He is the author of over fifty books and booklets plus a large number of articles in the Egyptian Press as well as Editor-in-Chief of Al-Kara the official weekly magazine of the Coptic Church. Most of His books were translated into English and German.

With a spirit of love, following the example of the Lord, and as a strong advocate of Christian unity, he paid fraternal visits to several Heads of Churches in Europe and Asia in 1972. His Holiness is known for his devotion to the unity of the Church. In 1971, he attended the first informal meeting with the Roman Catholic theologians, held in Vienna. He is the first Alexandrian Pontiff to visit the Vatican since the great schism of AD 451. In May 1973, together with His Holiness Pope Paul VI, he signed a common declaration in which they expressed their mutual concern about church unity. A joint committee drawn from both the Coptic and Roman Catholic theologians was formed to follow up these efforts under his auspices. Other visits were exchanged between His Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, the Orthodox Patriarchs of Moscow, Romania, Bulgaria and Antioch, and with the Catholic Patriarchs in the Middle Eastern countries.

The Coptic Church has also become a member of the Middle East Council of Churches, and has had a stimulating role in the area. Further steps have been taken towards bringing about a reconciliation with the Protestant Churches in Egypt. The first meeting of the Churches took place at the Patriarchate in December, 1976. A Higher Council for all Christian Churches in Egypt has also been set up.

Under His Holiness' leadership, the Coptic Church's active membership in the World Council of Churches has been greatly fostered. The Coptic Church has also become a member in the All Africa Conference of Churches with a leading role.

Through His never ending desire to shepherd Our Lord's flock He has paid pastoral visits to many countries, including: Russia, Rumania, Armenia, USA, Canada, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Turkey, Libya, Central and East Africa, and England. 

As a former hermit, Pope Shenouda III has devoted great efforts to rebuilding the old monasteries of St. Antonious, St. Pishoi, the Syrian and the Paramos. Not only has he ordered the building of new Coptic-styled cells for the increasing number of monks at these monasteries, but he has also added large retreat houses where visitors can spend some time in the monasteries and enjoy the spiritual life with the monks. He also led the educational revival among the monks, beginning a renaissance in Coptic culture. His care for the nunneries has bolstered the existing movement for social and cultural services among Coptic nuns.

Monastic life under His guidance was restored at the two desolated ancient monasteries of St. Pachormus at Edfu, and St. George of Rozaikat, Luxor, and as well to St. Demiana's Convent at Belkas in Lower Egypt. Monastic restoration is being extended to six other ancient monasteries in Upper

Egypt. Consequently, the Monastic renaissance added hundreds of monks (mainly from the youth) from whom the army of the ministry of the Coptic Church found a good resource.

Since his consecration in 1971, Pope Shenouda III has strongly supported the extension of pastoral care to every individual in his church. The number of bishops he has ordained during His papacy has risen to fifty-two and consequently raised the number of the Holy Synod to 64.

In Cairo and Alexandria, he ordained more than 250 priests. Over sixty new churches were added to the existing number of Coptic churches in Egypt His Holiness has also devoted more attention to the Coptic churches outside Egypt. As the Supreme Pontiff of the oldest church m Africa, he has responded to the repeated requests of various African countries, and entrusted two bishops with the task of conducting religious affairs in South and East Africa. In addition, there are two Coptic Metropolitans in the Sudan. There are Coptic churches in Libya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Algeria.

Under His untiring ministry the number of Coptic Churches in the Western world has burgeoned from two to forty in the United States of America, from two to fourteen in Canada, and from two to thirteen in Australia. In Europe he established two churches in London, a Coptic Center and a church in Birmingham; four churches in Scotland, Wales, Manchester and Ireland; seven churches and a monastery in Germany; two churches in Austria; and one in each of the following: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Brussels, Athens, Milan, Rome, Paris, Marseilles, Geneva and Zurich. Moreover, a new Diocese was established in East Africa with Nairobi, Kenya as its center.
 

Prepared by:
The Church of Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius in Mississauga, Ontario

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