# Coptic Orthodox Church says Pope Tawadros II attended Rakuti School graduation

The Pope attended the ceremony for the first batch of the Strong Food program, the church said.

![A simple wooden podium and a rolled diploma resting on a small table in a desert monastery courtyard.](https://coptic-news.com/2026/10/coptic-orthodox-church-says-pope-tawadros-ii-attended-rakuti-school/coptic-orthodox-church-says-pope-tawadros-ii-attended-rakuti-school.jpg)

Illustration: Coptic News

By the Church Desk of Coptic News.

- Published: 19 October 2026, 22:52 New York time (2026-10-20T02:52:23+00:00)

The Coptic Orthodox Church said on 19 October 2026 that Pope Tawadros II attended the graduation ceremony for the first batch of the Strong Food program at the Rakuti School for Bible Study. The event was held at Saint Mark's Coptic Academy in the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy in Wadi El Natrun, according to the church.

The graduating batch studied at Rakuti for seven years and consists of individuals aged 18 to 30, with a special section for listeners, the church said. The Rakuti School for Bible Study is a Coptic catechism school for youth affiliated with the Diocese of Assiut. In addition to the Strong Food program, the school offers the Body of Truth program, which provides specialized courses on the fundamentals of the Orthodox Christian faith, such as The Holy Trinity and the Mystery of the Incarnation and The Abundance of Grace.

During the ceremony, the Pope stated that the Church is traditional and conservative with a straight line in teaching, requiring only a new form of presentation. He explained that a successful triangle in the school consists of three elements: the youth, the Holy Bible, and the Church. The Pope noted that the area of this triangle is Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which is the vitality of the Coptic Church.

Anba Youannes, the Metropolitan of Assiut and Secretary of the Holy Synod, expressed gratitude to the Pope and the Saint Mark's Academy administration for hosting the Rakuti School batch and the school's conference, the church said. The Pope also thanked Father Barsoum, the priests, and the teachers, and expressed hope for the expansion of the school as it begins its eighth year.

## Sources

1. [قداسة البابا تواضروس الثاني يشهد حفل تخريج مدرسة راكوتي لدراسة الكتاب المقدس التابعة لإيبارشية أسيوط](<https://copticorthodox.church/2026/10/19/%d9%82%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a7-%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b6%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%87%d8%af-%d8%ad%d9%81%d9%84-43/>), Coptic Orthodox Church. Published 2026-10-19. Accessed 2026-10-19.

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