: His Holiness the Pope’s Interview on “Hadith Al-Thikrayat” (Sawt Al-Arab) – A Brief Biography
The conversation discusses the memories of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s childhood and life, beginning with his early years in Assiut and his moves to Damanhur, Banha, Alexandria, and then Cairo, along with his different stages of education. It appears from the conversation that the death of his mother immediately after his birth was one of the events that affected his childhood, but he found much love and care around him from his family and from Christian and Muslim women.
Spiritual Message
Pope Shenouda explains that deprivation can be used by God for good, and that a person can compensate for what he has lost through abundant love and good relationships with others. The conversation also shows the importance of a person’s relationship with God, because the relationship with the world ends, while the relationship with God, the angels, the saints, righteousness, and virtue continues forever.
Educational Lesson
Reading played a fundamental role in shaping his personality, as he read literature, stories, sciences, social subjects, and religious and spiritual books, while emphasizing that a person should read in many fields, but carefully, taking what is beneficial and leaving what is harmful. He also emphasizes the importance of guidance and care during childhood and youth, because direct prohibition can sometimes produce the opposite result, whereas calm guidance helps a young person make the right choices.
Academic Life and Talents
Pope Shenouda excelled academically and had many friendships with his classmates, while also taking a strong interest in research and social activities at university. Poetry was one of his main interests; he began writing it at an early age instinctively, then learned its rules, meters, and rhymes, and he preferred poetry that combined depth of meaning with musical beauty in its words.
Practical Application
The conversation teaches us that difficult circumstances should not prevent a person from growing; rather, they can become a means for good when approached positively. It also encourages loving others, developing reading and culture with careful selection, and accepting spiritual and educational guidance. Most importantly, a person should build his relationship with God from now, because this relationship continues into eternal life.
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