Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America Hosts 40 Day Memorial for Botroseya Martyrs


Holmdel, NJ – On Friday, January 13, 2017, H.G. Anba Karas and the clergy and laity the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America hosted a 40 Day Memorial Service for the 28 Martyrs of the Botroseya Church Bombing at St. Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Holmdel, NJ. Religious and civic leaders – including New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez (D) (in person) and Cory Booker (D) (via pre-recorded video) – gathered to participate in a somber celebration of vespers in the Coptic rite, followed by joyous renditions of the hymns “My Coptic Church” and “Of All Nations” and speeches from the dignitaries. In addition to keynote speaker Bishop Karas and the New Jersey Senators, participants included:

H.E. Mor Silvanos Ayub of the Knanaya-Syriac Archdiocese of North America and Europe
H.G. Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England
H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos of the Northeast Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadkjian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in the USA (representing H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian)
V. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Alkass of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Eastern United States (representing H.E. Mor Dionysios Jean Kawak)
V. Rev. Fr. Amde Tsion-Durden of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York (representing H.E. Abune Zekarias)
V. Rev. Fr. Philip Latronico of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark (representing H.E. Cardinal Joseph Tobin)
H.E. Ahmed Farouk, Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in New York
Mr. Warren Cofsky of the US State Department (representing Ambassador-at-large Saperstein)
Dr. Hossam Abdel-Maksoud, President of the Egyptian American Community Foundation
Mr. Mark Morgan of the Coptic Lawyers Association

A letter was also read on behalf of NJ Congressman Chris Smith (R).