Dubai: "I was blessed that I got the opportunities to meet with Pope Shenouda. The last time was in October when my friend and I got a chance to spend almost an hour with him. We told him how happy we were in the UAE and he was really glad to hear that. Those were the most special moments of my life. With his death, it feels like we lost our father," Yousuf Bishai, who has been in the UAE for 32 years, shared the sorrow he felt at the death of Pope Shenouda III.

"It is a big loss, we lost the man who protected us, who taught us how to live, how to follow the right path and be good to others. His blessings and guidance will remain with us forever," Bishai echoed the feelings of members of the Coptic community.

The community members said the grief was profound and that Pope Shenouda was much more than a spiritual leader for them.

Father Youhanna, Priest of St Mary and Abouseifi Coptic Orthodox Church in Sharjah, who also served in the same church as Pope Shenouda and met him personally too, said the loss was profound. "It is like we lost our father. He guided the lives of many. I had the blessing to serve as a deacon in the same church."

‘Widely admired'

"To learn from Pope Shenouda, all you had to do was look at the peace you saw on his face. Now we know that he being in heaven, we have to live in peace," he said.

Pope Shenouda led the church for four decades and was widely admired. The community members said that he had a strong impact on their lives.

"We share with our Coptic Orthodox brothers and sisters in Egypt the feelings of loss. Pope Shenouda, alongwith being the head of our church, was also a highly respected social figure and loved by all Egyptians. It is a big loss," Father Mina Hanna said.

Inspiring figure

The Egyptian expatriates said they took inspiration from the spiritual leader in many ways.

"We heard the news yesterday and it has brought a lot of sorrow. For more than 40 years, Pope Shenouda led and guided us, he was a leader, a father, and a mentor. We all have learned a lot from him. Personally, I always applied in my life three words which the Pope said often. He would say Rabena Mawgoud, meaning ‘God is with us all the time', Kollo lelkhair meaning ‘Everything is leading to good' and Mesehra tentehi meaning that ‘this too shall come to an end'. I always remember these words in all aspects of my life," Maged Iskander said, adding, "We are in sorrow but we also know that we will always have his prayers and blessings."

Sharjah service

St Mina Coptic Church in Jebel Ali is conducting a memorial service and gathering for three days, starting yesterday from 6 pm to 8 pm.

For further details, you can contact 0504529259 and 0504526458.

Memorial service in the Sharjah Church Complex in Yarmuk will be held from 7 pm to 10 pm for three days.