His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate will deliver the Donald Mathers Memorial Lecture this Friday.

The sold-out lecture, titled “The Role of the Coptic Church in Strengthening Unity and Narrowing Gaps between Denominations,” will feature a discussion of the roles of the Coptic Church in Egypt, its country of origin, as well as in other nations including Canada.

“The School of Religion is honoured to host His Holiness during his Canadian tour,” says Richard Ascough, Director, School of Religion. “As the person with the highest religious authority in the Coptic Church, the lecture given by His Holiness will provide valuable insight into the Coptic Church’s role in Christianity today.”

Pope Tawadros is visiting Canada on a tour during which he will bless the founding of the first Canadian Coptic Monastery in Perth, Ont. He plans to come through Kingston following a trip to Ottawa.

Local dignitaries including Sophie Kiwala, Liberal MPP for Kingston and the Islands, Archbishop Brendan Michael O’Brien of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Kingston, and the Rt. Rev. Michael Oulton, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, will also be in attendance at the lecture.  

“His Holiness is very much perceived as a peaceful diplomat and we look forward to connecting with the Canadian Coptic community through this event,” says Dr. Ascough. “His Holiness’ visit will strengthen the connections between Canada and the Coptic Church.”

For more information on the Coptic Pope’s visit to campus, follow this link.