Abba Morkos, Archbishop of Shubra El-Kheima, mourned father, Benjamin Fouad, the priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Mary Magdalene in Shubra El-Kheima, who died after priestly service that lasted for 24 years.” The funeral of the priest was held in the presence of his family following the procedures taken due to Corona virus.

The Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, announced its support and contribution to all measures taken by the state to confront the spread of the Corona Virus. The church also launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of the virus and how to prevent its spreading. It donated 3 million LE to buy respirators and closed all churches and monasteries and candled all celebrations. Moreover, it ordered all sewing workshops in parishes to work in producing medical clothing and accessories.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated today the man born blind Sunday, which is known as the Baptism Sunday. This is the sixth sunday of the great lent, and the story of the man born blind is mentioned in the Holy Bible, specifically in Matthew 21: 28 – 32.

A source in the Coptic Orthodox Church said that His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, will preside over the prayers of the Holy Week and the glorious Easter Resurrection Mass at the Monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadi El Natroun. It is worth mentioning that the prayers will be broadcast on Coptic satellite channels after the Church has announced the continuation of Churches closure during the Holy Week due to the outbreak of the Corona virus.

In a press conference, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced a new archaeological discovery near Giza Pyramids during the sanitization process last week. But, no further information were revealed during the press conference. The country has shut down its museums and archaeological sites till April 15th in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus

The Coptic Church in Tanta mourned the departure of Father Kyrillos Barsoum who died at the age of 66, after spending 29 years in priesthood. Pope Tawadros have offered his sincere condolences to Bishop Paula of Tanta and the congregation of the diocese.

Under the spread of Coronavirus in England, a British couple celebrated their wedding on Face book. The ceremony was held at the Church of St. Matthew in central England and was attended by more than 300 electronic guests.

Coptic congregation‬ Council issued a statement in which it praised Pope’s decision to close churches due to Coronavirus assuring it comes to protect the people. Statement also praised decisions and procedures taken by the Egyptian government to prevent the spread of the virus.

Father Tadros Yaqoub Malty, priest of St. George Church in Alexandria, said that we believe that all things work for our good and we can find good in all events and even disasters. He added that all people feel now they belong to one family of humanity and this develops a sense of unity.

The outbreak of the new Coronavirus had negative impact on human health and economy, but it had a positive impact on the environment. This impact was announced by NASA that monitored a significant decline in the level of nitrogen dioxide concentration in China and Italy. The Chinese city of Wuhan recorded decrease in pollution levels as well as Northern Italy where curfew was imposed for weeks.

The World Health Organization has revealed, in a report, that the new Corona virus can infect or kill young men who must avoid infection by all means. Report said that older people are at greater risk of the virus, but young people are not safe from the deadly epidemic, and that people under the age of 50 constitute a good proportion of the cases that require hospitalization.

Coptic monasteries nationwide were shut down under preventive measures implemented by the state to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic. This came after the Coptic Orthodox Church suspended all services over coronavirus works and shut down churches and monasteries to prevent the spread of the virus.

Bishop Bemwa of Suez ordained two new deacons at the church of Archangel Michael in Suez. The congregation of the church celebrated the new deacons Georgious and Bishoy.

The Monastery of St. Anthony in the Red Sea received today 6 new priests who were ordained by Bishop Zocima at the diocese of Atfih and arrived to spend 40 days of spiritual retreat according to the Coptic rituals. The new priests are Fathers Yacoub FAraj, Kirilous Shehata, Samuel Reda, Ruice Raafat, Estifanous Fawzy and Michael Said.

The Independent, the largest UK newspaper announced that China is set to declare victory over outbreak, as Xi Jinping visits Wuhan epicentre for first time. The Chinese president Xi Jinping visited the centre of the coronavirus epidemic for the first time on Tuesday, in a possible sign that Beijing considers the worst of the outbreak to be over.

The shrine of Pope Kyrillos VI at the monastery of St. Mina in Mariout was perfumed in the presence of several bishops and monks of the monastery. The feast of Bishop Kyrillos VI is celebrated each year on March 9.

Tedros Adhanum Gebrysos, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the risk of Corona virus has become an epidemic with the infection of more than 110,000 people worldwide. He added in a press conference in Geneva that it has almost become a real epidemic, but fotunately it will be the first in history to be contained after 70 % have recovered from it and were discharged from hospitals.

In the context of the ongoing controversy over the rituals of communion in the church, Father Poulos Halim, Spokesman of the church assured that the Coptic church will not change the rituals of communion and it is considered one of the 7 holy secret of the church. The Church offers communion to its congregation through one spoon that some fear it may transfer new corona virus.

Father Abram Emile, priest of the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, said that a major celebration is being prepared this year on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the building of the Cathedral. Emile added that the celebration will continue for several days and will be headed by Pope Tawadros II. He explained that the church dates back to the first century, but it was demolished and rebuilt several times across history, and it was built the last time 150 years ago.

The Diocese of Melbourne and its dependencies in Australia congratulated Father Jonathan Alexander, who was ordained a priest yesterday by Pope Tawadros II among 24 other priests of Cairo, Mahalla and Africa. The new priest will minister at the church of St. Bishoy and St. Shenouda in Victoria city.

Bishop Tadros of Port Said and the Pontifical Vicar of the Diocese of Sydney and its dependencies congratulated the people of the diocese in the Australian states, New South Wales, Queensland and Darwin on the start of the Great Lent, which he described as a season for repentance, charity work and earning virtues. It is wroth mentioning that Abba Tadros, decided to form an education committee consisting of Father Rafael Iskandar, priest of St. George Church in Kensington, Father Michael Michael, Priest of the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Mina in Beklesi, and Father Antonios Kaldas, Priest of the Church of Archangel Michael and St. Bishoy in Mont Droit. The Committee was assigned to supervise and review the curricula of Sunday schools, and the seminary, and ensure their commitment to the Coptic Orthodox faith.