In a landmark celebration marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II presided over a festive liturgy on November 23, 2025, at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassia, Cairo, during which five bishops were elevated to the rank of metropolitan, the Coptic Church reported.

Before the rite of elevation, Patriarch Tawadros noted that each of the five bishops has served more than three decades in episcopal ministry. Their promotion, he said, reflects several key meanings tied to the Nicaean jubilee year: recognition of long-standing pastoral labor, renewal of their ministry, and affirmation of their deep spiritual experience.

The newly elevated metropolitans are:

• Metropolitan Youannis, Bishop of Assiut since 1993;

• Metropolitan Sarabamon of Sudan, bishop since 1993;

• Metropolitan Antony, overseeing the dioceses of Ireland, Scotland, and Northeast England since 1995, now the first native Egyptian Coptic metropolitan in Europe;

• Metropolitan Barnabas of Turin and Rome, bishop since 1995;

• Metropolitan Demian, overseeing Northern Germany and abbot of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and St. Maurice in Höxter, the first Coptic metropolitan in Germany.

Patriarch Tawadros offered special prayers for peace in Sudan and congratulated Metropolitan Youannis on his birthday, which coincided with the commemoration of the repose of Metropolitan Michael — a connection he said symbolizes the continuity of generations in the Assiut diocese.

The ceremony drew officials from Egypt, Sudan, and Germany, along with diplomats and public figures. After the liturgy, the Patriarch posed for photographs with the newly elevated metropolitans and members of the Holy Synod.

In his homily, Patriarch Tawadros reflected on the spiritual themes of the Coptic month of Hathor and asked the faithful to consider the question: “Whom and what do we listen to?” True listening, he said, means obedience to God and attentiveness of the heart.

He also highlighted the conclusion of a yearlong series of major celebrations dedicated to the Council of Nicaea, which included liturgical events, conferences, joint services with the Syriac and Armenian Churches, academic competitions, and cultural programs focused on the history of the Council and the Nicene Creed.

The elevation of the new metropolitans, the Patriarch stressed, brings the jubilee year to a close with a powerful spiritual message. “This marks a new stage in the ministry of our Church in Egypt, Sudan, and Europe. Their service is a pledge for the growth and strengthening of our communities beyond our homeland,” he said.

Patriarch Tawadros concluded by urging the faithful to pray for each metropolitan by name, emphasizing the great responsibility entrusted to them, and expressing hope that the Coptic Church will “always abide in joy, peace, and grace.”