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Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller has sent a message of support to Canada’s Coptic Orthodox bishop after the destruction of a Surrey church described as a “haven” for new Canadians and ancient holy rites.

In a letter to Bishop Mina of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada, Archbishop Miller said, “On behalf of Roman Catholic priests, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I extend my prayers and sincere condolences on the tragic burning of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey, B.C.”

The Archdiocese of Vancouver also issued a statement Thursday condemning the attacks on churches and saying it looks forward to “continuing on the peaceful path towards reconciliation.”

The statement said the archdiocese joins with “the many First Nations and Indigenous leaders who have publicly called for a stop to these destructive acts.”

The statement expressed appreciation for “the diligence and care shown by the police in Vancouver and other jurisdictions for their commitment to the protection of property and people.”

The Surrey Coptic Orthodox church was the most destructive attack on a church in Metro Vancouver. Firefighters arrived at St. George’s in the early hours of Monday and focussed on protecting nearby buildings, after flames had already consumed much of the church. Everything was burned, including all religious artifacts, a wide array of iconography, and a number of other facilities including a library.

St. George’s was the centre of a relatively young, Coptic Orthodox, immigrant community. Parishioner Anthony Tadros estimates there were only about 17 Coptic families in the area when he immigrated to Canada in 1975.

He recounted that the first liturgies were held in living rooms and rented church halls, with a priest flown in every six months to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

In 1998, St. George’s became the first officially consecrated Coptic Orthodox Church in British Columbia. The late Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and the 117th Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presided over the consecration.

St. George’s Church provided a place for people to “practice their faith and socialize with others of their own culture and mother tongue,” said parishioner Anthony Tadros. (Nick Elbers photo)

Today, the community of several hundred families places special emphasis on charitable obligations towards immigrants, with the church website listing numerous services for newcomers including airport pick-ups, help finding affordable lodgings and work, resume writing and tax filing assistance, and cultural education.

The church provides “a place where they can practise their faith and socialize with others of their own culture and mother tongue,” Tadros told The B.C. Catholic.

“On a spiritual level, via the sacraments, [the church] is a place where one [feels] connected to his maker and enriches one’s sonship with the holy trinity.”

An official statement from the church called it a “haven,” not just for people, but for the “ancient holy rites” and traditions that make up the spiritual lifeblood of the church.

“Our church was more than a building. It brought together a diverse congregation of Coptic, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Iraqi, and Lebanese Orthodox believers,” said the statement.

For Bishop Mina, the Coptic bishop for Western Canada, rebuilding is a priority.

“While today is a day of sadness, we will not be deterred and we will rebuild. Our church will always be open for all and continue to be a beacon of light and hope for all in our community,” he said.

In his letter to Bishop Mina, Archbishop Miller said the destruction was “a tremendous loss to the Christian churches in British Columbia,” adding he was pleased to see a rebuilding campaign was already started.

Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadras II meets with Archdiocese of Vancouver Vicar General Father Joseph Nguyen at St. George’s Coptic Orthodox Church in 2014. The church was destroyed by fire Monday. (B.C. Catholic files) 

Archbishop Miller also noted that in 2014 representatives of the Archdiocese of Vancouver attended a liturgy at St. George’s led by the the Coptic Orthodox pope, Patriarch Tawadros II.

Archdiocese of Vancouver vicar general Father Joseph Nguyen, now the bishop of Kamloops, attended and noted the importance of the gathering and the promotion of Christian unity, remarking, “We need to pray for and support one another.”

Archbishop Miller joined a call by Bishop Mina for elected officials to “take the necessary steps to protect all places of worship and to support communities of faith during this difficult time. It is my hope that officials will speak out and condemn the attacks that have taken place in Christian places of worship in recent weeks.”

His letter to Bishop Mina ended, “Let us pray that our support for one another will continue and that Mary, Queen of Peace, will intercede for us as we ask for God’s blessings and protection.”

The Multi-faith Summit Council of British Columbia has also released a statement of solidarity stating “we firmly believe in the sanctity and safety that should exist for all sacred spaces in which people enjoy fellowship and communion with God.”

The council, of which the Archdiocese of Vancouver is a member, said it was “deeply saddened by the damage, destruction and defacing that has recently been perpetrated on houses of worship,” including St. George’s.

“We pray that all citizens will seek dialogue and not violence to resolve differences. We continue to welcome people who wish to reach out to us to discuss sensitive community issues.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs also condemned the latest attack, saying it was “angered and deeply saddened” by the destruction of another church.

“We condemn these acts of violence, we stand in solidarity with those impacted, and we note that Indigenous leaders have roundly rejected these attacks stating they do nothing to help Canada’s first peoples.”

Investigations are ongoing as to the source of the fire, but RCMP are treating the fire as suspicious. A woman is being sought by RCMP for attempted arson on the property last Wednesday.

St. George’s is accepting donations for the rebuilding effort on its website.


An estimated 300 people gathered to mourn the loss of St. George’s church in Surrey. (Nick Elbers photo)

Words of hope shared at prayer vigil

As a prayer vigil for St. George Coptic Orthodox Church began July 21, with the ashes of the church still visible behind the podium, a baby’s cry broke the air – a fitting commencement to a service so rooted in pain and loss, but also in hope for the future.

About 300 people gathered to pray and mourn the loss of a church where the community had shared “baptisms and chrismations, weddings and funerals, laughter and tears.”

Among those attending were the Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Western Canada, Vancouver and Mississauga, Bishop Mina; the church’s first serving priest, Father Angelos Saad; many members of the area’s Coptic and Orthodox leadership and clergy; Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum; and some local politicians.

People came forward throughout the night of prayers and songs to share words of encouragement, sorrow, and hope. Coptic and Orthodox unity was a significant theme of the night as speakers emphasized the spiritual value of suffering in the face of adversity.

Orthodox priest Father P. C. George said, “We are one Church! And this is a witness when we turn around and we see all these beloved priests and brothers and sisters from all over the community coming together … that you are not alone in this.”

Steven Faltas, emcee for the event, called the destruction of the church “devastating, heartbreaking and incomprehensible.”

“But the scriptural words of St. Paul have prepared us for this day: ‘we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but we do not despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed,” Faltas said.

“Though the weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.”

RCMP have labelled the fire as suspicious and community leaders believe the fire was intentionally set.

Father Raphael Ghaly said, “I never thought the day would come to hear this taking place in Canada. How did our beloved country, Canada, reach a point where places of worship are burned? What happened to law and order?”

Despite the grim theme, hope for the future shone through in messages such as that by Father George: “Our God is a living God. Our God is a loving God. Our God is a peaceful God. And in this heap of ashes he will build another Church; he will build one, and the word of God will reach like a beacon of light to the community you serve.”

With files from The B.C. Catholic.


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