Today, Archbishop Dr. Sami Fawzi, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Egypt, participated in a ceremony honoring the late Dr. Samir Rizkallah, Director of Hermel Memorial Hospital. The event was organized by the Episcopal Church in Menouf and was attended by the Rev. Medhat Sabry, pastor of the church, along with a large number of those who loved and admired him, in remembrance of his life, ministry, and enduring service.
In his address, the Archbishop said:
“We lived with Dr. Samir for many years in fellowship and love, and today we grieve his departure. Yet we are comforted by the Lord’s promise: ‘Let not your hearts be troubled.’ God sees our sorrow and the pain of our hearts, and He meets our weakness with His consolation, having promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to strengthen and uphold us in times of loss. The disciples themselves felt deep sorrow, and Christ reassured them, saying: ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me,’ affirming that faith in God is the path to peace of heart and the healing of pain.”
He added:
“While we grieve Dr. Samir’s absence from us in body, we rejoice that he has departed to be with Christ, where ‘in My Father’s house are many dwelling places.’ The way to life has been opened for all believers to pass from death to life. Faith does not eliminate sorrow, but it grants it hope, transforming loss into an ожидание filled with peace and consolation.”
Dr. Ehab Morris, Acting Director of Hermel Memorial Hospital in Menouf, said:
“We gather today to celebrate the life of Dr. Samir, a man who loved his work passionately and was deeply committed to development and excellence in everything around him. He was always part of a greater mission, striving to expand this institution and preserve its value, adding many achievements that left a clear impact on everyone who knew him and worked with him. Our presence today expresses our appreciation and gratitude for all that he gave, and our commitment to continue his mission, thanking God for His gifts and for the faithfulness of all who contributed to building and developing this place.”
Dr. Manal Makram, Director of the Medical Sector of the Diocese, said:
“Dr. Samir made a significant contribution to the development of the hospital and was a person of high personal integrity and character. Everyone around him witnessed the noble human qualities of his personality. He also taught many physicians, passing on his experience and knowledge to them. Today, we thank God for Dr. Samir’s life and faithfulness, and for all the effort and dedication he offered, which left a clear mark on the hospital and on the lives of all who knew him.”
During the ceremony, the new operating department at Hermel Memorial Hospital in Menouf was officially named Dr. Samir Rizkallah Bekhit Operating Department, in recognition and appreciation of his many years of dedicated, faithful, and fruitful service, and in honor of his contributions and achievements that left a lasting impact on the hospital and the community.
Participants in the ceremony included the Rev. Michel Milad, pastor of the Episcopal Church in Giza; Mr. Selim Wassef, lay minister at All Saints’ Episcopal Cathedral; Eng. Ehab Edward, Diocesan Projects Manager; Mr. Magdy Abu El-Saad, Director of the Episcopal School in Menouf; Dr. Hany Abadir, Director of Hermel Hospital in Sadat City; Dr. Mohamed El-Tabbakh, ENT consultant at the hospital; and Dr. Karima, Quality Consultant for the hospital.
It is worth noting that Dr. Samir Rizkallah was born on November 10, 1947. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University in 1972, obtained a Master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1980, and was awarded the rank of Senior Consultant in 2022. He served as Director of Hermel Memorial Hospital in Menouf from 2005 to 2025, during which he offered a distinguished career of medical service and humanitarian care.