# Coptic Orthodox Church says Pope Tawadros II performed monastic rites for seven novices The new nuns joined the monastic community at the Convent of St. George the Martyr, the church said. By the Church Desk of Coptic News. - Published: 14 October 2026, 02:44 New York time (2026-10-14T06:44:42+00:00) The Coptic Orthodox Church said on 1 September 2026 that Pope Tawadros II performed monastic rites for seven novices at the Convent of St. George the Martyr in Haret Zuweila and Sidi Kreir. The prayers took place at the Convent of St. George the Martyr in Sidi Kreir, where seven new nuns joined the monastic community of the Convent, the church said. The new nuns are Nun Apollonia, Nun Apivieh, Nun Agia, Nun Abigail, Nun Agnes, Nun Axani, and Nun Eudokia. Five bishops, Fr. Abraam Emil, the Patriarchal Vicar General in Alexandria, and several priests participated in the prayers, according to the church. Mother Athanasia, the Abbess of the Convent, participated in the prayers alongside the monastic community of nuns of the Convent and abbesses from other convents, the church said. During the Divine Liturgy homily, Pope Tawadros II expressed joy regarding the growth of monastic life in the Convent and the addition of the seven new nuns. Pope Tawadros II highlighted the repeated phrase "for My name’s sake" found in the Divine Liturgy's Gospel reading. Referring to the final verse of the day's Gospel reading, "By your patience possess your souls" (Luke 21:19), the Pope noted that patience allows a nun to live her monastic life and become a saint, the church said. ## Sources 1. [H.H. Pope Tawadros II Prays the Monastic Rites for Seven New Nuns at the Convent of St. George the Martyr in Haret Zuweila and Sidi Kreir](), Coptic Orthodox Church. Published 2026-09-01. Accessed 2026-10-13. --- - Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - Canonical URL: https://coptic-news.com/2026/10/coptic-orthodox-church-says-pope-tawadros-ii-performed-monastic-rites-for/