Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac presides over seminary opening Mass, church says
The Patriarch of Alexandria for the Coptic Catholics emphasized the importance of a deep spiritual life and maintaining Jesus Christ as the center of the vocation, the church said.
The Catholic Church in Egypt said on 14 September 2026 that Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Patriarch of Alexandria for the Coptic Catholics, presided over the opening Mass for the 2026–2027 academic year at the Theological Seminary in Maadi.
During a spiritual sermon, the Patriarch emphasized the importance of all academic subjects in the formation journey. He stressed that a deep spiritual life with God and maintaining Jesus Christ as the center of the vocation are the most important things, according to the church. The Patriarch encouraged his clerical deacon sons to develop a personal friendship with Christ, to allow God to shape and grow them, and to see Christ in all aspects of their studies, while wishing them an academic year of blessing, learning, and love for the Holy Gospel.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Romany Fawzy, the Dean of the Seminary, delivered a speech regarding the importance of the formation period in making a cleric. He stated that the vocation to witness for Christ starts from the first day and is not solely linked to ordination.
Regarding the theme of the year, “You are my witnesses,” the Dean of the Seminary explained that the world needs witnesses by deeds and life rather than just words. The Dean expressed gratitude to Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, the Bishops, and attendees for their support of the Seminary.