The Coptic Orthodox Church in Beni Seuf issued a statement to mourn the murder of Bishop Epiphanius, head of St. Makar monastery. Statement prayed for condolences for his people and to the church and for his soul to rest in peace.

It was surprising that Qemn Arous village, the hometown of the founder of monasticism in the world, St. Anthony, has no Christians or Churches. This is true since the last three Christian families have recently left the village as they had no church to pray. However, the land of St. Anthony still carries his name though he sold it hundreds of years ago and distributed the money for the poor.

After the diocese of Beni Suef filed 66 churches and service building, the Committee to legalize churches examined 33 churches on three phases. Father Arsanious who is responsible for the process said that no churches have been legalized yet as the committee demands extra documents to complete the files.

Father Ermia Abdu, priest of St. Simon church in Mitry village offered his sincere thanks to his Muslim neighbors for donating one ton of cement to restore the church. He added that their love is very appreciated by the Christians and this cement is more precious to them than gold.

Abba Estifanos, bishop of Beba, Al-Fashn and Samasta, said that the diocese has submitted 50 applications for the committee for the Regulation of churches. He added that the committee should visit the churches soon to decide whether they should be regulated or not. It is worth mentioning that several villages in the diocese don’t have churches which raise problems every now and then about building unlicensed churches including the most recent sectarian attacks at Manin village.

Father Stephenos Soliman, Secretary of Bishop of Beni Suef, said that the diocese has distributed free food on 150 Muslim families on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The food was distributed with the help of the mosque in the neighborhood.

Ibrahim Sadic, Coptic man from Beni Suef, reported police that 2.5 of his land were set on fire. This came after the Coptic Christian man was accused of turning his home into a church.

Abba Ghobrial, bishop of Beni Suef, ordained an new priest at the church of Dalas village. The new priest was called father Bigol and is currently spending 40 days of spiritual retreat at the monastery of St. Mary in Assiut.

Tarshoub village in Beni Suef witnessed new sectarian attacks by fanatics against the Copts. The attacks came after the Copts refused to allow the Muslim young men swim in the canal in front of their houses nude. The Muslims gathered and stoned houses of the Copts. Later, police arrested 7 Copts and 2 Muslims.

A number of Copts and Muslims of Menin village of Beni Suef held a joint banquet in Ramadan. The banquet was attended by clergy and families of the village. This comes after the village had witnessed sectarian clashes followed by reconciliation between the two parties.

Father Ermia Abdu, leader of the Angel association in Beni Suef, said that another Coptic minor girl has disappeared in Bnei Suef two days ago. He added that the girl is called Mrina Samir, 15 years old. Moreover, police were reported and the matter is currently under investigation.

Fashn misdemeanors court of Beni Suef acquitted 9 Copts and 11 Muslim today in the sectarian attacks at Manin village. The Coptic defendants were accused of building unlicensed church and using violence against the Muslim party whom tried to prevent the prayers of the Coptic Christians.

A Coptic girl disappeared yesterday in mysteries circumstances in Beni Seuf, Upper Egypt. The girl called Mariam Samy is a student at the third year of the faculty of Arts, English department. It is worth mentioning that she tried to contact her family before the cell phone was hanged and switched off.

Copts and Muslims in Mainin village held a reconciliation session after the sectarian attack on the church of the virgin Mary and St. Kyrilous as well as houses of the Copts. 9 Copts and 11 Muslims were arrested after the attack. They agreed to close the church till it receives the official permits and the legalization of its conditions.

9 Coptic defendants will stand before the misdemeanor court of Beni Suef tomorrow to hold their trial on the recent sectarian attacks on Manin village in Beni Suef. The trial of 11 Muslim defendants will be held as well on charges of showing force and bullying. It is worth mentioning that the Coptic defendants are also accused of building a church without a license.

His Eminence Bishop Gabriel of Beni Suef said during his weekly lecture at the cathedral of Virgin Mary in Beni Suef that the country has become much better in terms of security. He added that comparing to the precious years, Egypt has become much better and police is taking control of the situation.

The trial of 11 Muslims and 9 Copts of Manin village in Beni Suef will be held this week on Tuesday. The defendants were accused of holding weapons and fight even though the church was attacked by the fanatics.

Beni Suef court will hold trial of 11 Muslims and 9 Copts accused of participating at the sectarian incidents in Manin village in Beni Suef. The church of the Virgin Mary and Pope Kyrillos in the village of Menin was attacked on Saturday April 14 by Muslim fanatics who destroyed its windows and doors.

Two Shops rented by Copts in Wasti, Beni Suef, were seized by fanatics who insulted the Copts and tried to attack them. It is worth mentioning that Police were reported but nothing happened. The fanatic owners of the shops didn t respect the contract with the Copts and there were no police to force them to.

Coptic Churches of St. George in Egypt and abroad is celebrating his feast. The churches are holding a spiritual renaissance Week starting next Saturday during which the remains of the saint will be perfumed. He was a Roman soldier of Greek origin and officer in the Guard of Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. As a Christian martyr, he later became one of the most venerated saints in Christianity.

The court of Beni Suef acquitted Magdi Fawzi of the charge of contempt of religions. Coptic activists thanked police, Egyptian judiciary and the administration of Burt elementary School for Girls for their cooperation and love.