Israeli soldiers and police officers are using unacceptable and excessive use of force on Coptic monks and deacons as they lawfully protested the execution of an order that contravenes a standing Israeli Supreme Court ruling on property in favor of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Coptic clergy, accompanying His Eminence Archbishop Antonios, Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop of Jerusalem, were peacefully demonstrating at the Sultan Monastery in Jerusalem s Old City, officially the property of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Urgent restoration work has been needed for some time, and the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate had offered on numerous occasions to carry out the required work itself, but was refused. This work is now being carried out by Israeli authorities on their own terms, without the approval of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, and while preventing Archbishop Antonios access throughout.

Christian Students Union concluded today its meeting entitled Peace-building and Anti-Violence in Lebanon from October 8 to 14. Young people from several Arab countries participated in the conference including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iraq and Sudan. After the meeting, the participants visited the Sabra and Shatila camp in order to learn about the activities presented in the camp.

Nabila Makram, Egypt s Minister of Immigration launched Speak Egyptian initiative that aims to preserve the Egyptian identity and culture. The Ministry designed an application to introduce Egypt to the second and third generation of Egyptian immigrants.

Abba Aghathon, Bishop of Brazil, is visiting Sidney on Friday in a pastoral car visit from October 12 to November 4. The Diocese prepared a busy schedule for His Grace including daily masses and meetings with the congregation

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, held a meeting with priests of Canada and their wives. The meeting comes in the framework of his visit to the United States of America in a pastoral care visit.

The Coptic Orthodox diocese in Sidney mourned today the departure of Abba Bishoy, Metropolitan of Kafr El-Sheikh and the head of the Monastery of St. Demiana. Abba Daniel, bishop of Sidney offered his sincere condolences to Pope Tawadros and the Coptic church in the departure of a great Christian scholar Theologist.

In the framework of the initiative We, the Egyptian Armenians Egyptian and Armenian ministers of Migration visited the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in Ramsis, Cairo, in the presence of Armenian ambassador to Cairo. The delegation met with the Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Ashod Montkassian, who told them about the historic church.

Abba Daniel, Bishop of Sydney witnessed the celebration of the diocese of the 45th anniversary of the ordination of Father Tadrus Samaan, the priest of the Church and deputy of the diocese. The celebration was held at the church of St. Anthony and St. Paul in Sydney.

Sunday school children in Coptic churches in the Australian celebrated the Coptic new year entitled Nayrouz. The celebrations this year commemorated the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya. St. Demiana church in Benshbowl, Sydney, and St. Anthony church in Geelford were no exception as remnants and icons of the martyrs were honored among Coptic hymns and spiritual activities.

Dr. Abdel Aziz Qanswa, new Governor of Alexandria, received a delegation from the Church leaders in Alexandria to congratulate him on his assumption of the new post. The delegation included Bishop Pavly of Eastern Alexandria, Abba Kirilos, head and bishop of St. Mina monastery in Mariout and representatives of the General congregation Council of Alexandria.

Une jeune touriste russe a été agressée sexuellement sous l eau par un plongeur égyptien alors qu elle faisait de la plongée en apnée. C est ce qu a fait savoir un autre plongeur, qui avait réussi à sauver la fille, sur sa page Facebook. Son post a été largement partagé sur les réseaux sociaux et repris jusqu à aujourd hui par les médias internationaux. L internaute, prénommé Mohamed Hany, a appuyé sa publication par des photos montrant l agresseur en train de molester la fille sous l eau.

Copts at Kasr Haidar village in Assiut had to hold a funeral of a deceased man in the streets after the fanatics have forced them to shut down the church. Congregation of the church expressed their disappointment at the closure of their church and that police was not able to protect them.

Abba Angelos, Bishop of London, concluded his visit to Australia and returned to London on Thursday. The visit lasted for 6 days during which he held several meetings with Coptic youth and visited several churches as well as the ministry of Archangel Michael for nuns.

St. Mary church in Brighton celebrated the feast of the Virgin in the streets holding Coptic icons and chanting the melodies of the feast. The celebration was attended by Ibrahim Ayyad, the chanter of the Great Cathedral of St. Mark who sermonized about the Coptic rituals and melodies.

Abba Angelos, Bishop of London, celebrated today the Vesper prayers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Cathedral in Sydney. It is decided that he will celebrate the feast tomorrow at the Church of the Virgin and St. Markourers in Rhodes.

A delegation from the Orthodox Church in Alexandria visited Dr. Mohamed Sultan, governor of Alexandria to congratulate him on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The delegation was headed by Abba Kyrillos, Bishop and Head of the Monastery of St. Mina in Mariout, and Abba Paveli, Bishop of Montazah.

During his visit to Melbourne, Coptic Youth of Melbourne Bishopric celebrated Bishop Angelos birthday. For his part, bishop Angelos thanked the youth and bishop Soriel of Melbourne and sermonized about the word of God and its importance in our lives.

Abba Aghathon, Bishop of Maghagha and Adwa, made an official complaint against the seventh day newspaper and the journalist Sara Allam. The newspaper and journalist were accused of insulting the bishop and publishing false information.

Abba Angelius Angelos, Bishop of London, arrives on 19 August to Melbourne Airport Coming from Sydney as part of his pastoral visit to Australia this weekend. He is going to hold a meeting with Coptic youth of Melbourne at the Church of St. Bishoy and St. Verena in Eporo building.

St. Mark Episcopal Cathedral in Alexandria organized the 17th Art without walls exhibition. The exhibition was opened by Consuls of US and England in Egypt and was attended by a number of religious leaders and artists. The 17th Art without Walls exhibition featured more than 200 artists, including paintings, sculptures and handicrafts.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has issued a statement concerning the murder at dawn today of Anba Epiphanius, Abbot of the Monastery of St Macarius in Wadi al-Natroun in Egypt s Western Desert. The Abbot had been discovered dead, lying in a pool of blood, having been hit on the head from behind with a sharp heavy object. Obviously, he was caught by his killer as he headed from his cell to church to attend Matins Praise that usually precedes Sunday Mass. The Church s statement, which described Anba Epiphanius as an honorable monk and scholar, declared that his death was shrouded in ambiguity, and thus the authorities concerned were notified. “Investigations are now ongoing,” the statement said, “and we await the outcome.