Dr. Mamdouh Ghorab, the governor of Sharqia, told Copts United that he is optimistic about the numbers of voters in the Governorate at the Senate elections, especially in the villages where many people are keen to cast their votes. He added that the state is taking extraordinary measures to organize and secure the voting process.

Dr. Rev. Andreya Zaki, head of the Evangelical community, cast his vote today in the Senate elections at Al-Jabarti School Polling Station in the Sheraton District. Zaki stressed that participating in the Senate elections is a political duty and a constitutional entitlement to consolidate democracy and the state of citizenshi

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, received today at the Papal Headquarters in Cairo HG Bishop Theodosius, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Giza and Bishop Yusab of Luxor. The meetings came to discuss issues of the ministry in the Coptic dioceses with its spiritual leaders.

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that monk Raphael Al-Muharraqi died today at the age of 65 and his funeral was held at the monastery of St. Mary Al-Muharraq. The monk was ordained on August 25, 1989, and served in several places including the New Valley. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II offered sincere condolences to Bishop Begoul, head of the Monastery of the Virgin Al-Muharraq and to the monks.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, held a meeting today with representatives of the four Coptic channels (Agape - CTV - MESat - Koogi), the Media Center of the Coptic Church and Keraza magazine, the official magazine of the Coptic Church. The meeting discussed problems and challenges of the Coptic media and how to improve their work for the service of the people.

Bishop Pavlos of Greece for the Coptic Orthodox Churches, announced in a statement regarding the reopening of churches that the Coptic Church in Greece in the region of Mounidhi will be opened while maintaining all preventive measures. He added that the congregation will have to book with the church and follow the precautionary measures during attending the mass including wearing the mask except for children under 6 years.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated today the commemoration of the martyrdom of St. Laundius. The saint was a Christian soldier who used to sermonize his colleagues and preach them, but the commander punished him for this and tortured him in the prison till he died.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, congratulated President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the anniversary of the July 23 revolution. Father Poulos Halim, spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said pope praised the revolution that embodied the aspirations of the Egyptian people towards Freedom, dignity and independence.

The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and St George in Kafr El-Dawwar mourned Dr. Adel Gerges, director of Al-Sadr Hospital in Kafr El-Dawar, who died yesterday because of his infection with the Corona virus. Pope Tawadros and Archbishop Pachomius offered their sincere condolences for the departure of the good doctor.

The Netherlands Coptic Diocese celebrated its seventh foundation anniversary and the 7th ordination of Bishop Arshany of the diocese. The celebration was held at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam in the presence of priests of the diocese.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held a meeting at the Pontifical headquarters in Cairo with the formed committee to arrange and coordinate the service of the churches of the Mokattam sector with His Eminence Bishop Abanoub, the general bishop of the sector and the priests. The committee consists of His Eminence Bishop Daniel of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod and His Eminence Bishop Julius, the General Bishop of the Churches of Old Cairo.

Bishop Ilarion of Eastern Alexandria Churches visited the Church of Bashayer Al-Khair in Alexandria that the Egyptian president opened last month. This visit comes on the day of the feast of St. Karas the Hermit, one of the saints of the church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced the death of the monk Father Angelos of St. Anthony after spending 65 years of monasticism. The late monk was known for having several talents including cast out demons and conducting miracles and thousands of people asked for his spiritual guidance. He also established several churches and the monastery of St. Poktor in Khatatba.

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church decided to reopen its churches on August 3rd. The churches will start by holding the Holy Masses under the precautionary measures. This decision applies for the churches of Cairo and Alexandria that were closed for almost 4 months due to the spread of Corona virus.

Father Abraam Emil, deputy of Alexandria diocese for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that most of the churches in Alexandria celebrated the feast of the Apostles without congregation after it was very hard to choose 25 people of each church. It is noteworthy that the permanent committee of the Holy Synod allowed the Orthodox Churches to hold the Mass of the Apostles - on an exceptional basis - and in the presence of only 25 people per Mass with the application of the precautionary measures required before and during the attendance of the Mass.

Abba Peter Fahim, Metropolitan of Minya Catholic Church, headed the celebration of the feast of the Apostles at the King’s Cathedral in Minya. The celebration was attended by a number of priests and deacons of the diocese.

As the Coptic Church is preparing to celebrate the feast of the Apostles, it announced that only 25 person can attend the celebration in each church to ensure social distancing and apply all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Churches used lottery to determine who can attend the exceptional Holy Mass of the feast after the people register through website or by telephone.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held an online meeting with Bishops and heads of Coptic monasteries of Europe. Pope delivered a speech entitled Rejoice in the Lord at all times and they discussed the situation in the diocese of Europe with the bishops.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, perfumed the remains of St. Moses and St. Isidore at the monastery of the virgin Mary in Wadil Natroun on the occasion of celebrating their feast. It is worth mentioning that St. Moses was a disciple of St. Isidore after his repentance and monasticism.

The Egyptian armed forces built an isolation hospital for the patients of COVID-19 with a capacity of 4000 beds in just 15 days. The hospital was built at the New Cairo fairgrounds and was provided with 50 ambulances and two airplanes.

The Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria has started a new service dedicated for COVID-19 patients. The service announced several phone numbers to provide advice, providing medication, and medical support when needed.