Christ is coming on a colt to visit our open hearts as churches are closed. Let’s offer our properties and pure hearts under his feet as the people of Jerusalem received him on Palm Sunday. We may avoid shouting crucify him with the Jews who were stupid enough to believe they are more important than Jesus Christ. Just like some people who visit the church on the feasts to be praised for doing so by church leaders instead of being humble and thankful to be allowed in the house of God. Those people were expelled by Jesus Christ from the temple since they trade on the house and its Lord. On the contrary, God opens his house and arms for the simple whose houses and hearts are opened churches at all times. It was written by Al-Maqrizi in the eleventh century when the ruler Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah closed the churches of Egypt for nine years, but one day he wandered around houses of the Copts to see how the decision affected their faith, but he heard praises and prayers coming out from all Coptic houses. The ruler said: Let them pray as they wish, because I wanted to close a church in each street, but today I discovered that my decision opened a church in every single house! The churches are now closed due to the epidemic, but the Lord will gather us shortly to wash us the legs and hearts since he loves Egypt and its people. Egypt was mentioned 560 times in the Old Testament, and 24 times in the New Testamenet. Many times were its people and its cities mentioned in the Holy Bible. Many Happy return to the blessed Egypt His people.

The whole world now has nothing to talk about except opening the economy, from what I read about different pandemic in the past that a lot of countries rushed to open the economy and that caused a lot of death to happen more than before. For Example, when the Spanish flu started, many states in the US rushed to open the economy and unfortunately that caused more death than the benefits people get from opening it.

A reassuring message is written in the bible in (Habakkuk 3:5). It says: Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. The book of Habakkuk sends reassurance in the souls that the epidemic, no matter how severe and powerful, it fades before God Almighty. His Eminence, Benjamin Bishop of Menoufia, said in his article The Epidemic and the Work of God explained to us that God is accepts prayers in the time of the epidemic, just like God stopped the epidemic spread in front of Moses the Prophet and Aaron. The high priest took incense and ran among the congregation. We need to trust in the power of the Lord and remember his promise: Surely he will save you from the fowler s snare and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91: 3) Bishop Bemjamin made clear that the appearance of the pandemic has its medical reasons, as well as spiritual ones. For example, the lack of true worship and the spread of weak prayers and transcendence, self-love and hidden hatred and other misdeeds. This was the reason of the epidemic as stated in (Deuteronomy 28: 20) The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. The real solution is the necessity of repentance, and this is what we learn from the account of the Samaritan woman, the people of Nineveh, the blood-bleeder who has recovered, the daughter of the widow and the paralytic, the blind child, and many who have received the blessing of recovery mixed with repentance.

Visit Egypt from home is a slogan raised by the Ministry of Tourism in its campaign to organize virtual visits to archaeological sites with a 360-degree photography online technique. This comes under the precautionary measures taken due to the spread of the Corona virus in many countries of the world. The Ministry started this project in cooperation with foreign archaeological institutes, as it began displaying the Menes Cemetery, one of the nobles tombs in the Western mainland in Luxor, which dates back to the eighteenth family in cooperation with the American Research Center. Officials of the American Research Center showed on their official page the scenes of the cemetery in Luxor accompanied by the comment: A pleasant visit to this beautiful cemetery, and wait for more archeological sites every two weeks until the end of the summer season. The online tour offers an explanation in English for all the details of the cemetery that kept its colors over thousands of years. This technology allows the visitors to get closer to details of the cemetery. The ministry confirmed that this step came to promote Egypt in all countries of the world where this idea will develop in displaying some of the archaeological places during the coming period. A greeting to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and to everyone who contributed to the work of this initiative.

Despite the spread and the suffering of the Corona virus epidemic, many people are still wandering in the streets for no good reasons. Many women in popular areas allow their children to play in the streets as if they are in vacation. It seems that the story of people’s failure to adhere to moral standards and public procedures existed many years ago. It was documented in a social study by the researcher Yaqoub Fam, entitled ‘Studies in ethics of raising boys’. The study was prepared more than 70 years ago. The researcher says that individuals in developed countries makes every effort to make its residents comfortable. He mentions a story about his trip to the USA where he and his friend were riding a car and using a powerful torch to light the way. sometimes the writer pointed it at houses, but his friend rebuked him assuring that this mistake may annoy people and wake them up. The writer said that in developed countries people can’t do this or even use the horn at night for the same reason. It should be known that laws are not the only reason his friend wanted to respect others, since such laws come to assure what is already respected in the society. This should be reflected in the current crisis of Corona virus as people should care for the others, and not only for their own benefits.

