Police in Luxor is taking extra security measures to prepare for the celebrations of St. George monastery in Rizigat, Luxor. Thousands of Copts and Muslims visit the monastery at the celebration to be blessed by the martyr St. George.

Under the patronage of His Grace Bishop Beyman of Qus, the church of St. George and the Thibian Legion celebrated the martyrdom feast of the Saints Victor and Arsus. Several people attended the celebration from nearby dioceses to be blessed by the holy relics and enjoyed melodies and the special rituals.

His Holiness Abba Hedra, Archbishop of Aswan and head of St. Pachomius Monastery in Edvo, left hospital in Los Angeles, USA, after he underwent a surgery to change the right knee joint. He stayed at the hospital for one day to check on the success of the operation and will begin the physical therapy in couple of days.

Abba Mettaws, head of St. Mary monastery the Syrian, celebrated the holy mass at St. George Church in Rome with Father Pachomius of the Syrian monastery and Father Theofilus deputy of the diocese, and Father Dionsus of St. Mina Monastery and Father John of St. Anthony monastery. 470 Kilometers away from Rome, Abba Pernaba, Bishop of Rome, celebrated the Holy Mass at the Coptic church in Ridgo Emilia city and held meeting with its congregation.

Bishops Barnabas of Roma and Binyamen of Menofia concluded the priests conference which lasted for 6 days. During the conference they discussed problems of the priests and held open discussion with their families.

Bishop Bemen of Naqada and Qus announced the start of new semester at the Bible study Institute in Qus The institute was opened last year at St. Stephen Cathedral in Qus and has received 65 scholars.

Abba Yousab, bishop of Luxor, honored hundreds of graduates and outstanding students of the bishopric. The celebration was held at the Saints monastery in Luxor and included several choirs and theater performance.

Abba Shrobeim, Bishop of Qena, celebrated the holy mass at the church of St. Mary in Qena to celebrate the feat of the martyrdom of Saint Rebecca. During the feast, he perfumed the remains of Saint Rebecca and the three peasants.

Abba Giovany, Bishop of Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Poland, has celebrated the holy mass at the church of St. Demiana in Naqada. Abba Bemen, Bishop of Naqada, received the Bishop of Hungary and accompanied him during visiting a number of churches of the diocese.

The Coptic Church of Turin and Rome celebrated the glorious feast of Nayrouz starting with the oly mass headed by His Grace Bishop Barnabas and the clergy of Rome. During the celebration, three deacons were ordained at the rank of Ebsaltus and the choir presented a number of Coptic hymns and spiritual songs.

The Qena Archbishop celebrated today the return of Bishop Sharubim of Qena who was receiving medical treatment abroad. The celebration was attended by clergy and congregation of the diocese.

The Church of St. George and the Theban Legion in Gragos, Qus, celebrated the feast of St. Verena. The celebration was attended by hundreds of the people of the church who witnessed the perfume of remains of St. Verena and took her blessings.

The Priests of Dishna Diocese denied rumors about the removal of Pope Shenouda s images from the churches of the diocese. They added that Abba Takla, Bishop of Dishna presented pictures of the late Pope to be put at churches administrative building, and always takes pride in being ordained by the late Pope Shenouda and even ordained a priest named Shenouda.

Abba Hedra, Metropolitan of Aswan, traveled to the United States on a therapeutic trip to change the left knee joint. He was received in America by a number of his beloved sons who wish him speedy recovery.

Abba Kyrilos, Bishop of Nag Hammadi, celebrated the Holy Mass at the church of St. Mary in Torino, Italy. The Holy Mass was attended by Abba Bernabas, Bishop of Torino and Rome and congregation of the church.

Sunday school committee at Dishna diocese organized a spiritual meeting for the ministers in the presence of Abba Bemen, bishop of Qus, and Abba Takla, bishop of Dishna. The ministers visited the body of St. Besntaus that was recently discovered at the monastery.

Abba Beyman, Bishop of the Qus and Naqada Diocese and the Head of the Monastery of the Archangel Michael in Basrah, celebrated the Holy Mass at the Monastery of the Great Saint Abba Bsentaous in Naqada. He perfumed the remains of the saint whose body was discovered couple of days ago under the main alter of the monastery. The cemetery dates back nearly 14 centuries.

Abba Hedra, Bishop of Aswan, ordained two new priests for the ministry in the diocese. Father Youacim Thabet was ordained on the church of St. Anthony in Abu Simbel and Father Angelos Jaber on the church of the Three Holy Boys in Aswan.

The service of ecclesiastical education in the Church of St. George Church in Bisharat celebrated Centennial anniversary of Sunday School founded by Habib Girgis. Former ministers of the Sunday school were honored in the meeting.

Abba Joaquim, Bishop of Esna and Armant, celebrated the Holy Mass at the opening of Keraza Festival in the diocese in St. George Church in Armant. The church presented a gift for the bishop on the occasion of the third anniversary of his enthronement as general bishop of the diocese.

The Monastery of Abba Pachomius Al-Shayeb in Luxor celebrated yesterday the feast of the departure of the saint. The celebration was headed by Abba Silwanos, bishop of the monastery and Abba Youssab, bishop of Luxor.