Address by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III Welcoming President Anwar Sadat at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for St. Mark Hospital
This address features His Holiness Pope Shenouda III welcoming President Mohamed Anwar Sadat during the foundation stone ceremony of St. Mark Hospital. The Pope reviews what he considers the President’s achievements in the areas of freedom, nation-building, the October Victory, and national unity. He also emphasizes the importance of cooperation among all citizens and serving humanity through healthcare and charitable institutions.
Spiritual Message
The Pope stresses that true goodness begins in the heart and that virtue is not produced through compulsion but through a genuine love of goodness. He explains that true repentance is not merely abandoning sin, but hating sin from within. He also affirms that the Church continually prays for the nation and its president, considering service to humanity and love for the homeland to be essential parts of its spiritual mission.
Educational Lesson
The Pope presents historical examples of Muslim-Christian relations throughout history, citing verses from the Qur’an and events from Islamic history that highlight justice, tolerance, cooperation, and mutual respect. He explains that the strength of a nation depends on national unity, the rule of law, respect for every person, and working together for the common good. He also praises the Egyptian Armed Forces and the achievements of the October War, linking them to the service and rebuilding of the nation.
Practical Application
The Pope encourages every person to cultivate goodness within the heart before expressing it through actions and to serve the homeland sincerely without discrimination. He also calls for preserving love among all citizens and supporting projects that benefit society, such as hospitals, as practical expressions of love and faith. He concludes by praying for Egypt, its president, and its armed forces, asking that the new hospital become a blessing and a service to all the people of the nation.
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