Today, Archbishop Dr. Sami Fawzy, Primate of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Mansheya, Alexandria. During the service, he led the ordination of lay minister Karim Danian as a deacon to serve God at Jesus the King Episcopal Church in Ras El Soda, Alexandria. The service was attended by Dean Rev. David Aziz, pastor of the cathedral.
In his message to Karim, the Archbishop said: “The world does not need many sermons as much as it needs true witnesses—witnesses of mercy, honesty, and non-retaliation. It needs those who are salt that does not lose its flavor, and light that shines for others. The Lord does not call just one person, but calls all of us to remember who we are: ‘the salt of the earth,’ called to make a difference and live out our identity in Christ every day. We thank the Lord for Karim and pray that God will use him for the glory of His name.”
In his sermon, the Archbishop added: “Christ declared in the Sermon on the Mount that believers are the salt of the earth. Throughout history, salt has been essential to life because it preserves from corruption. This image reveals our calling as witnesses to God’s grace in a world moving toward corruption and death. Just as salt has no effect unless it is used, we cannot fulfill God’s will if we live in isolation. We are called to be in the world but not of it, living holy lives that preserve society from corruption.”
He continued: “Salt not only preserves but also gives flavor; without it, food becomes tasteless. Likewise, believers are called to reflect the joy and peace of Christ through forgiveness and love, giving the world a different ‘taste.’ But Christ warns us about salt losing its saltiness—losing our spiritual identity. When we compromise truth and conform to the standards of the world, we lose our influence and calling as a Church.”
He concluded: “In addition to being the salt of the earth, we are also the light of the world in the midst of a dark world filled with injustice, brokenness, and loss of hope. Light, by its nature, drives out darkness, guides, and reveals truth. This is not our own light, but the light of Christ that we reflect when we abide in Him. This is not a calling only for ministers, but a responsibility for every believer to live as a witness to God’s light and goodness in daily life.”
Those who participated in the ordination included Rev. Siraj Nabil, pastor of All Saints Episcopal Church in Stanley, Alexandria, Rev. Daniel Kori, pastor of the Sudanese ministry at All Saints Episcopal Church in Stanley, Alexandria, Rev. Mina Helmy, pastor of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Port Said, Rev. Mark Taqi, Academic Dean of the Episcopal Theological College, Rev. Moody Habib, priest at All Saints Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek, Rev. Elijah Ibrahim, assistant priest in the Sudanese ministry at All Saints Episcopal Church in Stanley, and Rev. Makram Raphael, pastor of the Evangelical Church in Sidi Bishr Qebli.