Pope Tawadros II lays foundation stone for new Coptic Orthodox Church in historic visit to Kellyville

His Holiness, Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, making his first visit to Kellyville, has laid the foundation stone for the new church there.

His Holiness Pope Tawadrous II laying the foundation stone at the Kellyville church. Picture: Jonathon Hakim

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HIS Holiness, Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, making his first visit to Kellyville, has laid the foundation stone for the new church there.

Pope Tawadros II was greeted by hundreds of parishioners and guests when he visited St Mary and St Cosman and St Demian Coptic Orthodox Church, Kellyville on Thursday, August 31.

The church was overflowing with worshippers and Pope Tawadros II celebrated mass before giving all attendees a gift of a papal key ring to mark his visit.

His Holiness, Pope Tawadrous II during the service at St Mary and St Cosman & St Demain, Coptic Orthodox Church, Kellyville.

At the end of the foundation stone laying ceremony, Pope Tawadros II presented gifts to attending politicians and dignitaries for their support of the Coptic Orthodox Church, its congregation and refugees.

The new church will cater to the growing numbers of parishioners and include community facilities and is expected to be completed in five years.

The leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church arrived in Australia for his first visit as the pope — he had been here five years ago as a priest — on August 30 and during his 10-day visit, is also meeting churchgoers in Canberra and Melbourne.

Pope Tawadrous II with parish priest Fr Joshua, Baulkham Hills MP David Elliot, and Bishop of the Diocese of Sydney, Bishop Daniel.

Mitchell federal Liberal MP Alex Hawke, Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott, Mt Druitt state Labour MP Edmond Atalla, former federal Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock and local councillors Alan Haselden and Dr Peter Gangemi were among those who attended the event.

Australia is home to the third largest Coptic community outside Egypt, with the first arriving in 1969.

According to the church, there are more than 100,000, with Sydney having 70,000.

The diocese of Sydney includes NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Some of the dignitaries at the service.

The diocese now comprises 41 churches, 70 priests, three schools, two monasteries and two theological Colleges.

Coptic is derived from the ancient Greek word for Egyptian. The Coptic Orthodox Church is nearly 2,000 years old, founded by St Mark the Evangelist, making it one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world. Coptic Christians comprise around 15 per cent of Egypt’s 95 million people.