February 1, 2009
By Matthew Davies

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt – The proposed Anglican covenant and global issues such as Zimbabwe and the financial crisis will be addressed by almost all of the 38 Anglican primates meeting February 1-5 at the Helnan Palestine Hotel in Alexandria, Egypt.

The first day of the Primates Meeting began with a quiet morning led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and culminated in a worship service to dedicate St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral in Alexandria and install its new dean, the Very Rev. Samy Fawzy Shehata.

"As we dedicate this cathedral we ought to be praying that this is a place where Jesus is alive," Williams said during the sermon, which was simultaneously translated into Arabic. "When we step into this church and experience Jesus' life of prayer, it changes the way we see things. If we are faithful to our willingness to join in the prayer of Jesus, God will be faithful to us."

Williams said it is important to remember that "the person praying next to me is a person in whom Jesus is praying" and to try to see "the force of energy of Jesus' life in them. When I diminish them, I am in danger of destroying Jesus' voice in them."

The Most Rev. John Chew, primate of Southeast Asia, spoke during the service about the importance of the companion relationship between the dioceses of Singapore and Egypt.

"When great civilizations come together a lot can happen," he said, "especially when Christ is active in all this."

The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, under the leadership of President Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis, is hosting the primates for their five-day meeting. The province includes four dioceses throughout Jerusalem, Iran, Egypt, Cyprus and the Gulf.

Episcopal News Service