Cairo – Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The Most Rev. Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Episcopal/Anglican Church, visited His Grace Bishop Bigoul, Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Gabal El-Muharraq (Al-Muharraq Monastery) and President of the Association of Theological Institutions in the Middle East (ATIME), to express his gratitude following the admission of the Episcopal Theological College as a member of the association.
The Episcopal Church delegation included Dr. Shady Anis, Dean of the Episcopal Theological College, and the Rev. Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches.
The Association of Theological Institutions in the Middle East (ATIME), which operates under the umbrella of the Middle East Council of Churches, approved the Episcopal Theological College of the Province of Alexandria as a member during its General Assembly meeting held in Cairo under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Bigoul.
Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy stated that the admission of the Episcopal Theological College marks an important milestone in the college’s educational mission and reflects its commitment to providing theological education that meets recognized academic standards across the Middle East.
He added, “We are proud that the Episcopal Theological College has joined this association, which brings together leading theological colleges and institutions from across the Middle East. We look forward to strengthening academic cooperation and exchanging expertise in ways that support the Church’s mission throughout the region.”
Founded in 2005, the Episcopal Theological College is one of the region’s leading institutions for the formation of clergy and church leaders. Over the years, it has graduated a large number of ordained ministers and lay leaders serving within the Episcopal Church as well as other Christian denominations. The college has also welcomed students from across Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
This admission adds to the college’s growing list of academic recognitions. The college is also accredited by the Middle East and North Africa Association for Theological Education (MENATE), while its master’s degree programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
The admission reaffirms the college’s commitment to recognized academic and theological standards in the region and strengthens its role in preparing qualified church leaders to serve both the Church and society.
The Association of Theological Institutions in the Middle East currently includes 18 theological colleges and seminaries from across the region and operates under the umbrella of the Middle East Council of Churches. The Province of Alexandria of the Episcopal/Anglican Church is a founding member of the Middle East Council of Churches.
Issued by the Press Office of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt