The High Committee for the regulation of churches and service buildings, headed by Sherif Ismail, approved today to legalize 166 cases (102 churches and 64 service buildings in a number of governorates. It is noteworthy that the Coptic Orthodox Church has applied to legalize approximately 2,500 churches and service buildings, while the Evangelical community has applied for about 700 churches and service buildings, and the same number of Catholic Coptic Church.

Pope Francis and the Patriarch of Moscow called on the Security Council to work harder in order to bring peace to Syria. They issued a joint statement on Tuesday in this regard and called all leaders of the world to overcome their disputes and realize their great responsibility before their people.

The Vatican held a training course for priests in exorcism over phone at the Vatican headquarter. The training was attended by 200 Catholic priests. It was offered after the increasing demand to learn these courses.

Prosecution in Fashn, Beni Suef, decided to extend the imprisonment of 20 Copts and Muslims for 15 days in the sectarian attacks of Beni Manin village. 4 houses of the Copts were destroyed after they were broken into by the fanatics whom refuse to allow the Copts to pray in the church of the village.

Police in Qubba gardens arrested a man who tried to storm into the church of St. George. The man claimed to be crazy and he was naked while he repeated unclear words.

Abba Sarafem, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox church Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, denied he ordained any deaconesses in the church. This came after rumors spread about the ordination of several deaconesses in the church that refuse to ordain women as priests or deaconesses. The bishop explained that the published photos were taken in a celebration of the choir and that he respects the church laws and traditions and is committed to follow them.

ISIS terrorist organization claimed its responsibility of an attack on a church in Quetta, western Pakistan. Two people were killed and 7 were injured in the attack. The same city suffered from another attack last December which led to the death of 9 worshippers.

Coptic monasteries opened their doors to visitors after its closure during the Great Lent and especially at the Holy Week. It s worth mentioning that Copts are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ for 50 days during which fasting is forbidden.

Spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church said that Pope Twadros II, will receive on Friday the Portuguese President Marcello de Souza at the papal headquarters in Abbasiyah. He explained that this visit comes in the framework of acquaintance between the Pope and the Portuguese President as part of his visit to Egypt.

Hotels of Hurghada in Egypt prepared to receive Russian tourism in a special way as they held training courses for the workers, and painted the facades of hotels, and prepared several art and music shows. The flags of Russia decorated the entrances of the hotels and flowers were presented for the tourists who arrived after months of stopping flights between Egypt and Russia.

The Church of St. George in Tanta held a celebration to commemorate the martyrs of Palm Sunday . 30 Copts were killed and dozens were injured at a terrorist attack on the church on Palm Sunday of the last year.

Dr. Awad Shafik, professor of international law in Geneva, said that 35,000 Egyptian teachers of Islamic law will be deported from the Saudi Arabia to Egypt after the abolition of the Wahhabism doctrine in the kingdom.

Military court sentences 36 terrorists to death penalty for attacking churches and exploding 3 churches in Abbasia, Tanta and Alexandria. The accused people were also found guilty in attacking police officers in al-Wadil Jadid province.

Bishop of Kampala in Uganda survived an attempt to kill him during the holy mass of Easter. The assassin carried a white weapon and tried to stab the bishop in the heart but he failed and couldn t reach the bishop.

Reuters said that Inflation in Egypt eased to its lowest level since May 2016, spurring speculation that the central bank may extend its cycle of interest-rate cuts in the coming months. The annual rate in March in urban parts of Egypt dropped to 13.3 percent from 14.4 percent in February, according to data from the state-run statistics agency. The figure is squarely within the target range of 13 percent, plus or minus 3 percentage points, that the central bank set after the November 2016 decision to lift currency controls. Core inflation eased to 11.59 percent, according to the central bank, the lowest it s been in two years.

Amid tight security measures, Copts of South Sinai celebrated Maundy Thursday according to Rev. Ihab Samir, pastor of the Evangelical church in Sharm El-Sheikh. It is worth mentioning that Copts in Sinai have been targeted by terrorist groups and were forcibly displaced from their homes after a number of Copts were killed.

Fatwa issued by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Qassim al-Ghamidi, director of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Mecca, that the veil is dedicated for the wives of Prophet Muhammad, sparked great controversy. He added that verses of Koran, which are related to the veil, came basically to the wives of the Prophet. Al-Ghamidi explained that mixing is allowed between the sexes in Islam according to the Sharia and the nature of people.

A group of scientists interested in the study of the Holy Shroud prepared a three-dimensional statue, which shows the body of Jesus Christ in details. Professor Julio Fanti said that we now have the true picture of Christ who was very beautiful with strong body. He was about 5.5 feet tall and his body was full of wounds that may exceed 600.

Youssef Ahmed Ismail, 9 year old child, donated his savings of 3345 LE for the Long Live Egypt Fund. He explained that he does this in support of the comprehensive operation to fight terrorists in Sinai.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is preparing for Easter celebrations, which will take place next Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Marks in Abbasiya. Pope Tawadros II has inspected the restoration and renovation works at the Cathedral where more than 1000 officials are expected to attend the Holy Mass to congratulate the Copts on the feast.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said that the Coptic Church believes that the president of Egypt is a heavenly choice. Pope added that he wishes that all institutions are disciplined like the armed forces.