I wonder how could a group of businessmen demand the sacrifice of thousands of individuals in order to save the country from bankruptcy? The Corona catastrophe came to reveal the reality of human selfishness, and the survival instinct that don’t mind sacrificing others in order to save oneself. Our planet is full of hopes, aspirations, contradictions, tragedies, love and hatred, or simply good and bad. It has so many social classes, the rich, the average, and the poor. All of them are struggling to survive the pandemic, but how can they do this away from hateful selfishness. The Titanic ship gives us a lesson through the love between the poor man Jack and the Aristocratic girl Rose showed us that human beings are able to love and care for one another as people. Jack sacrificed his life for to save Rose and caring for one another is the key to success and overcoming the crisis of corona, and preventing the country from bankruptcy.

After this pandemic hit Egypt, the main concern now is the irregular workers who don t have any back up plan to feed their families. Unfortunately, Egypt doesn t have any plan for such people and they will suffer either from hunger because they don t have any other source of income or they will suffer from threats of being sick because they have to leave their homes and work to feed their families.

In the framework of the fight against Coronavirus, Egypt s president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi held a meeting with senior officials to put a plan to combat the spread of the virus in addition to securing borders and countering terrorism. This is the opposite of what was done by the Turkish president who exploited the Corona virus and transmitted it by his mercenaries in Libya. Furthermore, he is trading on the crisis by collecting donations and opening a bank account to raise fund for fighting Coronavirus. Yet, this didn t prevent him from receiving a plane from Qatar worth of $ 500 million in addition to supporting his mercenaries. There is no comparison between President Sisi and the terrorist Erdogan who committed different international crimes. I don t like to praise presidents and leaders, but I see future vision and plan implemented by the Egyptian government to save the country against the intimidation of Coronavirus.

We experience today a great trick promoted by the media, which is called the Coronavirus. We have experienced similar tricks like swine flu and Ebola virus. It happened that a friend of mine passed away, after suffering from Cancer. His funeral was held in a popular neighborhood called Bassatin, where the people are having a normal life without extra cleaning or sanitizing procedures and non of them put on a mask. Yet, they have suffered nothing and non of them was reported positive! In few days, the world will announce the end of the epidemic and that the crisis is over. I know the crisis is only caused by illusion where a person is under the illusion of a high temperature, or shortness of breath, which are the symptoms promoted by the media. This is our real virus that exaggerate the problems.

Our Christian believe that God disciplines those whom He loves. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12) This is clear as the psalm says: ‘ The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death. (Psalm 118: 18) Thus, if we consider such pandemic as punishment or rather a discipline from the Lord, we should not forget about his love as lover of mankind. He only wants us to return to his bosom and to live with him. It is written: ‘Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 1: 3) Also Jesus said: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5: 17) However, he is offering forgiveness ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 9) In fact, God is trying to return us by all means. It is not a matter of wrath, but endless love. He is God who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ((1 Timothy 2: 4)

The peoples of the world are now living in a climate full of anxiety and fear of infection with the Coronavirus amid strict precautionary measures taken by the governments all over the world as a result of this deadly epidemic. All institutions were affected, including churches and monasteries of various denominations. The people were deprived from participating in prayers and Sunday Schools, and they were only allowed to watch them online. Christian televisions are broadcasting several programs and are doing a great service at this difficult time. People are praying to God to save them from this pandemic, especially as we approach the celebration of resurrection. Yet, the procedures may be prolonged, and the strict procedures may continue. This means that the people will be deprived from attending the Holy Liturgy inside the Church. At such hard times, most countries of the world cooperated and leave the differences aside, even problems and wars and unite to care for humanity and to support one another. I know that Christian Channels broadcast the prayers, but there are different timing, which means each country has different celebration. I hope that all the peoples unite and broadcast each liturgy from different country on time starting with New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe And east of the United States of America, Canada and Australia, the Gulf states, Egypt and the south and west of the United States. This will allow everybody to follow-up services inside the church as full as possible even if they are not allowed to attend church due to Coronavirus.

While everyone was busy and couldn t find a minute to set a lone and enjoy the moment without being rushed to do something whatever this thing is work, play, watch TV, Reading, Covid19, give people another aspect of life that was not available before. Covid19, gave all people the chance to set a lone, some people call it boring and some other people call free time, however, some other people find it a great chance to set a lone and enjoy the moment of not being rushed or must run from place to place to finish something.

I know that the horror of Corona virus will end soon, and I shall tell you why. God from time to time would like to request and save what has perished just as he did at the cross with crucifixion and redemption. He only reminds us of his presence and love, especially for those who are lost and far from his bosom. God who transferred the mountain of Muqattam after the prayers of his people of Egypt will surely listen to prayers of millions of people all over the world. The holy week will come soon and the Christian people will cry to the Lord day and night asking for mercy. God has allowed the Egyptians to suffer in the past in Plagues of Egypt, but today it is a message of love as God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) I see this pandemic as message of love and warnings so that we can go back to his bosom and ask for the mercies of God. We shall worship God and cry for his mercy and He will surely listen and save His people.

