On Sunday, Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark in Alexandria, celebrated the Feast of Pentecost Mass at the Church in Mariout, before sustaining a minor health setback involving a slight inflammation of the facial nerve.
Moussa Ibrahim, the official spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, announced that the diagnosis came following meticulous medical examinations. He added that the doctors recommended a period of rest for the Pope, along with some medication and sessions of physical therapy.
Moussa noted that any pastoral meetings initially scheduled for His Holiness Pope Tawadros in the coming days have been postponed, while previously arranged individual meetings will continue as planned.
He concluded, “We pray for a swift recovery and complete health for our pope”
Today, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated “Pentecost” or the “Feast of Weeks”, known as the fiftieth day after Easter. This Christian holiday commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ ten days after His Ascension, as described in the book of Acts.
Pentecost is one of the Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church, a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a Festival in the Lutheran Churches, and a Principal Feast in the Anglican Communion. Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration.
