Egyptian-Canadian actor, Mena Massoud, better known for his lead role in Aladdin with Will Smith, decided to launch a charity organization to help ethnically diverse artists in Canada. He said that he wanted to help other artists since Hollywood doesn t do that. He added during his current visit to Egypt that he liked al-Gouna festival.

Coptic Churches celebrated the feast of St. Verena who was martyred in Europe. According to tradition, Verena was of a noble Christian family from the village of Garagous, near Luxor. Her parents sent her to Sherimon, Bishop of Beni Suef, to be instructed in the Christian faith, after which he baptized her. She was a relative of Saint Maurice of the Theban Legion. As soldiers relatives were allowed to accompany them in order to look after them and take care of their wounds, Verena accompanied the legion on its mission to Rhaetia (part of modern-day Switzerland).

Bishop Raphael of central Cairo Churches ordained 120 new deacons at the church of St. George in Qullaly. This came during celebrating the feast of Coptic new year.

Sharm el-Sheikh Cathedral under the auspices of Bishop Apollo of South Sinai announced it will launch the deacons school at the end of this month. The school aims to teach children Coptic hymns and prayers of the church.

Father Poulos Halim, Spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, denied rumors about murdering a priest in Minya inside his house. A media personnel had announced on his Facebook page that a priest was killed in Abu Qurqas causing unusual confusion between Copts and Muslims.

Zaid Haddad from Jordan won the chairmanship of the regional committee of the World Christian Union Committee during its annual meeting in Cairo. The union consists of more than 20 organizations and movements from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, The Sudan, Iraq and Palestine.

Dr. Monir Hanna, Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Participated in the Meeting of Welfare committee of the Council of Churches of Egypt . Representatives of 5 Christen sects participated in the meeting, during which Bishop Hanna delivered a sermon about illnesses that afflict ministers in the service, and how to avoid them.

The Egyptian Orthodox Church celebrated yesterday the feast of Pope Saint Milieos, third Pope of Alexandria. He was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Copts by the Roman Emperor Domitian and took office for 11 years, 9 months from 13 December 83 till 11 September 95.

Bishop Abraam of Fayoum honored about 400 winners of the Keraza festival for all stages and sectors of service and ecclesiastical activities. The celebration was held at the church of St. George in Fayoum in the presence of clergy and congregation.

The diocese of Shubra Al Khaimah celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the Church of the Virgin Mary in Pegam. The celebration is presided over by Bishop Marcos of Shubra El-Kheima. The church was built in 1969, while the first mass was held inside the church on May 25, 1969.

Coptic Church celebrates the new Coptic year today with social prayers and praises over night. Special food is also included in the celebration, namely: Red dates and guava, which refers to the blood of the martyrs and their strong faith. Vendors of dates and guava sold their goods in front of the churches as Copts celebrate Nayrouz by eating those fruits. Nayrouz or Neyrouz is a feast when martyrs and confessors are commemorated within the Coptic Orthodox Church. Celebrated on September 11, the day is also the start of the Coptic new year and its first month, Thout.

A Muslim girl named Serena Mamlouk got married to a young Christian man in Lebanon called Antony Qaour, which sparked widespread reactions through the media and social networking sites. Their marriage was considered a sign on peaceful coexistence between religions, while others assured such marriage violates Islamic laws. A group of artists and civil rights activists defended their rights and said that different religions are united by love.

Bishop Athanasius of Beni Mazar and Bahnasa inaugurated the Church of the Virgin in Beni Mazar after its renovation. 3 alters and one baptism were inaugurated in addition to the Coptic icons and the holy vessels.

Copts celebrated the new Coptic year next Wednesday with eating special food, namely: Red dates and guava, which refers to the blood of the martyrs and their strong faith. Vendors of dates and guava sold their goods in front of the churches as Copts celebrate Nayrouz by eating those fruits. Nayrouz or Neyrouz is a feast when martyrs and confessors are commemorated within the Coptic Orthodox Church. Celebrated on September 11, the day is also the start of the Coptic new year and its first month, Thout.

Bani Mazar diocese announced that Abba Athanasius, Bishop of the diocese, will inaugurate on Monday the alters of the Church of St. Mary in the village of Sinarya in Beni Mazar, Minya. A number of monks, clergy and the congregation will participate in the inauguration ceremony.

Abba Eklimidus, general bishop of Almaza and Al-Haganah and East Nasr City Churches, ordained a group of new deacons at the church of St. George in Alamaza. The new deacons were ordained in the ranks of Ebsaltus ( chanter) and Oghnostos (reader).

In the presence of HG Bishop Jeremiah, head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, the first ceremony of Sama kids English Sunday School was held in the Great Cathedral of St. Mark, Abbassia. The English Sunday School is held every Friday at 3 pm at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and teaches children in English.

Beheira diocese announced that Archbishop Pachomious is fine after he was involved in a car accident while he was returning from the monastery of St. Makarios in Galali Mount. In a statement, the diocese said that he returned to the monastery of the Syrian in Wadil Natroun.

A Coptic young man called Youssef Gerges invented an electromagnetic washing machine. The 25 years old inventor said that he has other inventions, but he decided to do something interesting and this was the electromagnetic washing machine that impressed a number Chinese companies.

Pope Tawadros II honored Dr. Mirna Hosni, a student of pharmacy at the British University in Egypt who achieved first place over 45 teams, while she stood alone in the competition. Mirna took only quarter of the time since she started late, which proves her achievement. Yet, this shows disrespect and recklessness of some officials concerning those who represent Egypt abroad. Those responsible didn t read the conditions carefully since the didn t notice that a team should consists of 5 members and not only one.

Beni Suef Diocese concluded the 13th conference for youth entitled ‘Discover Yourself’ held at the Monastery of Our Lady in Bayad for three days. The conference was held under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, and Bishop Gabriel of Beni Suef.