El Maqar

The retreat is on February 3-5, 2012. We will be honored to have with us His Grace Bishop David. The topic will be “The New Life in Christ” (Eph 4 & 5).

To register and pay online, please visit: http://www.thecopticfamily.org

Many of those who attended Wednesday's rally called it a celebration of the downfall of an autocratic leadership, but others said they want a new revolution against the military rulers.

Egypt's military rulers have promised to hand over power after holding a presidential election by June. The military council led by Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi has made several apparent concessions to reformists in recent days.

It has pardoned about 2,000 prisoners and promised to partially lift the country's 30-year-long state of emergency beginning Wednesday. But, authorities will continue to apply the emergency law to fight acts of "thuggery"

New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch says the exception to the lifting of the law is an "invitation to continued abuse" and an "insult" to Egyptians calling for a return to the rule of law. It says Egypt's military rulers frequently have described "peaceful" demonstrators as "thugs" and put them on trial in military courts for the offense.

The first session was held on Monday January 23rd 2012, with Islamists dominating the 498-seat chamber that will oversee the drafting of a new constitution.

The session was chaired by Mahmoud el-Saqqah, the chamber's oldest lawmaker.

The chamber's top priority is to elect a 100-member panel to draft a new constitution, which will have to be put to a vote in a nationwide referendum. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held before the end of June, when the military generals are due to step down.

Note: As the Feast is on Friday, January 20th, there will be NO fasting on Friday January 20th.

Have you wondered why Jesus asked to be baptized?

Jesus’ baptism was a key event in the start of His ministry on earth. Following Jesus’ example, baptism is now used by many churches around the world to signify a public profession.

The Bible explains baptism as an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a person’s life. Many churches teach that baptism is an illustration of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
January 6, 2012

Statement by the President on the Celebration of Coptic Christmas

Michelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous Christmas. On this special day, we give thanks for the extraordinary contributions that Coptic Christians have made to the United States. I want to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christian and other religious minorities around the world. As events in Egypt and elsewhere have illustrated, and as history repeatedly reminds us, freedom of religion, the protection of people of all faiths, and the ability to worship as you choose are critical to a peaceful, inclusive and thriving society. In this Christmas season, we join our Coptic brothers and sisters around the globe in prayers for peace.