The total number of victims among worshipers at Al-Rawda mosque increased yesterday to 311 people after another injured man died in hospital. Abdul Rahaman Moussa Salman was declared the latest victim of the bloody terrorist attack in Arish.

Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church said that Pope Tawadros II will celebrate Christmas in Egypt. He pointed out that the Pope will arrive in Cairo after the end of the period of convalescence, which lasts two weeks.

Father Poulos Halim, the official spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that Pope Twadros II underwent a microscopic surgery in the backbone. Pope had traveled last Wednesday to Germany to undergo the surgery. The church had announced the stop of weekly sermon of His Holiness for unidentified period of time because of this journey.

The Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Egypt, Ibrahim Ishaq, held prayers for Pope Tawadros safety and speedy recovery. Pope had traveled on Wednesday to undergo a backbone surgery in the Schön Klinik hospital in Germany. The hospital announced that the Patriarch underwent a successful spinal surgery.

Islam, a child who survived the terrorist attack at Al-Rawda mosque, said that more than 25 terrorists covering their faces started shooting at the worshippers and they were competing who kills more. The boy hid himself in the rest room when the attack started and when he went out he found the dead body of his father among hundreds of murdered people.

Abba Pfnotious, bishop of Samalout, inaugurated the ancient church of St. Mina in Taha Aameda. The church dates back to the 7th century and includes 3 alters and covered with 9 domes mounted on wooden veins. The church also includes the biggest bath in the Coptic Orthodox Churches which was used at the Epiphany feast.

German administrative court has refused to give a Palestinian man the German citizenship because of his ties with Muslim Brotherhood. The court justified this by saying that the values of this person are not in line with the German Constitution and the democratic principles. According to Deutsche Welle, he was born in Libya in 1978 and moved to Germany in 1996, where he studied and lived. In December 2011, the Palestinian man applied for German citizenship but the security examination showed some doubts about his political and religious positions that do not comply with the Constitution, which led to the refusal of his request.

Police in Assiut were reported about the disappearance of Mariam Fahmy, 19 years old. As she was returning from her family s home, the woman told her husband in a phone call that she will be at home in 10 minutes, but she never returned home.

Copts in Forn Chruch celebrate the first Holy Mass in the new church of St. Mary and Archangel Michael in Forn village. The priests and congregation were very happy to celebrate the feast of Archangel Michael at the same occasion.

Abba Paula, Bishop of Tanta, said for the first time in his life, the Egyptian government have positive attitude towards the Copts. He added during his meeting with members of the delegation of the National Council for the Care of the Families of Martyrs and Victims that Copts are enjoying what they did not enjoy before in Egypt.

French Interior Minister promised to prevent Muslims from praying on the streets. This came after several members of the Parliament considered such prayers unacceptable usage of public spaces. More than 100 French MPs demonstrated against holding Islamic prayers in the streets.

President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi received a delegation of leaders of the evangelical denominations who are visiting Egypt to participate in the celebration of 500th anniversary of the religious reform movement and the establishment of the Evangelical community. President said that eliminating terrorism requires concerted effort of the international community and the adoption of an effective strategy in that account.

Coptic Orthodox Church announced today the death of Father Abdul Malak of St. Paula monastery. The monk served the monastery of St. Anthony in Jerusalem.

Four employees in Egyptian public communication company were arrested on charges of joining terrorist group and embracing Takfiri thought. The prosecution accused them of forming a cell that espoused Takfiri ideology and joining the terrorist organization of ISIS aiming to destabilizing the public peace and carrying out acts of hostility against Copts and army.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said after the ordination of the new bishops that Bishop task is a great responsibility rather than honor. He added that a bishop should be modest and shepherd who cares for his children everywhere. Pope said that ego and selfishness are the main enemies of the ministry.

Esam Bedewy, Governor of Minya, started a plan to develop the route of the holy family in Minya in cooperation with several organizations and institutions. This came after the area was announced a tourism place for Christian pilgrimage from all over the world.

4 new monks were ordained at St. Paula monastery in the Red Sea by Abba Daniel, Bishop of the monastery, Abba Antonious, Bishop of Jerusalem, Abba Youstos, Bishop of St. Anthony monastery, Abba Kyrilous, Bishop of Nag Hammadi, Abba Youannis, Bishop of Assiut, Abba Aghathon, bishop of Brazil, and Abba Youssif, Bishop of Bolivia. 3 more monks were ordained priests as well.

Coptic Orthodox Church in Benha and Quesna started its education development project entitled ‘the heritage of our church.. spirit and life’. The project aims to train 1000 church leaders including priests and ministers.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, received new Italian ambassador to Egypt Giampaolo Cantini in the papal headquarter at the Cathedral of St. Mark in Abbassia. During the meeting, they discussed the recent activities and expansion of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Abba Markos, Bishop of Shubra el-Kheima, said that police have taken extra security measures to secure the church of Pope Cyril and Habib Gerges after receiving threats. He added that the fanatics claim the church is not yet legalize, but they have applied for the legalization process two month ago.

Coptic priest Father Makari Younan was acquitted by court decision after he was accused of defamation of Islam. The priest has replied to a Muslim Sheikh called Salem Abdul Jalil who described Christianity as a corrupted faith, which was considered insult to Islam.