Mar Yulios- Pope Tawadros II, of the Coptic Orthodox Church, to meet on March 9

CAIRO: Ahmadabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pullikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios will hold talks with Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, on March 9, Wednesday. The Indian Orthodox Metropolitan is on a 10-day maiden visit to Egypt, the base of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The visit undertaken during the Lenten season will help further boost the ecumenical ties between the two traditional Oriental Orthodox churches. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Holy See of St Mark, Alexandria. During the visit, Dr Mar Yulios will be based at the St Anthony’s monastery, a Coptic Orthodox monastery standing in an oasis in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, in the southern part of the Suez Governorate. His Grace will also deliver lectures on theology at the monastery and experience monastery life and take part in spiritual retreat seasons. The Metropolitan will also visit the St Mark Cathedral in Alexandria, the St Mark Cathedral in Cairo, St Anthony Monastery and several other locations like the famous Coptic hanging church or the St Mary’s Church and the St Makarious nunnery at Old Cairo. Earlier, upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport airport on March 6, the Metropolitan was received by Aboona Markose and Hani representing the Coptic Orthodox Church. Rijo Geevarghese, a spiritual son of the Bishop, presently pursuing iconography studies at The Institute of Coptic Studies in Caro, nephew Ginu Panakal and Mrs Panakal. Mar Yulios was invited by the Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Heliopolis for the 10-day visit.