Today, the Episcopal Church, in collaboration with the Church of Nations, organized a spiritual evening of worship and hymnody under the theme “Jesus Alone.” The event was attended by Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy Shehata, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Episcopal Church; Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, Head of the Evangelical Denomination in Egypt; Dean Rev. Hany Shenouda, Dean of All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek; Rev. Dr. Rafiq Wagdy, Pastor of the Church of Nations; and Maestro Nayer Nagi, conductor of the “Church Sings” choir and orchestra.
In his sermon, the Archbishop said:
“The essence of true faith can be summarized in three core truths, each beginning with ‘Jesus Alone.’ First, ‘Jesus Alone for our Justification.’ Christ is the rock of our salvation, and His perfect righteousness is credited to us through faith, not by our works or self-righteousness. Salvation is a gift of grace, given through Christ’s death and resurrection, through which we receive peace with God. Justification rests entirely on the one complete work accomplished by Christ. Whoever has Christ has everything.”
He continued:
“Second, ‘Jesus Alone for our Sanctification.’ Sanctification is not a human effort to complete what Christ began, but a daily work of grace that enlightens the heart and shapes the believer in the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit. As we remain in Him, we are transformed from glory to glory, because true spiritual life is not built on human strength, but on steadfastness in Christ alone.”
He concluded:
“Third, ‘Jesus Alone is the Goal and Hope of Our Lives.’ He is the center of the heart, the purpose of the journey, and the unshakable hope. His love for us is a boundless ocean, giving life meaning and direction. When Christ is our goal and hope, our perspective on the present and future changes, and we find peace and assurance in every circumstance, because ‘Jesus Alone’ is our life and eternal hope.”
Rev. Andrea Zaki reflected:
“Do I truly know Christ?” This question remains central for anyone approaching faith. Knowing Christ is not merely intellectual knowledge, but a living relationship in which Christ’s truth is revealed in the heart and reality. Christ is not a figure we shape according to expectations, nor merely a historical personality, but the living God who entered our lives, suffered, and rose to give new hope to all who believe in Him.”
He added:
“Christ is present today through His Spirit, accompanying us in daily life, in pain and hope, guiding us to transformation. Knowing Him is an ongoing journey, opening the heart to deeper life and truer faith. Let us cling to Him and allow Him to lead us into a renewed life, so that we may live in the power of His resurrection and await eternal glory with Him.”
Maestro Nayer Nagi is one of Egypt’s leading orchestra conductors. He began studying piano at the Conservatoire in Alexandria, received advanced performance diplomas from the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1996, and earned a diploma from the École Normale de Musique in Paris in 2001. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Cairo Celebration Choir, has conducted the Alexandria Library Orchestra, and led the orchestra and choir at the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, becoming one of the foremost names in music composition and conducting in Egypt.