On the feast day of Holy Martyr Hippolytus of Rome, Bishop Andrej of Austria-Switzerland, escorted by secretary f. Filip Milunovic, arrived at the seat of the Coptic Diocese for Austria and Northern Switzerland in Obersiebenbrunn in Northern Austria.
In front of the Diocesan seat, in a newly-founded monastery of Saint Anthony, Bishop Andrej was welcomed by Bishop Mar Anba Gabriel with the monastic brotherhood. In a welcome message, Bishop Anba Gabriel pointed out a brotherly connection between the Coptic and Serbian Church and mentioned that Serbs and Copts in German-speaking areas have been connected through many institutions and events, and that the relations of the Coptic Church with the Serbian Church are very significant.
The host once again wished a warm welcome to Bishop Andrej and told a history of the Coptic Church by pointing out great issues that Coptic Christians face every day in their homeland, Egypt, and why they are living as emigrants all over the world. With great interest, Bishop Andrej listened to a history of foundation of the first Coptic monastery and the Diocesan seat in Austria. Also, they spoke about the friendly relationship of Oriental Christians with other Christians in the Republic of Austria.
At the reception, which was attended by the bishops’ associates, church dignitaries discussed the importance of the Orthodox testimony of Christianity in Austria. Talking about current topics, Bishop Anba Gabriel and Bishop Andrej exchanged views on the results of the official theological dialogue of Eastern Orthodoxy with Oriental Churches, as well as on important aspects of inter-church cooperation on the territories of Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
SOURCE: Serbian Orthodox Chruch
