Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zaid, ambassador of Egypt in Canada, opened the second Coptic Festival in Totonto in the presence of thousands of Egypitans in Canada, and Canadian Conservative Party leader Andrew Sher, prime minister of Ontario and a number of senior officials from the Canadian government. In his speech, Abu Zaid said that such festival reflects various components of the Egyptian culture, arts and civilization.

St. Antony s oasis in Minya witnessed yesterday the ceremony to distributing the cups of Keraza festival in the presence of governors of Minya and Assiut. The ceremony was attended by His Eminence Bishop Moussa of Youth and Bishop Agathon of Magaghah and Adwa, and Bishop Makarios of Minya and Abu Qurqas.

Bishop Youannis of Assiut promoted 3 priests to the rank of Hegumin. The promoted priests are Fathers Philip Kamel, Ephraim Youssef, and Toma Yacoub. This came at

HG bishop Hedra of Aswan ordained yesterday a new priest at the church of the irgin and St. Phlopatir in Kalah village. The ordination of Father Salib Samuel was attended by Bihsop Youacim of Esna and Armant.

The Egyptian cabinet headed by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly issued a decision to legalize 127 new churches and service buildings. This raises the total number of churches and service buildings so far to 1021.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, received today priests of teh church of the Virgin in Ezbet al-Nakhl at the Cathedral of St. Mark in Abbasiya. They discussed problems and challenges of the service and offered a report about the church for the Pope who promised to visit them.

Churches of Qubba Gardens, Waily and Manshiyet al-Sadr organized the first faith conference with the participation of Pope Tawadros II and a number of members of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Coptic scholars. The conference discusses the book The Incarnation of the Word of God by Pope Athanasius.

n officer and 6 soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack west of El Arish in a terrorist attack in Sinai. The Interior Ministry announced that four terrorists were killed in the attack, one of which exploded by an explosive belt. Explosive belts, automatic weapons and grenades were also found with the terrorists.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, enjoyed the Opera show entitled Egypt is the road, Which was organized by the Egyptian National Heritage Revival Society (NAHRA) about the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt. The celebration was held at the Manara Center in New Cairo.

Bishop Antony of Ireland, Scotland and the north-east of England, ordained a new general priest for the ministry in the diocese. Dr. Monir Elia was named Father Youhanna in the celebration attended by several clergy and nuns of St. George monastery.

Bishop Hidra of Aswan ordained a new priest at the church of St. George and St. Shenouda in Aswan. Dr. Mina Shorky was named Father Abdul Massieh in the ceremony that was blessed by Bishop Youssab of Luxor.

Abba Pachomius, Archbishop of Behira ordained 6 new priests for the ministry in the villages and cities of the diocese. The new priests are Fathers Pfnotius Suleiman, Benjamin Michel, Jonathan Rashad, Filothaos Fouad, Theofan Michael, and Armanisu Girgis. They moved to the monastery of St. Makarious of Alexandria to spend 40 days of spiritual retreat according the Coptic rituals.

Bishop Salaib of Mit Ghamr inaugurated the Church of St. Mina and Pope Cyril in Mit Ghamr. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the congregation and clergy of the chruch.

Bishop Eklimindus of Nasr City and Almaza, ordained 40 new deacons at the church of the Virgin and St. Mina in Nasr City. The deacons were ordained at the basic rank of Ebsaltus, which is translated chanter.

Sun on Wednesday illuminated the alter of Archangel Michael in Kafr al-Dir in Minya el-Kamh in a rare phenomenon that takes place twice a year on feasts of Archangel Michael and the feast of St. George. The phenomenon was witnessed by German television and the Egyptian Astronomy Institute and Ministry of Antiquities.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Sea, inaugurated two alters at the Church of St. Mary in Wogouh, Shubra in addition to another chapel in the church on the name of St. Moses. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bishops Makari of Southern Shubra, Morkos of Shubra al-Khaimah, Takla of Dishna, Martiros of Railway station, Bavlos of Greece, Bigoul of Moharaq monastery, Metaous of St. Mary Monastery, Theofilis of Manfalout, Ilarion of Red Sea, Poulos of Eastern Canada.

5 new priests were ordained in St. George Cathedral in Giza diocese by Bishop Thodosios of Middle Giza and Bishops Markos of Damietta, Ilarion of the Red Sea, and Paul of Eastern Canada. The new priests are fathers Elija Albert, Ilarion Michel, Youakim Moris, Zakaria Sobhy, an Jashoa Timour.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II inaugurated today the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sadat City with its alters, icons and baptism. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bishop Pachomious, former acting patriarch, Bishop Domadious of October 6th city, Bishop Ilarion of Eastern Alexandria, Bishop Demitrious of Mallawy, Bishop Mina of St. Geroge Monastery in Khatatba, Bsiho Sawiros of St. Moussa monastery in Alamin, Bishop Michale of Waily and Qubba Gardens, Bishop Ilairon of Red Sea Gorvernorate, Bishop Isaac,the General Bishop and Bishop Theofilos of Manfallout.

The Ministry of Antiquities said in an official statement that Egypt has the right to demand the repatriation of a stone sculpture of King Tutankhamun before it goes up for auction at Christie s in London on July 4th. Shaaban Abdul Jawad, Manager of retrieved Antiquities department, said they working on taking legal action against the auction in cooperation with INTERPOL International and the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandrian and Patriarch of St. Mark See, ordained 4 new bishops to rise up the total number of bishops in the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church to 128 members. The bishops will serve in Egypt and a number of countries, including South Africa and Canada, the church s spokesman Bolis Halim said in a statement.

The Fourth Conference of the Churches of Europe concluded with a lecture about Love in Service delivered by Pope Tawadros II. The conference was at Logos center of the Papal headquarter in Wadil Natroun with the participation of 13 bishops and 120 priests and ministers.