Hilmi Namnam, Minister of Culture, congratulated Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, and the Coptic people on Christmas.

Major General Khaled Abdel Aal, Cairo security chief, said that police are taking extra security measures to secure churches and the Copts at Christmas celebrations.

8 Copts died today in car crash on the Western agricultural road of Beni Suef. The 8 Copts are workers in St. Mary Monastery of the Syrian who took vacation to celebrate Christmas with their families in Beni Suef.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas. I congratulate you for the glorious birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Celebrating Christmas as celebrated by the whole world on December 25th is extended through the beginning of the calendar year and then celebrated by us according to the Eastern Coptic calendar on January 7th. Christmas is a renewal of our joy and happiness. In the story of Christmas, we see many events and figures but I would like to point out two events.

Ministry of Religious Endowments issued a statement to explain the reason of the visit of Dr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of Religious Endowments, to Pope Tawadros II.

Sheikh Islam Nawawi, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, congratulated the Copts on Christmas.

After Esam Talima, member of the Muslim Brotherhood group and Office Director of Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, congratulated the Copts on Christmas feasts, the Salafists denounced such act considering it against Islam.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, delegated Abba Raphael to attend the forty days memorial service of the late Abba Abraham, Bishop of Jerusalem.

Mkanoti Coptic family renewed its demands to restore its lands, which is seized by Muslim family Ameria village in Alexandria.

Anba Abraham Isaac, patriarch of Catholics in Egypt, headed a congregation today to visit Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, in order to congratulate him on Christmas.

Guard of St. Mina Church in Beni Mazar made up a story about a finding a bag full of Molotov Cocktails next to the church hoping he will get a promotion. Police found out he made up the story and arrested the man pending investigation.

Father Pernapa Fawzy, Priest of St. George Church in Nazlet Hanna village, said that the reconstruction work started at the church after receiving the building license. It’s worth mentioning that the church that serves 2000 Coptic Christians was refused to be given a license of reconstruction after demolishing the old building.

3 new monks were ordained today at the monastery of St. Paul in the Red Sea governorate. The celebration was headed by Abba Daniel, Bishop of the monastery. The monks are called Gebrael, Poktor and Angelos of St. Paul.

ISIS in northern Iraq, put explosives in old bridges and prominent churches in order to explode them in case of receiving any attacks.

Dr. Andrea Zaki, head of the Anglican Communion, said that the personal status law for non-Muslims did not arrive until now to the Ministry of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

Isaac Ibrahim, Coptic activist, denounced statement of Al-Azhar that accuses Coptic church of being responsible for a satellite channel called al-Hayat that attacks Islam in its programs.

Nabil Anwar, lawyer of the church of St. George in Nazlet Hanna village, said that church has already received the building license.

Security services in Qena arrested a gang specialized in kidnapping Copts in Qena. The gang planned to kidnap another Coptic merchant on Christmas eve for huge ransom. The gang was arrested with weapons in their possession. The matter is currently under investigation.

A bag full of Molotov cocktails was found today next to the church of St. Mina in Minya. Police were reported and the matter is currently under investigation.

European Union of Coptic Organization for Human Rights EUCOHR denounced the arrest of writer and researcher Islam Buhairi who was sent to jail after he was convicted according to contempt of religion law.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry says it has arrested three people who are running 23 Facebook pages, accusing them of using the website to incite against state institutions.