a number of distinguished students’ projects, including a railway development project and a waste separation machine project. He then honored 44 of the top university students and 26 of those who obtained postgraduate degrees.
His Holiness delivered the sermon, congratulating the people of the church on the beginning of the fast of the Apostolic Fathers, and thanked the hosts of the honoring ceremony, congratulating the achievers.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II explained the importance of the Apostles’ Fast as it is a fast of service. He indicated that he would begin a new educational series entitled “Qualifications for Service,” noting that it would extend beyond the end of the Apostles’ Fast.
In today's sermon, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II discussed the first qualification for service, which is "washing of the feet." Pope Tawadros reflected on the verse: "Rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded" (John 13:4-5).
He explained that the importance of this qualification is summarized in the details involved in washing of the feet, which are:
1- Love
2- Taking off clothes
3- Humility
4- Wisdom
5- Purity…
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