The Church of the Virgin and Pope Kyrillos in Izbat al-Nakhl, Cairo, mourned today its young priest Father Bishoy Ayyad, who died after being infected with COVID-19. It is wroth mentioning that a number of Coptic priests announced they tested positive for COVID-19 after the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church decided to shut down churches.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, sent a message of condolence to Dr. Andre Zaki, Head of the Evangelical Community in Egypt for the departure of his mother in law. The funeral was held on Saturday at the Evangelical Church of Heliopolis, in the presence of limited participants of the family due to the preventive measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Father Daoud Lamai, priest of St. Mark Church in Heliopolis, denounced that attack on Pope Tawadros II by people claiming he has decided to change the way of taking communion and abolish the Mastier (the spoon used in the Coptic rituals of taking communion). He added that Pope Tawadros only said he will discuss the matter with the Holy Synod and that all changes are accepted as long as they are not related to the original faith. He also denounced such attitude to judge the Holy Synod and the church.

The St. Mark Church in Kuwait concluded the online conference entitled ‘I Rely on You’, which was dedicated for the Coptic family. The conference was held under auspices of Archbishop Antonius of Jerusalem and with the participation of Father Daoud Lamai, priest of St. Mark Church in Heliopolis.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, donated one million pounds to provide ventilators for hospitals to face the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson of the Coptic Church announced that Pope has also contributed 1000 pieces of protective clothing for medical personnel to confront the Coronavirus.

Father Polous Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that the Permanent Committee of the Holy Synod will hold its next meeting on June 27 to discuss the date and measures for the reopening of the churches. He added that special measures will be taken to ensure safety of the worshippers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is noteworthy that Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Egypt s Prime Minister, decided to reopen houses of worship next July in the governorates that are less infected with the emerging Coronavirus.

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Church, said that a Church building under construction has been converted into a quarantine for people infected with the emerging Coronavirus. He added that the building is licensed as nursing home, but the church decided to offer it as a quarantine during the current crisis.

Bishop Abakir of Scandinavia announced in a statement that Coptic priests will visit families at home to give them communion on 4 conditions: to take communion at the doors, priests should be reported about infected people, people should fast the Apostles fasting and be ready through repentance and confession, and to tell the priest about the appropriate time of the visit according to time of the holy liturgies. The statement invited the people to join the prayers of the church the God may lift the pandemic and save the world and to reopen churches soon.

The Media Center of the Coptic Orthodox Church announced that the diocese of Fayoum celebrated today the 106th anniversary of the departure of St. Abraam, in his monastery in Azab. The Divine Liturgy was held in the presence of Bishop Abraam of Fayoum and Bishop Salib of Mit Ghamr who perfumed the remains of the Saint.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See said that changing the way of communion my happen due to the spread of coronavirus, and this doesn’t contradict with the Orthodox Christian faith. He explained that priest don’t use spoons to deliver the communion to the sick people. Pope explained that this matter will be discussed in future meetings of the Permanent Committee of the Holy Synod.

Father Youssef Jobran, priest of the Church of Archangel Michael and Saint Damiana in Quwesna commented about claims of many people that the number of people infected with Coronavirus has dropped down after Pope Tawadros blessed the Nile River with bless water during the celebration of the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt saying: there is no relation between blessing the water of the Nile River and the spread of Coronavirus. He added that during the pandemic, people resort to all kinds of myths and seek miracles, but in fact the church is always praying for the waters of the Nile and planets and the sick people.

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced the death of the first monk infected with COVID-19 Father Sawiris of St. Paul monastery. The monk was nominated for the position of Patriarch in 2012.

The Youth Bishopric at the churches of Helawan diocese started St. Mark festival online due to the spread of Coronavirus. The festival started in 2004 in Cairo and spread later all over the world and includes a number of competitions including: study, tunes and praises, cultural activities, the Coptic language, research, literary activities, arts, electronic and media, and engineering and scientific innovations.

Aswan diocese issued a statement in which it warned against people claiming they are delegated from the diocese and Bishop Hedra of Aswant to distribute water and oil for healing. Statement added that those people don’t represent the church faith or wisdom that prevents visiting houses in the time of the epidemic.

Following the precautionary measures due to the spread of Coronavirus, Bishop Isaac of Tima celebrated the Holy Mass and held his weekly online meeting with the people of the congregation. It is worth mentioning that congregation are not allowed to attend prayers in the churches inside Egypt and the Holy Synod has not determined when and how the people are going to be allowed.

Abba Makari, General Bishop of the Southern Shubra Churches, announced a new service dedicated to support patients of COVID-19. The Committe provides spiritual, psychological and medical support as well as material support for the needy.

The Coptic Orthodox Churches celebrated today the feast of St. Lazarus, whom Jesus Christ raised from the dead. St. Lazarus lived 40 years after being raised from the dead and was ordained bishop of Cyprus.

Archbishop Pachomious, former acting Patriarch, celebrated today the feast of the entrance of the Holy Family to Egypt at the monastery of St. Makarious of Alexandria in Behira. It is worth mentioning that Coptic Churches have been closed for two months due to the Corona virus and decided today to reopen to celebrate the feast with only 6 people.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, celebrated today the feast of the Holy Family’s entrance to Egypt in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi. It is worth mentioning that Egypt is the only country outside Jerusalem that was visited by the Holy Family. Egypt celebrates the feast of the Holy Family’s entrance on June 1st.

Bishop Ermia, head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, headed today the weekly online meeting of university youth and graduates of Mansoura diocese. This comes as Coptic Churches are closed and all services are suspended due to the spread of Corona virus.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, celebrated the Holy Mass of the glorious feast of Ascension at the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadil Natroun. The celebration was attended by a number of bishops, monks of the monastery, while no congregation were allowed to attend following the precautionary measures due to Coronavirus.