For Immediate Release – It is with a somber heart that the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England must announce that H.E. Metropolitan Abraham of Jerusalem and the Affiliated Regions has entered eternal rest in the bosom of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, leaving his loving flock in need of a shepherd.  His Eminence was born as Ibrahim Sedrak in Sohag, Egypt June 30, 1943.  As a layman, he served in the Diocese of Giza where he became the steward of the servants.  Acting on his calling from God, Ibrahim went to the monastery of St. Bishoy, where he was tonsured as a monk March 19, 1984 taking the name of Sedrak Abba Bishoy.  Monk Sedrak was ordained a priest on July 23, 1990.  Abouna Sedrak was made Metropolitan of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem by the hand of H.H. Pope Shenouda III of Thrice-Blessed Memory on November 17, 1991, and enthroned in his see in January of 1992.  He departed this morning, at the age of 73 years old, may his prayer be with us all.

On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England, H.G. Bishop David offers his sincere prayers and sympathies to the clergy and faithful of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, along with his prayers that God will send them a shepherd worthy of the mantle of H.E. Metropolitan Abraham, who tended to his flock with love and kindness.