Victoria: Coptic Easter – Prayers for Peace

Coptic Church Australia

The Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia will be praying for peace and an end to Christian persecution at Churches around the country following the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya.

Coptic Easter celebrations pray for peace

Australian Copts fear for persecution of Middle East Christians

One of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Easter this weekend amidst fears for its brothers and sisters in the Middle East.

Copts in Australia will be praying for peace and an end to Christian persecution at Churches around the country following the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya.

We must continue to forgive these acts or risk a spiral of hate and violence. We open our hearts to love all human beings, regardless or race, religion or creed, and encourage Australians to stand for all humanity,” said His Grace Bishop Suriel, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, New Zealand and Fiji.

“Forgiveness is a message that is more powerful than any violence, hate, evil or sword. If we can participate, if even in a small way, in the forgiveness that Christ showed to all of us on the cross, we may learn to live peacefully with each other.”

A Coptic Easter service will be held at 9pm Saturday 11th April 2015 at the Coptic Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael and St Anthony Church, 136 Drummond Street, Oakleigh.

What: Coptic Easter service

When: 9pm Saturday 11th April 2015

Where: Coptic Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael and St Anthony Church, 136 Drummond Street, Oakleigh, Victoria

More information: Alex St Claire 0406 046 471 or alex@stclairepr.com

About the Coptic Orthodox Church

The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian church in Egypt and the Middle East. It is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world; the Coptic Orthodox Church began in 55AD when Saint Mark the apostle arrived in Egypt. Today there are 12 million Copts worldwide. The word ‘Copt’ basically meaning ‘Egyptian’, as derived from the Greek word ‘Aigyptos’. Photographed here, is Bishop Suriel, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions