Egypt-bound
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Shenuda responded to the increasing problems with fundamentalist Muslims with his denunciations of fanaticism and sectarian strife. At the same time, President Anwar al-Sadat and members of the government made repeated allegations against the patriarch and Coptic community. Misunderstandings between the president and the patriarch culminated in the presidential decree of September 3, 1981, ordering the pope's exile to the monastery of St. Bishoi and the imprisonment of eight bishops, twenty-four priests, as well as a significant number of leading laypersons. President Sadat set up a papal committee to discharge the duties of the patriarchate. However, the Holy Synod issued a decree confirming Pope Shenuda as the spiritual head of the church. For forty months, Shenuda was confined to the desert monastery. In the meantime, many loyal Copts played an important role in ensuring that he be released. Bishop Domadius of Giza paid weekly visits and served as principal mediator between the government and the exiled patriarch. On January 2, 1985, President Mubarak revoked President Sadat's decree. Accompanied by fourteen bishops, the patriarch departed from the monastery of St. Bishoi on Thursday, January 4, 1985. Over ten thousand people filled the cathedral to receive their pope, who after the prayer of thanksgiving, greeted his people by saying, “I have no residence except in your hearts, which are full of love. I have never been away from your hearts, not even for the twinkle of an eye.” Since his release, Coptic-Muslim relations have somewhat improved as a result of his efforts in promoting a spirit of love and unity.
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You have to love his greeting to the people. Okay, wait....I think I have something in my eye...
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