I always tell my friends who are subjected to verbal intimidation by some Islamists that they should not be angry with these insults, but rather to be happy because these insults indicate that our words are actually making some change. I find 3 kinds of those rude religious people: First, the negligent rabble and they know nothing about Islam and are used by the political Islam leaders to intimidate the opposition. This was declared by Gomaa Amin, member of the Muslim Brotherhood supreme council, that the MB obtain victory through its negligent members. In fact, they are useful even for the intellectuals since this kind reveals the ugly face of the extremists. Second, the arrogant ghettos who think they have and know it all. They are interested in insulting Christianity in order to appear powerful, but in fact they reveal their own weakness and ignorance. Third, the organized people who follow organizations. Those insult you in a political speech and accuse you of being follower of the regime. All of them know nothing about democracy and don’t accept freedom of speech and other freedoms. Political Islam has fallen and is turing into a despised minority like the Nazis in Germany.

For the second time in few years, Egypt imposes curfew ‬, but it should be noted that special procedures need to be taken. The government should think how many hours are needed for the people to buy their basic needs. Are basic commodities available for a period of time, and their prices should be kept low since many people are not working and they are not able to work and provide for their families. From one side, those who work for the private and public sector should receive their wages in order to be able to provide for their families. From the other, what will happen to thousands of those who work on daily basis. I hope this scenario won t make the people angry and bored due to the curfew. This way there will be extra burden on the security forces. I think we need to raise awareness among the people of social distancing.

Looking at the clock and hearing its clicks as if they are hitting my face. I imagine having power to freeze time, but I know I don’t have it. I have many questions in my head: Where are we going? when that crises will come to an end? This pandemic proved we are very weak and life is very complicated. We are like a tiny gear in a huge machine. I believe that the life will not return to the original situation after the crisis is over. Those who will be lucky to survive the pandemic will have to face collapse of the stock market, sharp decline in oil prices, high unemployment rates, increase in the public budget deficit, the high value of the domestic and external public debt, high inflation rates, increasing price of dollar exchange rate, which may reach 50 EGP, collapse of real estate and land prices. Dear gentlemen, the situation is very serious, not only on health, but on all other aspects of life.

The world nowadays is panicking about Coronavirus and trying to take cautious measures and impose emergency around the country, however, Egypt, unfortunately is not taking serious measures to prevent this disease from spreading. For example, the government announced closure of coffee shops and restaurants from 7pm to 6 am which means that restaurants and coffee shops will work for almost 12 hours a day and in my opinion that is very long hours for the seriousness of this disease.

An initiative to empower women was launched by the Ministry of Environment to clean and plant rooftop within the framework of the governorate s sustainable development plan. 400 job opportunities were enabled as women were trained to recycle and plant rooftops in cooperation with “Plant a tree organization along with the celebration of International Women s Day. One of the participants described the initiative as a source of hope for single mothers who represent 30% of Egyptian families. The initiative came to empower women and save the environment. The project aims to achieve the sustainable development goals of Egypt 2030, as it achieves the economic, social and environmental dimensions. The participants receive also free support, seeds and training. Greetings to Dr. Yasmine Fouad and all those working with her, with my best wishes.

I lived my life without fearing death. However, I had to face it several times in war and in surgeries. Yet, I suffer these days when I see the poor dying because of the floods. They had to live in very bad conditions and nobody cared for them till they died. Hearing discussions of people thinking that religion is against science make me feel sick. They think that Niqab provides protection against Coronavirus and some of them see taking communion as a matter of faith. I pray that minds don’t get lost in that account. Being positive and help other people is crucial, especially in hard circumstances, but people criticized Bishop Makarious of Minya for getting on the streets and help the poor after the floods. They said he shouldn’t appear helping others and accused him of making a show. Yet, he was not the one who took the photos for social media. Their hatred for the man made him attack even the good things that he does! I see this as death of their conscience. Such death appeared clearly with the pharmacists who raised the price of sanitizers and masks without realizing that the epidemic will affect them and death will prolong them and their money as well. Welcome death that will take me away from the so called living, but dead by reason and conscience.

The life will inevitably come to an end and everyone will stand before God the just Judge on the last day. The Church reminds us of this throughout the year in the daily prayers to make us ready to meet the Lord. His Eminence Bishop Bakhoumius of Beheira, Matrouh and North Africa said in his article Fasting and Preparing for Heaven talked about how to prepare to meet God on the last day, explaining that repentance is the only way to get prepared for that day. Such repentance can be achieved by fasting and praying. The Great Lent is a season for repentance and worship asking for mercy. The Agbeya is another set of messages to repent each day showing us that we are weak and to remind us that life will eventually come to an end. Therefore, fasting supports our spiritual struggle in life and spiritual readings lead us in the way. We should have hope in God’s mercy and ask for saint’s intercessions to support us in life. It is time to seek repentance in order to have a joyful meeting with God.