The Council of Christian Churches in the Netherlands held its periodic meeting in the Coptic Cultural Center Yesterday in Amsterdam for the first time.The meeting was entitled ‘Christ is the Light of the World". The meeting was attended by representatives of several churches in Amsterdam and several keynote speeches were delivered before His Eminence Bishop Arsany distributed gifts to the attendees.

Bishops Daniel of Maadi and Mikhail of Qubba sector, have ordained 7 new deacons in perpetration for their ordination as priests next Monday. It is worth mentioning that the Coptic church is starting the Great Lent fasting on Monday.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received at the Pontifical headquarters in Cairo, Mr. Fassil Ghebreslassie Tekle, Eritrea s ambassador to Cairo. The visit of the Eritrean Ambassador to His Holiness came for the sake of acquaintance.

The Diocese of the New Valley celebrated the second anniversary of the departure of its former Bishop Abba Boktor, which consided with the feast of Cleansing the Temple by Christ. The memorial service was held at Kharga Oasis in the presence of Bishop Martiros of Eastern Railway Station and Bihsop Arsanious of New Valley.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, received today priests of Behira diocese at the Logos Papal headquarters at St. Bishoy monastery in Wadil Natroun. The meeting was attended by Archbishop Bachomious of Behira and Bishop Isac, head of St. Macarious Monterey in Qalali mount.

The Egyptian archaeological mission affiliated to the Supreme Council of Archeology revealed 83 graves during archaeological excavations in the area of Umm al-Khaljan, Dakahlia Governorate. Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that 80 tombs dates back to the first half of the fourth millennium BC known as the civilization of Bhutto or Lower Egypt.

The Diocese of Maadi celebrated today the ordination of a new priest at the Church of Saint Mark in Maadi, which coincided with celebrating the 50th anniversary of its establishment. This came during the Divine Liturgy, which was served by His Eminence Bishop Daniel of the Diocese and Secretary of the Holy Synod. The new priest is father Nathan Samir who was assigned to minister in the church.

The Abu Fam university family organized its annual meeting at the Cathedral of St. Fam in Tima from February 6-8th. The Conference discussed the concept of change and was attended by more than a thousand members.

His Eminence Bishop Stephenos of Baba and Al-Fashn ordained 3 new priests at the church of St. Paul and St. Anthony in Ezbet Gaafarin Fashn. The new priests, Fathers Timothy Helal, Flimon Younana and Yassa Maiz, headed to the monastery to spend a 40 days of spiritual retreat according to the Coptic rituals.

The Executive Committee of the Council of Middle East Churches held its periodic meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus, last Monday and Tuesday, in the presence of His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of Justiniana and the rest of Cyprus for the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, and with the participation of representatives from all member churches. The meetings were chaired by John the Tenth, Patriarch of Antioch and the rest of the East for the Greek Orthodox, Chairman of the Council on the Family of the Orthodox Churches.

A group of Islamic organizations in the British city of Birmingham has announced a new initiative entitled: ‘Our mosques for the homeless’, which aims to house them inside the mosques and protect them from the cold winter. For his part, Al-Azhar Observatory for Countering Extremism valued the initiative, pointing out that it indicates a practical application of the teachings of the true Islamic religion, and highlights the true meaning of tolerance of Muslims in dealing with others of different religions, races, and colors.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, received today at the Pontifical headquarters in Alexandria a large delegation of senior officials and security and military leaders. The delegation offered their best wishes to the Pope and the Coptic congregation and for all Egyptians. For his part, Pope assured that the feast is marked with three signs, namely love, joy and peace.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II arrived at the headquarters of Balina diocese in the framework of his current pastoral tour in the Diocese of Sohag Governorate, where he was received by thousands of Coptic people. Pope concluded his visit to Girga diocese yesterday where he inaugurated the church of the Virgin and met with its congregation. It is worth mentioning that Pope’s pastoral care visit includes visiting 6 dioceses in Suhag governorate, namely: Sohag, Gerga, Balina, Akhmim, Tama, and Tahta.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II opened today the Cathedral of the great Saint Abu Fam after its restoration. Pope visited Tima diocese for the first time and was accompanied by 16 bishops in addition to Bishop Isaac of Tima.

Congregation of Akhmim received Pope Tawadros II during his first Pastoral Care Visit to the diocese. People rushed to the streets in order to be able to see the car of Pope Tawadros, while he was heading to the church of St. Paul and St. Peter.

In a touch of love and an expression of thanks and gratitude, Children of Minya presented flowers to all police officers securing churches on Christmas celebrations. This is not the first time that children present flowers to policemen since they appreciate their hard working and sacrifices.

The Media Center of the Coptic Orthodox Church published an explanation of the meanings of the icon of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, saying: The icon shows Joseph the carpenter and the Virgin Mary in the star-dressed heavenly dress. On the right of the manger, we see the donkey and the bull looking to Christ to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah who said: ‘The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” (Isaiah 1: 3) The icon shows also the prophets who prophesied for the incarnation and they are Moses the Prophet, David the Prophet wearing the royal crown, Isaiah the Prophet carrying his book, Ezekiel the Prophet and he Carries the sealed door, Daniel the Prophet carrying the ninth chapter of his book, which is the vision of Daniel.

Colonel General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense, visited Pope Tawadros II to congratulate him and the Coptic people on Christmas. Zaki assured that Egypt will remain strong and united against all conspiracies and threats and praised the national positions and statement of Pope Tawadros and wished him and the Egyptians a happy new year with security and stability.

Emad Magdy, Egyptian ambassador in Ghana, visited the headquarters of the Egyptian Church in Accra to congratulate the congregation and clergy on Christmas and New Year. He was received by Fatehr Wissa, priest of the church of St. Mark in Ghana, who thanked him for his visit and praised the cooperation between the embassy and the church in serving the Egyptians abroad.

The Diocese of the Netherlands organized its annual conference of the families during the Christmas holidays with the participation of 300 people of its congregation. His Eminence, Bishop Arsani of the Diocese, met during the four-day conference with the families and many priests delivered speeches about the relationship between man and God.

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Dr. Shawky Allam, Mufti of the Republic, visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to congratuate him on Christmas. This came during a visit of a large delegation of Islamic leaders and scholars to the papal headquarters in Cairo.