His Eminence Bishop Makarious of Minya and Abu Qurqas held a meeting with the priests of the diocese to discuss the precautionary measures taken to secure the reopening of churches starting from August 3. Bishop Makarious said that everybody should follow the instructions especially as some people refuse to disclose their infection and others may not realize they are infected with COVID-19.

The Egyptian Parliament approved the establishment of Catholic and Evangelical endowment bodies just like the Coptic Orthodox Church. The decision comes to ensure equality between all Christian denominations in Egypt and to enable such bodies to manage and invest the assets and funds of the Churches.

Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Abu Zaid, Deputy of the Minya Governor, held a meeting with the committee to supervise the path of the Holy Family restoration project in Minya over video conferencing technology. This came to follow up the implementation of the work of the second stage of developing the path of the Holy Family’s journey in Jabal Al-Tair monastery. The project aims to develop the area that was visited by the Holy Family 2000 years ago and turn it into an international touristic place visited by millions of tourist from all over the world.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, agreed to include a new church inside The National Unity Complex ‘Long Live Egypt’. The complex will be established inside Al-Moqattam neighborhood in Cairo and is considered a message of national unity among the Egyptians.

Catholic church in Egypt announced that priest Samy Qelada was removed from priesthood and doesn’t belong to the Council of Churches of Egypt. Statement added that the priest announced himself a bishop and ordained a number of priests, but they are not recognized as well.

His Holiness, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria, Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, confirmed that he is sound and well and denied the rumors he was infected with COVID-10. Father Poulos Halim, Spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that Pope is in good health, and is following all the matters of service.

Coptic Church announced that Suspended priest Ruice Khalil was investigated in 2014 and he was found guilty. Minya diocese has decided to suspend the priest and remove his priestly rank after proven guilty.

After closing churches of Mansoura for 117 days, the diocese decided to celebrate the Holy Mass under the decided precautionary measures. Only 25 people are allowed to attend the Holy Mass whom have to wear a mask and follow social distancing roles.

The Archdiocese of Minya and Abu Qurqas announced it has opened probe against Father Ruwais Aziz, priest of St. George Church in Al-Fekria. The priest was ordained on November 30, 1984 and is currently outside the country.

Egypt resorted to Security Council after the Ethiopian Ministry of Irrigation announced filling the Renaissance Dam officially. Sources in the Egyptian foreign affairs pointed out that Egypt may ask for a new session and a decision regarding the Renaissance Dam, and it is likely that France or Germany will ask the council members to hold this session.

The Archdiocese of Minya and Abu Qurqas and several diocese in Upper Egypt announced it will reopen on August 3rd with taking all precautionary measures. Churches of Cairo and Alexandria announced they will reopen on August 3rd under condition of following social distancing rules and all precautionary measures to ensure safety of worshippers.

The London Archdiocese held its first ordination for priests since Its establishment in 2017 by sitting His Eminence Bishop Angelos. Two priests were ordained for the ministry in the diocese, namely: Father Anthony, a priest at St. Mark s Church, and Father Michael, a priest at the Church of the Virgin and St. George.

His Beatitude Theodros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and the rest of Africa of Greek Orthodox Church, issued a statement regarding converting the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, which was transformed by the Turkish President of a mosque. He said that at the time Egypt grants freedom of religion and president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi opens new churches, the Turkish government headed by Erdogan converts churches into mosques.

Bishop Demetrius of Mallawy announced that the churches of the diocese will remain closed till the begining of August. This comes with the increase of COVID-19 infections in the diocese.

The media center of the Coptic Orthodox Church launched a media campaign to raise awareness of the precautionary measures to prevent the emergence of the new Corona virus. The worshippers will need to follow social distancing rules and sterilization procedures upon entry and after the end of the liturgy prayers. Everyperson will need to bring is personal tools such as wraps and books or use smartphones.

Coptic Church announced that Pope Tawadros is going to ordain new bishops including the successor of Bishop Epiphanius, head of St. Maqar monastery. Sources in the Coptic Orthodox Church said that the new ordination will be held next November and will name Bishop Macarious of Minya and two bishops of Abu Qurqas and East Nile churches as the diocese will be divided into 3 segments.

Abba Thomas Adly, Bishop of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef for the Catholic Copts, headed the meeting of the fathers of the diocesan priests to discuss the pastoral service in the upcoming period. They agreed to take all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. During the meeting, all the works and the needs of the churches and parishes were reviewed. Then, Thomas Adly thanked all the fathers for their great efforts, and concluded the meeting with prayer and apostolic blessing.

Bishop Yoannis of Assiut Diocese held an online meeting with the congregation of Assiut through the official page of the diocese on Facebook. This comes as the church services are suspended due to the spread of Corona virus, but only holy masses are held in the diocese.

The Coptic Orthodox Church denied rumors about Bishop Illaryon of Western Alexandria was infected with Corona virus. Sources in the Church said that the bishop is in good health and continues his service in a normal way.

Bishop Aghathon of Maghagha decided to reopen churches in his diocese and called the people to fast and pray that God may save the world from COVID-19 epidemic. He called the people to abstain from eating till noon like the church did in the days of Pope Cyril V during the Cholera epidemic.

In a gesture of love, a group of Muslims gathered after praying in the mosque and headed to the churches of Abu Qurqas in Beni Suef to sterilize them in preparation to its reopening soon. The priests of the churches offered their thanks to the youth and described their action as great act of love and unity among the Egyptians.