H.E. Metropolitan Antonius Morcos, Metropolitan of South Africa, has reposed in the Lord a short while ago following a battle with illness in a blessed old age of 89 years, of which he spent nearly fifty years in episcopal ministry.

The Thrice-Blessed Metropolitan was born in Cairo on September 4, 1936. He served in the district of El-Faggala and in the villages of Abu Zaabal. From 1966, his ministry in the African nations began, serving in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, then for years in the Monastery of Burhan in the province of Shoa. He also represented the Coptic Church in various African conferences.

He was ordained a monk in Saint Bishoy’s Monastery, Wadi El-Natroun in 1975. He was then ordained General Bishop for African Affairs on June 13, 1976, by the thrice-blessed H.H. Pope Shenouda III. Later, he was ordained Metropolitan of South Africa by H.H. Pope Tawadros II on June 9, 2019.

“Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Romans 10:18)

H.H. Pope Tawadros II and the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church bid farewell, in the hope of the Resurrection, to the eminent and Thrice-Blessed H.E. Metropolitan Antonius Morcos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of South Africa, who departed in the Lord today in a righteous old age, at the long-lived age of 89 years. Nearly half a century of his life he lived as a father and good shepherd to the children of the Coptic Orthodox Church across the African continent, preaching in its regions east and west, north and south, bearing the name of Christ and His grace, along with the heritage and richness of the Coptic Orthodox Church, throughout the time of his ministry as General Bishop for African Affairs and as Metropolitan of South Africa, and even before his episcopate.

H.E. Metropolitan Antonius Morcos devoted himself to the Lord with all love throughout his life, from the earliest years of his youth, in many places and circumstances that never extinguished his love nor the fervor of his service, from Cairo to the far south of the continent.

We are confident that he has rested from the labors of the body and that he now rejoices in repose and rest in the Paradise of Joy.

Our sincere condolences to the clergy of his diocese and its congregation, and to all his children and beloved ones.