Pope Twadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, congratulated the Coptic people on the holy feast of the Cross. Coptic churches and monasteries in Egypt has celebrated the holy feast of the Cross called in other churches “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross”. The Cross of Jesus Christ was discovered in 326 by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, during a pilgrimage she made to Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was then built at the site of the discovery, by order of Helena and Constantine. The church was dedicated nine years later, with a portion of the cross placed inside it. The date of the feast marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335.

Pope Twadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said that gay marriage is abnormal philosophy and extinguishes the spirit of God. This came during his his weekly sermon that was delivered on Wednesday at the Church of the Transfiguration at the Monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadi al-Natroun.

During the celebration of the 4th anniversary of Council of Churches of Egypt, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said that the council has become a special Coptic Christian voice in Egypt. Pope added that Christians should rejoice in Christ at all times and that we complete one another by our differences.

Dr. Ahmed Karam, Professor of Sharia at Al-Azhar, said that having sexual intercourse with the dead wife or beast is not clearly legitimate, but it came as a precautionary action to prevent adultery. He added that Islamic scholars shouldnt discuss such sensitive topics in the public.

Coptic Orthodox Church Participated today in the Prayer for Peace held in Canada at St. Michael Church in Toronto. The prayers were dedicated for the suffering people all over the world on the occasion of the Coptic new year of the martyrs.

Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews delivered a speech at the reception of Pope Twadros II in the state, where he expressed his happiness with the visit assuring that Coptic community is a great example of growth. He also congratulated the Copts on the feast of Nayrouz and invited the Pope to repeat his visit to the state each year.

Abba Pfnotius, Bishop of Samalout, inaugurated the Cathedral of the Savior of the World in Samalut. Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church said the church is built on 1500 square meters and the Holy Mass was celebrated in it on the first year of the Coptic Calendar.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, departed Sydney to visit the Australian capital Canberra. Father Pauls Halim, a spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said the Pope was received in Canberra by the Egyptian ambassador to Australia Ismail Khairat, along with a large group of the church congregation.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, sent a congratulatory message to the Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to congratulate him and all Muslims on Eid al-Adha. Pope wished him success in leading Egypt and wished Egypt all peace and progress.

Two suspects were arrested in Minya on charges of killing the Coptic policeman Hlim Hanna. They said they committed the crime as they have disagreements with him.

Abba Pfnotious, bishop of Samalut, organized a conference for children for three days that was attended by 120 children from various villages. The conference included the holy masses, entertainment and sports activities.

Abba Lucas, Bishop of Abnoub and Fath, ordained 100 deacons at the rank of Ebsaltus (chanter) at the church of St. John the Baptist. The bishop has also distributed the cups and prizes of St. Mark grand festival for the year 2016.

During his visit to Japan to inaugurate the first Coptic Church there, Pope Tawadros II said that it is a heavenly blessing to have a Coptic church in Japan. Pope has traveled in a pastoral care visit to Japan and Australia, which is his very first visit to them since his enthronement in November 2012.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi received Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, to discuss efforts of Al-Azhar to renew the religious discourse and its purge of false ideas. Spokesman of the Egyptian presidency said that Sheikh of Al-Azhar presented the various activities of Al-Azhar in scientific, religious and cultural fields stressing the keenness of Al-Azhar to contribute to enriching the public debate on various social issues. He also stressed the importance of Al-Azhar Values of citizenship, freedom, social and cultural diversity.

Hundreds of thousands of Copts and Muslims have attended the celebration of St. Mary in Assiut. The celebrations were headed by Abba Youannis, bishop of Assiut, and were attended by several officials in the governorate.

Yassir Desouky, governor of Assiut, congratulated Bishop Yoannis, Bishop of Assiut, and the Coptic congregation on the feast of St. Mary and the end of the celebration of St. Mary monastery at Jabal al-Tir. Senior official of the governorate attended the celebrations and congratulated the Copts on the feast.

Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria held the funeral of Father Anstasi Shafik, priest of St. Mary and Archangel Ghobrial. The funeral was headed by Abba Bavly, General Bishop of Montazah, and many of its priests.

Abba Pfnotious, Bishop of Samalut inaugurated a new church at the service building of St. Mark Church in Samalut. The churchs media office said that Bishop Pfnotious inaugurated the church on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Funeral of monk Nofier of St. Bishoy monastery was held today at the monastery with the participation of bishop Sarabamon and bishop Icezaros, head of Baramous monastery. The monk was 72 years old when he died after spending more than 42 years as monk.

Land of a Coptic family in Auda Pasha village in Minya was seized by a Muslim man whose name is Seddik Mohamed. The land was seized one year ago and police were reported but no action was taken to return their land.

Copts in Assiut continue to celebrate the fasting of St. Mary at Doronka mount in Assiut. The Coptic Orthodox Church Information Office said in a statement that the celebrations are held with the participation of Abba Youannis, Bishop of Assiut and its affiliations.