Archbishop Pachomius of Behirah and former Acting Patriarch, decided to extend the closure of churches in the diocese till mid-July to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
He decided to celebrate the feast of the Apostles with only one priest and four deacons and 25 of the congregation. This came after the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church gave bishops the authority to decide when and how to reopen their churches in order to insure safety of the people.
