Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne Holds Official Welcoming Ceremony for His Grace Bishop Rewis, General Bishop of Southeast Asia and Overseer of the Diocese

Gerges Mounir Hanna – OCP News Service – 04/07/2025

Melbourne – Australia : On the evening of Friday, 4 July 2025, and in a deeply spiritual and reverent atmosphere, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne held the official welcoming ceremony for His Grace Bishop Rewis, General Bishop of Southeast Asia and the newly appointed overseer of the Diocese of Melbourne. The event was held at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington, the first Coptic Orthodox church established in the city and one of the most significant historical landmarks of the Coptic presence in Australia.

This occasion marked a milestone in the journey of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the diaspora, as the faithful of the diocese expressed their profound joy and gratitude to God for granting them a faithful shepherd to guide the pastoral and educational ministries in this new phase.

Attendance of Hierarchs and Clergy

The celebration was blessed by the presence of several hierarchs, most notably:

His Grace Bishop Daniel, Bishop and Abbot of St Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery – New South Wales;

His Grace Bishop Kyriakos, Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne.

The event was also attended by a number of esteemed priests from the Coptic Orthodox Church and sister churches, along with a large gathering of deacons and faithful members of the diocese, whose hearts overflowed with joy and praise.

A Pastoral Word of Hope

During the ceremony, His Grace Bishop Rewis delivered a pastoral message filled with hope and a vision of united service in the vineyard of the Lord. He affirmed his dedication to ministering to every soul with true Gospel love, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Official Papal Appointment

It is noteworthy that His Holiness Pope Tawadros II had issued Papal Decree No. 2 of 2025, appointing His Grace Bishop Rewis as General Bishop for the Diocese of Melbourne, effective 1 July 2025.

At the conclusion of the celebration, all attendees lifted their hearts in prayer, asking God to bless this new ministry and to grant His Grace Bishop Rewis wisdom, strength, and grace to shepherd the flock along the path of salvation—for the glory of His Holy Name and the edification of the Church.