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* prepare Sydney's map to locate the surroundings of each existing Coptic church in Sydney.The meeting ended at 10pm with prayers & the committee members agreed to meet again on 27/7/1992 to discuss the details of the required documents.* prepare a list of all families who lived in the Bankstown area.
* search for a site to be rented out as a temporary church.
* write a report for H.H Pope Shenouda III, to receive permission to establish a new church.
* consider the three deacons as the Church's committee.
* suggest the patron Saints of the church to be : St. Demiana & St. Athanasius.
On 27/7/1992, the committe members met at 8pm with Fr. Marcus Khella, who was selected to be the spiritual father for the project. Mr. Adel Nessim was suggested to join the committee as he was leaving for Egypt, and could present the Church File to H.H Pope Shenouda for approval. A site was selected at 381 Hume Highway, Yagoona to be rented for $50 weekly, and to be used for the mass on Saturday mornings, and Bible studies Sunday nights. The meeting ended at 10pm with prayers
During H.G Anba Tadrous'(Bishop of Port Said) visit to Australia, the committee members handed the church file to Bishop Tadrous. Bishop Tadrous visited the church site, and was impressed with the site's facilities and promised to talk to H.H Pope Shenouda about the church upon his return to Egypt.
On 24/8/1992 at 7:30pm, the committe members met with new member Mr. Adel Nessim and Fr. Marcos Khella. All reports & documents were checked and then handed over to Mr. Adel Nessim, to present them to H.H Pope Shenouda during his visit to Egypt. The meeting was concluded at 10pm with prayers.
On 13/11/1992 (the 21st anniversary of the enthronement of H.H Pope Shenouda III) at 10pm, during prayers (Nahda) at St. George's Church at Kensington, H.G Bishop Tadrous rang Fr. Marcos Khella and gave him the spiritual blessing for the go ahead for St. Demiana & St. Athanasius church.
On 25/11/1992 at 8pm, the committee met with Fr. Marcos to discuss the preparation of the opening ceremony for St. Demiana & St. Athanasius Church. Sunday 13/12/1992 was chosen as the date for this occasion. The committee sent thankyou letters to H.H Pope Shenouda and H.G Bishop Tadrous. Letters were sent to all parish priests informing them of the opening ceremony and this was also published in the 'Spring of Love' magazine.
The committee contacted the office of the Church of England who owned the building for preparation of the site.
The following responsibilites were assigned :
* Deaconship :
Malak Rizkalla
* Sunday School & Youth :
Nabil Goubran
* Secretary & Bookshop :
Adel Kamel
* Treasurer :
Adel Nessim
* Ladies Services :
Tehani Goubran
The meeting ended at 10:30pm with prayers.
On Sunday 13/12/1992 at 6:20pm, the opening ceremony started by proceeding from outside the church, while deacons sung the hymn 'Epouro...' ('O King of Peace...'), carrying icons of all Sydney Coptic Church Parish Saints.
Fr. Marcos thanked the congregation, and Fr. Wedenham (Church of England) thanked Fr. Marcos & all the congregation & offered any help needed in the future.
The thanksgiving prayer was then prayed, and a procession was then carried out around the perimeter of the church and the icons of the Saints were hung on the wall. Parish priests who attended were : Fr. Marcos Khella, Fr. Samuel Wadie, Fr. Moussa El-Souriani & Fr. Shenouda Mansour.
Deacon Amir Hanna then addressed the congregation about the church. The ceremony concluded at 9:15pm after prayers.(Tamgeed)
On Sunday, 20/12/1992 (Kiahk) at 6pm, St. Demiana & St. Athanasius Church started with a vigil & prayer by Fr. Marcos who spoke about incarnation. On Monday, 21/12/1992 from 5-7am, the first Holy Mass was conducted at St. Demiana & St. Athanasius Church by Fr. Marcos.
St. Demiana & St. Athanasius Church opened a new bank account, and on 27/12/1992 at 6pm, Sunday School started for the first time where 24 children attended.
St. Demiana & St. Athanasius Church History : Part 3