This is an article below about the service of Father Antonious Bakki, the grandfather of Christine Yousef.

We have seen many striking similarities between Christine and her grandfather, namely:

1. When Christine reposed in the accident, an eye-witness said that her face was very peaceful and she had her right hand in the form of making the sign of the cross above her heart; the same position that Fr. Antonious Bakki reposed in 32 years ago in Queens, NY (He also reposed in a car - see the article below).

2. The 40th day of the commemoration of Christine's departure is also the commeoration of the departure of Fr. Antonious (May 8)

3. Christine served with us for three and a half years in the U.S.; the same number of years that Fr. Antonious served as a priest. They both reposed while serving in the U.S.

I would also like to mention that their facial features were remarkably similar based on pictures that I have seen of Fr. Antonious. Christine does not look like her mother or sisters much, but looks more like her grandfather.

I hope the stories that surface about Christine's zeal and service and their likeness to that of Fr. Antonious Bakki will be an inspiration to all. . .

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Father Antonious Bakki

This article was published by St. Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery in its monthly newsletter in May, 1994. Author Unknown.

+ Our beloved Father, the Hegomen Fr. Antonious Bakki, the serving angel of St. Mary and St. Antony Church, Queens, New York . . . He was born on February 18, 1931 and reposed on May 8, 1972.

+ He was a spiritual father that was filled with love, humility, and compassion. He lived his life in deep spirituality at St. Antony’s Church of Shoubra. He became a disciple of Mr. Nazir Gayed (H.H. Pope Shenouda III). People recognized his spirituality, therefore he was chosen to serve and lead Sunday school at the Church.

+ Upon God’s Will, he was hired as a teacher in Zagazig in 1959. He was loved by everyone, Christians and non Christians alike. They realized his honesty.

+ He was chosen to lead the Sunday School Program in Zagazig, and then elected to be ordained as a priest of St. George Church, Zagazig in 1969.

+ He cared for serving and offering pastoral care to his entire congregation through confession, teaching the Coptic language, teaching the Church hymns, directing Sunday school and sociable services. He also cared for the “Brethren of the Lord” (the poor). He prayed holy liturgies for them. He also established a free pharmacy to supply them for all necessary medical needs.

+ The name of Fr. Antonious was loved by everyone in Zagazig. Due to his spiritual activities, he was promoted as a hegomen by His Grace Bishop Mettaos, the Bishop of Zagazig at that time, in less than six months.

+ The devil envied all his successful work – to delay the spread of the Kingdom of God – but Fr. Antonious faced all the tribulations with calmness and patience, emitting forgiveness and humility. He loved those who opposed him.

+ When the church of America needed a spiritual and active priest to care of the Coptic multitude, H.H. Pope Shenouda chose Fr. Antonious to serve the region of New York and New Jersey along with Fr. Gabriel Abdel Sayed, who established St. Mark’s Church, the only Coptic Church at the time (now New York and New Jersey regions contain twelve Churches with fourteen priests).

+ Fr. Antonious arrived to Kennedy Airport on March 17, 1972. He was warmly welcomed by the Coptic members (expressing their welcome with signs). Fr. Antonious prayed the thanksgiving prayer in the airport. One of the members offered apologies on behalf of Fr. Gabriel Abdel Sayed, who was sick and could not be there. Fr. Antonious wanted to go and visit Fr. Gabriel, but because of the weather conditions, his visit was postponed to the following morning. Fr. Antonious also prayed the Vespers of the Feast of the Cross and the Holy Liturgy on Sunday at St. Mark’s Church. He preached a sermon that was full of love and humility to the point where some people could not resist their tears. Fr. Antonious’ principle was “love and compassion are the way that our Lord, Jesus has set to attract the people’s hearts.”

+ He began looking for a church to pray in. Three days after his arrival, on March 20, 1972, the church of Queens, New York was established. Many people (non-church goers) gathered around Fr. Antonious.

+ The congregation has seen a spiritual father who cared about serving God in self-denial, by spreading the Kingdom of God, teaching the Coptic language and hymns, keeping the Coptic rites, praying the Liturgies with love and enjoyment. He prepared a Katameros book especially for Holy Week, since it was approaching and the Church did not have any books.

+ Every Saturday evening, he preached the congregation, adding some Church Rites, some Theology and some Coptic words (issuing a weekly pamphlet, free of charge).

+ He served with his heart, his pen and his tongue . . . He served with love and effort with a spoken word and a written word. He also expanded his services, not only to New York, but to Raleigh, St. Louis, Washington, New Jersey, etc. He used to arrive a day before the Holy Liturgy, to take confessions and teach the people.

+ Fifty days he spent in America, serving hundreds of people . . . He was an example of a loving and caring servant of God, who spent time building spiritual lives. He did not sleep until he found a place for God in everyone’s heart.

+ The last of his works was issuing a spiritual and educational magazine “The Way of Life.” He spent time and exerted a lot of effort to prepare the first issue on May 8, 1972 (St. Mark’s Feast), but God rested his soul on May 8, 1972.

+ God chose him on a day that was full of spiritual happiness. He was in a car talking when suddenly he stopped talking, looked up to Heaven, made the sign of the Cross and rested forever.

+ His pure body was transported to Egypt and H.H. Pope Shenouda III, many bishops and priests bid him farewell.

+ Our Saint Father Antonious lived his life as a story and a lit candle that gave guidance to many people. The best saying about our beloved father which indicates his success is: “we have known the Lord when we knew you.”

The blessing of this Saint be with us all. Amen.