The monastery of the Virgin Mary Muharraq started its annual celebrations in Assiut on the occasion of the Feast of the Virgin Mary that lasts till June 28th. The celebrations attended by thousands of the Coptic congregation who are currently fasting the apostles fasting.

Bishop Youssef of the southern United States, visited the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Netherlands in a pastoral care visit lasting for 4 days. He was recieved by Bishop Arsani of the Netherlands and held several meetings with hundreds of Coptic young people in Amsterdam.

Yesterday a number of extremists in the village of Ashin al-Nassarah in Magaghah, Minya, gathered to denounce a post insulting islam according to their leaders. They passed before the church without attacking it, but they attacked houses belong to family of the man accused of posting insults for Islam on his Facebook account. Police arrested 25 suspects in the attack on two houses of Fadi Yousif s relatives, including his father s house. The accused young man, his brother and two of his uncles, all living in Giza, were arrested and deported to Minya to be investigated.

The monastery of St. Philopatir for nuns celebrated the anniversary of receiving his remains. The monastery opened its doors on that occasion before all visitors despite the start of the fasting of the holy Apostles during which the monastery is closed before visitors.

Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church denied the change of Christmas date based on recommendation from the Committee of the diaspora in the Holy Synod. He explained that it needs an official decision of the Holy Synod in order to change the date of Christmas to be celebrated on December 25 instead of January 7th.

The Coptic Orthodox Church starts tomorrow the fast of the Apostles following Epiphany. The fast lasts for 30 days and is one of the 12 fasts of the Church.

Father John Nasif, priest of the Coptic Church of the Lady in Chicago, said that he offered a study about fixing the Coptic Calendar and fix the date of celebrating Christmas. He added that he sent the study to Pope Tawadros and members of the Holy Synod and expressed his readiness to appear before them to discuss the matter. In this context, Naseef said that Pope Tawadros is the only one able to fix the situation and this doesn t change the the faith, but will help uniting the date of celebrating Christmas.

A survey of 25,000 Internet users in 25 countries found that 86% of Internet users were victims of misleading news on the Internet, most of them on Facebook. The survey showed that users in Egypt were the easiest to be deceived, while participants in Pakistan were the most skeptical by the results. According to Sky News, respondents expressed their desire for governments to address false news and prevent their promotion on Facebook and the Internet, in addition to the impact of these news negatively on the economies of countries and political dialogue.

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced that it will celebrate next Sunday Pentecost, which is celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31). After celebrating the Pentecost feast, Coptic church has

The Monasteries and Monastic Commission announced that it will meet tomorrow in the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadil Natroun, to discuss the most prominent files with members of the Holy Synod and headed by Pope Tawadros II. According to church sources, the discussions are expected to be aimed at controlling the monastic life after the murder of Bishop Epiphanius, head of St. Makar monastery.

5 new priests participated in the 105 anniversary of St. Abraam in Fayoum which was headed by Bishops Lucas of Abnoub, Salib of Mit Ghamr and Abraam of Fayoum. The new priests are Fathers Makarious Badry, Faltaous Makin, Nofir Youssef, Nahamia Isaac, Youlious Fekry are going to spend 40 days of spiritual retreat at a monastery according to the Coptic ritual.

Bishop Daniel, Secretary General of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church said that the Holy Synod will not discuss the issue of the unification of the holidays at its next meeting This month. Pope Tawadros had talked about unifying the date of celebrating Christmas and Easter among the Eastern and Western Churches, which was expected to be discussed by the Holy Synod later.

The National Defense and Security Committee of the Egyptian House of Representatives approved a draft law submitted by the government that enables foreigners to obtain Egyptian citizenship for only ten thousand dollars. The draft law, according to Major General Kamal Amer, to grant citizenship in return for investment or paying money in order to develop the economy while achieving national security.

Rev. Mounir Hanna, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, said that the church had agreed with Al-Azhar Foundation to implement a project that aims to spread a culture of acceptance of the other. He added that the project aims to teach the history of ancient churches and mosques in Egypt.

The first Coptic Orthodox marriage was celebrated in Japan at the Church of St. Mark inaugurated by Pope Tawadros II two years ago. The celebration was headed by Father Moussa Ayyad and attended by families of the bride and groom.

Egypt s Tourism Minister Rania Al-Mashat said that Egypt has signed a contract with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sponsor the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is being hosted by Egypt from 21 June to 19 July. Al-Mashat highlighted the importance of such event in Egypt as a chance to promote tourism in Egypt.

A Coptic young man has disappeared from his father s home and a sheet of paper was found saying: your son is with us . Police were reported and the matter is currently under investigation.

Father John Nasif, priest of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Chicago, presented a research to the Holy Synod on the unification of the celebration of Christmas with the title: Adjusting the Coptic calendar and setting the date for the celebration of the feast. The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church is going to discuss the matter on the upcoming round this month.

St. Georges Coptic Orthodox Church in the north of Minya Governorate received its permit after it was burned on Easter eve. The original building was demolished and the temporary tent dedicated to prayers were totally destroyed in the fire.

The first phase of paving the road through the monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Minya started, which is estimated at 22 km. The paving of the road began after many appeals after this road witnessed two terrorist incidents resulting in the death of more than forty people and the injury of more than 20 others.

Bishop Makarios of Minya ordained 58 new deacons at St. Mary Church in Falahin village. He also visited a number of patients in the village.