When were you born?

I was born on the 8th of May 1963 which happens to be the day of St Mark’s Feast

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What is your wife and children names?

My wife’s name is Tasoni Sohair. I have two sons - Bishoy is 28yo and John 24yo. All of them are still living in Egypt

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Which church did you attend in Egypt growing up?

In my early years I was raised and was attending at St Mark’s Church, Heliopolis - Cleopatra. I was then later ordained and served as a deacon in St Mary Church, Zeitoun 

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When were you ordained a priest and where did you serve?

I was ordained a priest by His Holiness The Late Pope Shenouda III on the 31st of October 1992 at St George Church, Mansheyat Elbakry after it was newly built in 1978. I was then elevated to the rank of Hegumen by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II on the 17th of March 2016 at St Mark’s Cathedral, Abbasiya. In the year of 2016 I arrived in Perth, Western Australia where I served for 3 months at St Mary & Archangel Michael Church then returned back to Egypt. I then went back to Perth to serve in September 2017. At the request of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, I arrived in Melbourne on the 28th of July 2019, to serve the beloved congregation of St Mark’s Church, Preston.

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What is your vision for St Mark’s Church?

My vision for St Mark’s Church is for everyone to be a servant in the church, old and young. And that the congregation unites as one family and body in Christ. 

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Could you give a message to the youth?

I remind the youth of a famous quote by Pope Shenouda III - “we need to focus on the youth as they are the future of the church”. We must develop the church while still maintaining the authenticity of our Coptic Orthodox identity and traditions. Without strong roots we cannot bear fruits.