Part 2: “The Attributes of Love

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II

Specialized Chapters Series in the Wednesday Meeting, Part 2: “The Attributes of Love”

H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon this Wednesday evening at the Church of St. George in El-Olali. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and on C.O.C., the Church’s Media Center online channel.

The church scouts welcomed His Holiness with their distinguished music. He encouraged them, and a photo was taken of the group surrounding His Holiness, accompanied by H.G. Bishop Raphael, General Bishop of the Central Cairo Churches, to which this church belongs. Commemorative photos were also taken with the church’s workers and council members together with His Holiness.

Pope Tawadros led the prayers of Vespers, joined by several bishops. Afterwards, H.G. Bishop Raphael gave a word of welcome to His Holiness, quoting the verse: “Whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3), as evidence of the fruitful works His Holiness has accomplished since his enthronement. He highlighted the Logos Youth Forum as a prime example of the many distinguished achievements completed over the past thirteen years. His Grace emphasized that all who interact with Pope Tawadros clearly see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in him. Turning to His Holiness, he said: “We are all obedient to Your Holiness,” adding, “The Church stands upon fatherhood, for fatherhood gathers all, and the head of the Church bears the title of ‘Baba’ (father).

Following this, a documentary about the history of the church was shown, entitled “The Upper Room: A History of Faith and Patriotism.” The church’s youth choir then chanted hymns and melodies. Hegumen Abram Naseem, senior priest of the church, welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the priests, deacons, and congregation.

Fr. Ishak Kamal, priest of the church, presented the landmarks of St. George’s Church, El-Olali, using “360 technology.” He noted the spirit of goodwill that marks their relationship with the neighboring Catholic church and the Evangelical church of El-Olali. He also praised the close ties with their Muslim neighbors, which were evident in the cooperation and unity shown in preparing the church to receive Pope Tawadros.

Before beginning the sermon, His Holiness expressed his joy at visiting the church, describing it rich in its history, clergy, congregation, and publications. He commended the slogan from the documentary, “A History of Faith and Patriotism,” highlighting both the church’s long-standing heritage and the faith handed down from generation to generation. He stressed that the Coptic Orthodox Church is indeed a national church—always present in the national movement and always devoted to serving, preserving, and safeguarding the homeland.

In a touching remark, Pope Tawadros noted that the general features of St. George’s Church in El-Olali resemble those of the Church of Archangel Michael in Damanhur, where he was raised, affirming that both churches clearly carry the spirit of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Continuing his series “Specialized Chapters,” His Holiness spoke on “The Attributes of Love,” reading from chapter thirteen of the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. He explained that this chapter is the most magnificent passage written in all of the Holy Bible and literature about love, both in description and detail. He added that the words “love” and “life” share the same Latin root, signifying that life is love, and love is life.

Pope Tawadros outlined the attributes of love as follows:

“Love suffers long”
Love is patient (longsuffering): “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). Longsuffering is a mark of strength, as seen in a person who waits without complaint—for example, Noah during the building of the ark. Patient love is a quality of successful parenting, a blessed marriage, and a lasting friendship.

“Love is kind”
One of the ailments of the human heart is hardness and lack of tenderness, for sin hardens the heart. An example is Onesimus, the slave imprisoned, who repented through St. Paul’s ministry. Paul wrote of him in his Epistle to Philemon: “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart” (Philemon 1:11–12). The true power that can change the heart is prayer.

“Love bears all things”
True love does not collapse under hardships; it endures the faults of others. Endurance is strength. Examples: David the Prophet enduring the betrayal of his son Absalom, Joseph the Righteous bearing the injustice of his brothers while remaining faithful to God, and the Lord Christ enduring the Cross and its shame: “My delight was with the sons of men” (Proverbs 8:31).

“Love believes all things”
Love believes all things with wisdom, having a discerning good faith, just as it believes the promises of God. Example: Zacharias and Elizabeth. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

“Love hopes all things”
Love never loses hope. A good servant always has a vision for the future, and love hopes in all things. Example: St. Peter, who denied the Lord and thought hope was lost, yet after Christ’s Resurrection, the Lord said to him: “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21:17). Following the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him along with the disciples, St. Peter preached the fiery sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

“Love endures all things”
All the attributes of love are interconnected; none stands alone. Patience is the foundation of love: “Here is the patience of the saints” (Revelation 14:12). Examples: Job the Righteous, and St. Paul the Apostle, who said: “I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. … in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:23, 27).

Pope Tawadros concluded by pointing to Saint Paul’s words: “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). This is what we call “the eternity of love,” for all else passes away, but love remains—it endures with man both on earth and in heaven.

As spiritual practice, His Holiness advised reading this chapter daily and writing out its thirteen verses repeatedly, to live by its beautiful meanings.

Finally, Pope Tawadros blessed all the attendees and distributed commemorative gifts.