Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

94 JANUARYI blessed water in their presence; I added salt to the water andthey were very happy about that. I prayed several prayers in Latin;that especially pleased them. I sprinkled the holy water about profusely.I had no hesitation now in invoking the name of Jesus, in invokingthe Paschal Mysteries. About this they seemed to have nodifficulty. I liberally splashed holy water in the room in which thefather had died, and splashed the family gathered there for prayer.Taking a piece of chalk, I wrote the house blessing signs over thelentils of their doors. I sang the Salve Regina and read a passagefrom Scripture. The whole blessing lasted fifteen or twenty minutes.They were very, very gratified. Near the end of the blessing, Icould tell that they were emotionally fulfilled and spiritually confident.So I was able to bring closure to the little ceremony andmake my farewells.This was my evening’s occupation. I got back to the Kamal-Hannas very late, but I was satisfied that an ecumenical gesture hadbeen afforded to strengthen the respect between the Copts and theMoslems. Or, at least I hope so!HomecomingJANUARY 14, WEDNESDAYIn the morning, availing myself of the resources of Mr. Tewfikand the Hotel Beirut, I was taken by taxi from the flat in Heliopoliswhere I had been staying and driven directly down the desert highwayback to the monasteries of the Wadi Natroun. I stoppedbriefly at Deir el Baramous and visited with Abuna Lucas, theguest master there whom I have met from time to time, and Iviewed some of the archaeological excavations that are presentlygoing on in and around the monastery. By late afternoon I wastaken by the same taxi driver, who had waited all day, back to DeirAnba Bishoi.At the Monastery of St. Bishoi, I was received very well by themonks, who said that they had missed me during these past days.So there was much tea to be drunk and Christmas chocolateswere brought out. There was much discussion about how life hadbeen for me in the city, how I had visited the Patriarchate and avariety of the churches in Cairo, and what my opinions of themwere. They’re all very happy that I’m getting more and more ex-