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On the 21st of March we celebrate the commemoration of the departure of one of the most dedicated servants of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the 20thcentury. Father Pishoy Kamel was known for his humility, true love and sacrifice. He lived his life as an example to others, sharing a deep love of the cross.

Even though he died after a short life (from 6th of December, 1931 to the 21st of March, 1979), yet these few years were very fruitful. As a layman Samy Kamel grew in the church, loving it and serving it with complete dedication and devotion.

Before Ordination:
Samy started serving St. Mary's church in Alexandria (Moharem Beh) when he was 17 years old. This was Samy's turning point as Dr. Ragib Abd El Noor noticed him praying and chose him to serve. Dr Ragib was a very humble and wise man and revealed that he desperately needed someone's help and love for the service such as possessed by Samy. Samy accepted the offer immediately. He then graduated and was employed as an assistant teacher at the high Institute of Education in Alexandria where he was successful. Yet he wanted to leave this success and dedicate his time to the church service, so he asked some of his friends to each give him 15 pounds a month as a wage so he could leave his work and work only for the church. Thus he had no regard for money or ambition but he had a deep longing for service and wanted to live only by faith.

Love:
Father Pishoy has a popular phrase: "Love is the backbone of the church". He loved everyone and wanted them to love each other and many people actually learnt personal love from his school. Because of his powerful love he formed a group called "The Reconciliation group" whose main purpose was to reconcile. As long as there are no differences in faith any problem would only be from the devil.

Father Tadros Yacoub's story. In the early sixties I entered the church and a youth attacking Father Pishoy with harsh words in the presence of hard people who wanted to discipline the boy. I took the boy away until he calmed down and went home. At the end of the day I told Father Pishoy that "The boy was angry but I calmed him down and he went home, however he wanted to apologise to you." Father Pishoy asked me to go with him to the boy's house saying: "He is my son, I am the one in the wrong and I am willing to kiss his feet." The boy was surprised when he saw us and knelt at Father Pishoy's feet, but Father Pishoy raised him up kissing and embracing him saying, "I am in the wrong." The boy could not stand all this love and he cried.

There was a non-Christian butcher who lived close to the church, yet whenever he saw Father Pishoy he would swear and spit, Father Pishoy would just look at him and smile. Then one day Father Pishoy noticed that his butcher shop had been closed for many days and he enquired about him. He was told that the man was at home, very sick - so what did this saint do? - He went to visit him with a gift. This man became one of his strongest church members and was baptized. "Love never fails".

Precious respect for the value of individuals:
Father Pishoy used to sacrifice himself and his health in order to win one soul worthy of the blood of Jesus, such as the following example:

Father Luka Theodorus tells (while praying on his holy body) "I will not forget the day you unceasingly tried to rescue an orphan girl who had sinned with a non Christian soldier ..... that day you ran O' father from police to inspectors, to medical officers trying to release her from being arrested. When she was finally released you tried to take her home and the soldier who wanted to kidnap her confronted you. In a matter of seconds the people gathered with the police to encourage him to take her away. But you held fast on to the car she entered and screamed out: "I will never leave my daughter, ever" then the car drove off while you were still hanging to it and they dragged you with it. At that time my Father I could not withhold my tears with you resembling your Saviour, who put Himself before His sheep. You did not give up on this matter until God returned her to you, and satisfied your heart.

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