In its online meeting yesterday, the Evangelical Church issued several decisions concerning the Egyptian government to reopen houses of worship starting from next Saturday. The Church decided to suspend prayers for July 6 till leaders of the churches have the time to present the plan. The weddings and funerals shall be attended by 25% of the capacity of the churches following the rules of social distancing. Ordinations are allowed provided that they follow the preventive measures. Pastoral visits shall be suspended, and services shall be broadcast online and the communion shall not be held till churches are reopened.

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that the permanent committee of the Holy Synod will meet on Saturday 27 June to take the appropriate decisions concerning the return of prayer in churches in accordance with the decisions of the government to reopen houses of worship. He added that the churches will be opened in the governorates that are less infected by the Corona virus and with all precautionary and preventive measures.

Evangelical Church held an online meeting today to discuss churches reopening according to the decisions taken by the Egyptian government to reopen houses of worship starting from next Saturday. The Evangelical Community had formed a committee at the end of last May to prepare a plan for the reopening of churches that includes all precautionary and preventive measures to confront the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Catholic Church announced today the new decisions concerning the holy masses, which comes with church reopening next Saturday. The church will open with 25% of the church’s capacity and to consider 1.5 meter between worshippers. Each priest shall hold one or two holy masses daily to enable the congregation to attend the holy masses. The decisions also included to put the holy bread in the hands of the people and wait to make sure they were put in the mouth. The children under 6 years shall not receive communion during this exceptional time.

Adel Agib, President of the Coptic American association, announced his full support to the President Al-Sisi in all the decisions and actions he takes in order to protect the Egyptian national security and defend its sacred borders after direct threats of the Turkish army mercenaries and terrorist militias in Libyan territory. The association announced its full trust and support to the Egyptian administration. On the other hand, the Egyptian community in New York City and New Jersey announced a signature campaign to support Egypt and President El-Sisi in protecting Egypt s national security.

Joseph Malak, director of the Egyptian Center for Development Studies and Human Rights, commented on the return of Christine Zarif, 22 year old girl in Alexandria, after she posted a video on her page that she decided to convert into Islam, that such videos are not considered a trusted tool and could be shot under certain conditions and pressure. He added it is the right time to restore advice and guidance sessions for those who want to convert into Islam to make sure they are taking such decision under no pressure. He added that Christine’s return opens the door to doubt the other video published by Rania Abdul Massieh from Menoufia govenroate who posted similar video couple of weeks ago

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that former Acting Patriarch Abba Pachomius is sound, and denied rumors about his death. He also invited everybody to avoid sharing such news without making sure of their sources, and that the media center of the Coptic Church is the only trusted source of information about the church father

Christine Zarif, 22 years old girl who disappeared a few days ago in ​​Alexandria, returned yesterday to her family after she had announced in a video that she decided to convert into Islam. Zarif explained she was very confused when she recorded the video, which reveals such recorded videos are not trustworthy.

Coptic Orthodox Church thanked the National Press Authority for its support during recent crisis of Rose Al-Youssef magazine that insulted the church and Bishop Raphael of Central Cairo Churches. The Rose Al-Youssef Egyptian magazine placED His Eminence Bishop Raphael next to the terrorist Muhammad Badi at its cover and accused him of challenging the Pope and killing people in the name of God for refusing to change the method of taking communion using spoon! The Church has issued a statement to condemn the insult and promised to file lawsuit against those responsible of the magazine, which was supported by the National Press Authority that opened investigation into the case and assured the good relations with the church.

The Rose Al-Youssef Egyptian magazine changed its cover that sparked controversy and anger among the Copts placing His Eminence Bishop Raphael next to the terrorist Muhammad Badi and accusing him of challenging the Pope and killing people in the name of God for refusing to change the method of taking communion using spoon! The Church has issued a statement to condemn the insult and promised to file lawsuit against those responsible of the magazine, which was supported by the National Press Authority that opened investigation into the case and assured the good relations with the church.

The Egyptian government announced that 70 churches and service buildings were legalized this month. The majority of legalized churches this time from Assiut, Suhag, Tahta, Minya and Beni Suef.

The Menoufia Police released all the Copts arrested in Izbat Mena. 15 Copts have been arrested in the village for holding a silent protest in front of the homes of the family of Rania Abdel-Masih, the Coptic woman who disappeared last month. Father Kozman, priest of the Church of the village, said that the youth who demonstrated didn’t break the law and were wearing masks, but they were arrested and are currently being investigated.

Coptic activists in Alexandria demanded to announce the feast Christ entry into Egypt as a national holiday in Egypt, which can bring many benefits to Egypt. This comes as Egypt is the only country outside Jerusalem that was visited by the Holy Family, and there are many historic places to be visited on the path of the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt.

For the first time on the feast of the Virgin Mary, the celebrations were canceled at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Jabal al-Tir, which were attended by 1.5 million visitors each year. Father Dawood Nshid, deputy of Samalout diocese, said that celebrations were canceled due to the spread of Corona virus and to follow the decision of the Holy Synod to close churches and monasteries to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The Holy Family have hidden in a cave inside the monastery for three days, and is considered an important place to visit by pilgrims.

The Catholic Church in Egypt issued a statement concerning the reopen of Churches, in which it announced to continue closure of Churches for another notice. The Synod of the Catholic Church in Egypt will hold another meeting in two weeks to decided when to reopen the churches. The statement explained that Holy Liturgy will not be held during this period, while funerals, baptism and marriage ceremonies will be held with minimum attendance, while other activates will be suspended.

The security forces of Menoufia have arrested 15 Copts in the village of Mena in Menoufia for holding a silent protest in front of the homes of the family of Rania Abdel-Masih, the Coptic woman who disappeared last month. Father Kozman, priest of the Church of the village, said that the youth who demonstrated didn’t break the law and were wearing masks, but they were arrested and are currently being investigated.

Bishop Moussa, the General Bishop of Youth, mounted today Mina Boutros, the young man who was killed by the Coronavirus. The young man was one of the servants of the May 15 city in Helwan, and was known for being a good servant like an angel who has returned to his original heavenly residence, according to Bishop Moussa.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that And based on the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Epidemics, he will decide to open places of worship for the weekends explaining that we need them opened as soon as possible. United States has shut down all houses of worship to prevent the spread of Corona virus, but now Trump thinks it is the right time to reopen them as we need prayers the most.

Raymond Abdel-Masih, brother of the disappeared Coptic woman Rania Abdel-Masih, denied rumors about her return, assuring that such fake news cause harm to the family at such hard times. He explained that the family is now retreating to pray for her return and safety. For their part, police announced that the matter is currently under investigation.

Ghali Iskandar, Lawyer of the Coptic Church in Behira, said that Father Yassa Sobhy of the church of St. Karas in Koum Faraj, Abul Matamir, Bhira was injured while City Council demolished unsilenced Church and a mosque. The church was built 15 years ago but it was not yet legalized and some clashes happened with the Muslims of the village before they built a mosque in front of the church. The City Council ordered to demolish of the unlicensed buildings though the church filed a law suit to stop the decision and legalize the church. The City Council applied the decision and police have attacked the priest who tried to prevent the demolishing of the buildings.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi continues his approach to support equal citizenship and confronting the ideology of hate by opening a church in all new cities. Today, the Egyptian president opened the Cathedral of the Virgin and St. Philopatir and St. Karas in Bashayer Al-Khair project in Alexandria. The president was accompanied by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, and a number of members of the Holy Synod.