Document
Geneva, 30 March 2025
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Coptic Orthodox Church
Cairo, Egypt
Your Holiness,
It is with deep sorrow and reverence that I extend, on behalf of the World Council of Churches and the global ecumenical fellowship, our heartfelt condolences to Your Holiness, to the Holy Synod, and to the faithful of the Coptic Orthodox Church on the passing into eternal rest of His Eminence Metropolitan Pakhomious, Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, and Abbot of St. Macarius of Alexandria Monastery in Mount Al-Qalali.
His Eminence was a spiritual figure and a deeply respected elder of the Church, whose ministry and leadership transcended borders and generations. For over seventy years—more than five decades of which he served as bishop and metropolitan—he devoted his life to God’s service with humility, courage, and a profound love for the people of God.
In the context of the Middle East, where Christian communities have long faced complex challenges, His Eminence embodied the enduring strength and witness of the Church. As Acting Patriarch during a delicate and transitional moment in the history of Egypt and the region, he led the Coptic Orthodox Church with pastoral wisdom, stability, and prayerful discernment. His leadership during that period, and throughout his decades of service, was a source of strength not only for the Church in Egypt but for all churches of the region.
Metropolitan Pakhomious was also a devoted ecumenist. He believed deeply in the unity of the Body of Christ and was a bridge-builder among churches. Through his participation in dialogue, formation, and collaborative witness, he contributed to the deepening of mutual understanding between the Coptic Orthodox Church and other Christian traditions. His ministry affirmed the importance of Christian unity as a witness to the Gospel in the midst of conflict, displacement, and societal transformation.
We in the World Council of Churches give thanks to God for the life and legacy of His Eminence. His memory will remain a blessing, and his steadfast faith will continue to inspire all who serve the cause of peace, reconciliation, and unity in the region and worldwide.
May Christ our Lord, the Good Shepherd, grant rest to his soul in the eternal light of the resurrection. May God comfort all who mourn his departure, especially the clergy and faithful of his diocese, and all those who were nurtured under his spiritual guidance—including Your Holiness.
In communion and prayer,
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
