Imagine how disorienting it must be to flee your homeland in fear, and then arrive in a country that is completely different than anything you’ve ever known. In the heart of Kitchener, a beacon of hope exists for Coptic Orthodox refugees who are seeking safety, stability, and a fresh start in Canada. St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church has been a lifeline for displaced individuals and families, providing them with safe housing as they get on their feet in Canada.
The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in Egypt by the Apostle Mark around 42 A.D., making it one of the oldest Christian traditions, rooted in the early teachings of the Apostles. Although there have been instances of persecution throughout their history, there has been growing sectarian violence against Coptic Christians in recent years, especially following the events commonly referred to as the Egyptian Revolution that occurred as part of the Arab Spring of 2011[i]. Coptic Christians have been immigrating to Canada since the 1950’s with over 30,000 people identifying as Coptic Christian by 2023[ii]. In fact, 326 Egyptians were accepted to Canada as refugees in 2023, the majority of whom identified as Coptic Christians[iii].
St. Mary’s offers short-term shelter to those who arrive in the Waterloo Region through the nine homes they own in the surrounding neighbourhood. In addition, it provides a community rooted in faith, compassion, and shared heritage. Recognizing the urgent needs of newcomers navigating the challenges of resettlement, St. Mary’s purchased their first home in the early 2000s, and have purchased the others as they became available over the past 20 or so years.
The homes have been offered to dozens of folks arriving from Egypt, and have also housed refugees from Eritrea and Ukraine. “These houses were built in the 1960s, and they need upgrades and repairs frequently,” states Mike Akl, who looks after the facilities for St. Mary’s. The homes are meant to be a short-term solution, until a more permanent home can be found. “The idea is to give people a place to live just until they get on their feet,” adds Fady Shamsoun, St. Mary’s Treasurer.
Through their tireless efforts, the parishioners at St. Mary’s not only address the immediate, practical needs of refugees, they also uphold the timeless values of hospitality and solidarity that are at the core of the Coptic Orthodox tradition. Kindred Credit Union is pleased to support this program, that shares our purpose of inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities, and aligns with Kindred’s commitment to supporting organizations who are addressing the issue of housing.
Sources:
[i] https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/a-timeless-struggle-copts-in-egypt/
[ii] https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810034201
[iii] https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/statistics/protection/Pages/RPDStat2023.aspx