Bishoy Kamel
Encyclopedia
Bishoy Kamel also spelled Bishoi Kamel (1931–1979), was a priest of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He is considered to be a saint
of that faith.
, in 1931. later moving to Damenhour where he received his early education. He went on to attend Alexandria University
, and received his Bachelor of Science
degree there in 1951. He started as a teacher in a local school, at the same time continuing his own studies. In 1954, he received an advanced degree in literature, and was appointed as an instructor at the Alexandria University college of education. Five years later, in 1959, he was ordained a priest
of the Coptic Orthodox Church. While a priest, he also taught Sunday school
and offered free tutoring for children who needed it. He is also noted for going around to the needy of his congregation after evening services on Christmas
, Epiphany, and Easter
, because he thought it important to share with his congregation the meaning of the church's "feasts".
He founded the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Sporting, Alexandria, Egypt
. As the church grew, he became convinced one priest would not be enough, and sought to have associate priests at the church. Although he was initially advised against doing so, he persisted, and in time the church had five priests working there, all of whom remained overworked as well. Other churches he founded in Alexandria include St. George in Hadara, the Church of Archangel Michael
in the Mustafa Kamel area, St. Takla Hemanout in the Ibrahimeya neighborhood, the church of St. Mary and St. Cyril in the Cleopatra neighborhood, and the church of St. Peter in the Sidi Bishr neighborhood.
In 1969, he was sent to minister to the needs of the Coptic faithful in Los Angeles
. Initially, the church placed him in a building used by the Syrian Orthodox Church. Later, he was given the chance to buy a building which the a Russian Orthodox Church
congregation had earlier used on Robertson Boulevard
which would cost $100,000. His church at the time had about $500 available. Father Bishoy Kamel managed to raise $23,000, some of which came from newer immigrants to the area.
Father Bishoy Kamel took a cab to a local bank, where he was prepared to pay the $23,000. and sign a mortgage for the church. Unfortunately, he left the unmarked envelope containing the money in the seat of the taxi he took to the bank. He didn't notice until entering the bank and being asked by the loan officer what had happened to the money. He left the bank and returned to his home near the church they were using without the mortgage or the money, convinced that at least some people would believe that he had himself stolen the money. Later that night, after midnight, he heard a knock on his door, and asked his wife to answer it. The driver of the taxi was there. He confessed to having found the money in the cab, and drove around for some time trying to decide whether to keep it or not. After deciding not to, determining that his fare had been some sort of minister, he had to find a way to locate him. He asked around, and finally managed to determine who his fare must have been, and arrived with the money.
and Australia
. Although very interested in the spiritual welfare of others, Kamel was also very concerned with what he felt was his own salvation. He displayed an unusual degree of humility. Although married for several years to his wife, Angel, both of them remained celibate. As a preacher, he regularly cited examples from the Bible, Church history, tradition, and the life of the Saints. His voice is described as having been low, almost weak, but was very appreciated by his congregation. He wrote religious books, including Under the Feet of the Cross and With Christ Crucified. He died in 1979, and is buried in Alexandria.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of that faith.
Life
He was born Samy Kamel in Sers el-Lyan, Monufia Governorate, EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, in 1931. later moving to Damenhour where he received his early education. He went on to attend Alexandria University
Alexandria University
Alexandria University is a university in Alexandria, Egypt. It was established in 1938 as a satellite of Fuad University , becoming an independent entity in 1942. It was known as Farouk University until the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 when its name was changed to the University of Alexandria...
, and received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree there in 1951. He started as a teacher in a local school, at the same time continuing his own studies. In 1954, he received an advanced degree in literature, and was appointed as an instructor at the Alexandria University college of education. Five years later, in 1959, he was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of the Coptic Orthodox Church. While a priest, he also taught Sunday school
Sunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
and offered free tutoring for children who needed it. He is also noted for going around to the needy of his congregation after evening services on Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Epiphany, and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, because he thought it important to share with his congregation the meaning of the church's "feasts".
He founded the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Sporting, Alexandria, Egypt
Sporting, Alexandria, Egypt
Sporting is a neighborhood in Alexandria, Egypt. Most famous for the sports club there, which is also called "Alexandria Sporting Club".- Location :...
. As the church grew, he became convinced one priest would not be enough, and sought to have associate priests at the church. Although he was initially advised against doing so, he persisted, and in time the church had five priests working there, all of whom remained overworked as well. Other churches he founded in Alexandria include St. George in Hadara, the Church of Archangel Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
in the Mustafa Kamel area, St. Takla Hemanout in the Ibrahimeya neighborhood, the church of St. Mary and St. Cyril in the Cleopatra neighborhood, and the church of St. Peter in the Sidi Bishr neighborhood.
In 1969, he was sent to minister to the needs of the Coptic faithful in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Initially, the church placed him in a building used by the Syrian Orthodox Church. Later, he was given the chance to buy a building which the a Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
congregation had earlier used on Robertson Boulevard
Robertson Boulevard
Robertson Boulevard is a street in Los Angeles that also passes through the incorporated cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City....
which would cost $100,000. His church at the time had about $500 available. Father Bishoy Kamel managed to raise $23,000, some of which came from newer immigrants to the area.
Father Bishoy Kamel took a cab to a local bank, where he was prepared to pay the $23,000. and sign a mortgage for the church. Unfortunately, he left the unmarked envelope containing the money in the seat of the taxi he took to the bank. He didn't notice until entering the bank and being asked by the loan officer what had happened to the money. He left the bank and returned to his home near the church they were using without the mortgage or the money, convinced that at least some people would believe that he had himself stolen the money. Later that night, after midnight, he heard a knock on his door, and asked his wife to answer it. The driver of the taxi was there. He confessed to having found the money in the cab, and drove around for some time trying to decide whether to keep it or not. After deciding not to, determining that his fare had been some sort of minister, he had to find a way to locate him. He asked around, and finally managed to determine who his fare must have been, and arrived with the money.
Final years and legacy
Father Bishoy Kamel would later go on to help establish the Coptic church in Denver and Houston, and areas of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Although very interested in the spiritual welfare of others, Kamel was also very concerned with what he felt was his own salvation. He displayed an unusual degree of humility. Although married for several years to his wife, Angel, both of them remained celibate. As a preacher, he regularly cited examples from the Bible, Church history, tradition, and the life of the Saints. His voice is described as having been low, almost weak, but was very appreciated by his congregation. He wrote religious books, including Under the Feet of the Cross and With Christ Crucified. He died in 1979, and is buried in Alexandria.