The World Organization of Al Azhar Alumni received today a delegation of the Franciscan Roman Catholic monks in Egypt. The delegation included Father Milad Shehata, the director of the Franciscan Cultural Center, Father Milad Jodeh Beshara, Father Kamal William, and Louai Mahmoud, the director of the Coptic Studies Center at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The delegation was received by Dr. Mohammed Abdul Fadil Al-Qousi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Organization and a number of senior officials of the organization.

Bishop Bemin of Qus and Naqada promoted the Clerical researcher George Arsanius to the rank of a deacon and announced he will be ordained a general priest next Saturday. George Arsanius was born in Luxor in 1973 and studied at the Theological Seminary before he was chosen to teach in the Semenary of Baliana and Luxor.

Bishop Makar of Sharkia and Bishop Salib of Mit Ghamr celebrated the feast of St. Phelopatir at St. George Church in Mit Ghamr. They perfumed the remains of the Saint among hundreds of the congregation who were blessed by the saint.

The monastery of St. George in Rzesigat, Luxor, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the ordination of 5 monks. The celebrated monks are Fathers: Maximus, Ermia, Domadious, Abanoub and Thomas.

Abba Markos, Bishop of Shubra El-Kheima and the Papal Vicar of St. George s Monastery in Rizeigat, presided over the celebrations of the feast of St. George. The celebration started with the Holy Mass, which was attended by Coptic clergy, monks of the monastery and many visitors.

Abba Youssab, Bishop of Luxor, ordained 12 new deacons at the basic rank of Ebsaluts. The ordination was performed during the celebration of the feast of St. Ruise in his monastery in Luxor.

The Monastery of St. George the Rizeigat announced that its annual celebration will start on November 11. The Pontifical Commission, which oversees the annual celebration of the monastery, agreed to allow the visitors to stay inside the monetary during the celebration that lasts for one month.

Police in Luxor is taking extra security measures to prepare for the celebrations of St. George monastery in Rizigat, Luxor. Thousands of Copts and Muslims visit the monastery at the celebration to be blessed by the martyr St. George.

Under the patronage of His Grace Bishop Beyman of Qus, the church of St. George and the Thibian Legion celebrated the martyrdom feast of the Saints Victor and Arsus. Several people attended the celebration from nearby dioceses to be blessed by the holy relics and enjoyed melodies and the special rituals.

His Holiness Abba Hedra, Archbishop of Aswan and head of St. Pachomius Monastery in Edvo, left hospital in Los Angeles, USA, after he underwent a surgery to change the right knee joint. He stayed at the hospital for one day to check on the success of the operation and will begin the physical therapy in couple of days.

Abba Mettaws, head of St. Mary monastery the Syrian, celebrated the holy mass at St. George Church in Rome with Father Pachomius of the Syrian monastery and Father Theofilus deputy of the diocese, and Father Dionsus of St. Mina Monastery and Father John of St. Anthony monastery. 470 Kilometers away from Rome, Abba Pernaba, Bishop of Rome, celebrated the Holy Mass at the Coptic church in Ridgo Emilia city and held meeting with its congregation.

Bishops Barnabas of Roma and Binyamen of Menofia concluded the priests conference which lasted for 6 days. During the conference they discussed problems of the priests and held open discussion with their families.

Bishop Bemen of Naqada and Qus announced the start of new semester at the Bible study Institute in Qus The institute was opened last year at St. Stephen Cathedral in Qus and has received 65 scholars.

Abba Yousab, bishop of Luxor, honored hundreds of graduates and outstanding students of the bishopric. The celebration was held at the Saints monastery in Luxor and included several choirs and theater performance.

Abba Shrobeim, Bishop of Qena, celebrated the holy mass at the church of St. Mary in Qena to celebrate the feat of the martyrdom of Saint Rebecca. During the feast, he perfumed the remains of Saint Rebecca and the three peasants.

Abba Giovany, Bishop of Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Poland, has celebrated the holy mass at the church of St. Demiana in Naqada. Abba Bemen, Bishop of Naqada, received the Bishop of Hungary and accompanied him during visiting a number of churches of the diocese.

The Coptic Church of Turin and Rome celebrated the glorious feast of Nayrouz starting with the oly mass headed by His Grace Bishop Barnabas and the clergy of Rome. During the celebration, three deacons were ordained at the rank of Ebsaltus and the choir presented a number of Coptic hymns and spiritual songs.

The Qena Archbishop celebrated today the return of Bishop Sharubim of Qena who was receiving medical treatment abroad. The celebration was attended by clergy and congregation of the diocese.

The Church of St. George and the Theban Legion in Gragos, Qus, celebrated the feast of St. Verena. The celebration was attended by hundreds of the people of the church who witnessed the perfume of remains of St. Verena and took her blessings.

The Priests of Dishna Diocese denied rumors about the removal of Pope Shenouda s images from the churches of the diocese. They added that Abba Takla, Bishop of Dishna presented pictures of the late Pope to be put at churches administrative building, and always takes pride in being ordained by the late Pope Shenouda and even ordained a priest named Shenouda.

Abba Hedra, Metropolitan of Aswan, traveled to the United States on a therapeutic trip to change the left knee joint. He was received in America by a number of his beloved sons who wish him speedy recovery.