ISIS released 42 Christians after they paid huge ransom. The terrorist organization demanded 18 million dollars to release them, but the price went down after negotiations.

Coptic Orthodox Church started on Monday Jonah’s fasting for three days during which late holy masses are celebrated daily.

Pope Francis II, Pope of the Vatican, said that abortion is a crime and great sin, but the use of contraceptive methods can be used in exceptional cases.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, inaugurated the Church of St. Mary and St. Bishoy at El-Tagamu El Khames.

the organization of Justice and rights’ development denounced church ban of the book “message to the Pope” by the writer and cartoonist Adel Girgis.

Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, said that Christianity in the Middle East is more consistent than in the West. He added that Christians have good relations with their fellow Muslim Egyptians.

Public prosecution in Monoufia is investigating the killing of a Coptic conscript Michael G., 20 years old. Eyewitnesses said that Michael shot himself dead while being in service.

Dr. Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary General of the United Nations, died at the age of 94. His funeral is going to be held next Thursday at the Great Cathedral of St. Mark.

Father Antony Wadei, priest of Ezbet Gabal Church in Samalout, said that a Coptic girl called Mariam Wagih, 19 years old, left the house of her family one week before she marries her cousin.

Brigadier Abdel-Fattah El-Shahat, Chief of Detectives in Minya governorate, said that police could prevent the phenomena of kidnapping of Copts.

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church is going to hold meeting by the end of this month at the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadil Natroun to discuss the Personal Status Law and the second marriage issues.

Sarah Sewall, Under Secretary of the US Department of State, said that she met with several clergy during her current visit to Egypt, and talked with them about the participation of Copts in politics.

More than 2.400 students may have to search for new school in Sydney after the federal government decided last night to cancel government subsidies to their Islamic school in Sidney. It receives more than $ 20 million from taxpayers starting from next April.

St. Mary and St. Ruice Church in Manama held a conference for Copts in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The one day conference was held in Bahrain under the title: "Fathers, do not provoke your children"

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, delivered his speech today at the Church of Archangel Michael in October 6th city.

Dozens of Copts from the province of Minya demonstrated in front of the Great Cathedral of St. Mark to demand the return of a Coptic minor girl who disappeared last week in Hassan Basha village in Minya.

Maspero Youth Union denounced the actions taken by the state against the four Coptic children of the village of Nasiriyah in Minya governorate who were accused of contempt of Islam. It started to collect signatures in solidarity with the children.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, moved Fr. Bishoy Andrawes, priest of St. Mark's Church in Washington, to another church in the United States that will be announced later.

The movement of 9-9 announced to protest in the great cathedral of St. Mark in Abbasia, on 4 March. Wahid Shenouda, founder of the movement, said that they demand conducting the General Congregation Councils and preventing bishops and priests from traveling abroad for two years.

Archimandrite Azaria of Jerusalem, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and Palestine, said that the new bishop of Jerusalem will be ordained on February 27 and 28. He explained that the new Bishop will be Egyptian as usual.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the first anniversary of the slaughter of 21 Copts by ISIS in Libya on February 15.