His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received this morning a high-level delegation from Al-Azhar headed by Grand Shiekh of Al-Azhar to congratulate him and the Coptic people on Christmas. Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar said that such congratulation is mandatory in Islam since they come to offer love and practice tolerance of Islam.

Pope Tawadros II perfumed the remains of St. Yehnes Kamma in the Syrian monastery of Wadil Natroun with the participation of Bishop Mataws of the monastery and the monks. St. Yehnes lived in the 9th century in Wadil Natroun.

Sheikh Yassir Borhamy, Vice President of the Salafist Call, prohibited celebrating Christmas and described sharing feasts of the infidels is the worse sin to commit. He also said that imitating infidels in their celebrations is sharing their infidelity.

Spokesman of the Coptic Church Orthodox announced the death of Father Markos Abdul Massieh, the priest of the Church of St. George in Qena at the age of 92 after spending 57 years in priesthood ministry. He was born on February 7, 1927, and was ordained a priest on April 22, 1962 by the late Bishop Cyril of Qena.

Egypt’s Prime Minister headed a meeting today of the Supreme Committee to regulate churches in which he agreed to regulate 80 churches. This raises the total number of regulated churches and service buildings to 627.

Bishop Besenty of Helwan and Maasara laid the foundation stone of Hilawan Martyrs church at the first anniversary of their martyrdom. The new Church is located at Helwan Gardens neighborhood and the celebration was attended by Bishop Zocima.

Tima diocese organized a carnival attended by nearly 1000 Coptic children at St. Yassa monastery eastern of Tima. The carnival was entitled "I am Coptic means I am Egyptian", and was attended by His Grace Bishop Isaac of Tima.

Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the main Church of St. Poktor Monastery in Khatatba in the Monufia Governorate in Lower Egypt, 43 kilometers north of Cairo. Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church said that three alters were inaugurated in the presence of bishops and clergy.

1500 children celebrated Koiak praises in 10th of Ramadan City. During the celebration, they were taught about symbols of St. Mary in the Old Testament.

The Libyan authorities announced the extraction of 34 bodies of Christian Ethiopians who were slain by ISIS in Libya. The terrorist organization had published a video referring to their massacre on April 19, 2015.

Egyptian Police and Army announced they are taking extra security measures to secure Christmas celebrations all over Egypt. Special forces and military police were placed in all vital places in order to deal with all potential threats and situations.

Abba Pernaba, Bishop of Turin and Rome, celebrated the holy mass at eth church of St. Mary in Turin where he ordained 4 new deacons and inaugurated the new baptisms of the church. After the holy mass, he received a delegation form the Catholic church to congratulate him on Christmas.

Minya diocese issued a statement to warn against a deceitful man who contacts people claiming he is delegated by the diocese and asks them to donate for him. The dioceses published the phone number that he uses to contact the people and warned them against dealing with him.

Abba Hedra, Archbishop of Aswan, headed the celebration of the diocese of the feasts of St. Hedra in his monastery in western Aswan. The celebration was also attended by Abba Demetrious, Bishop of Mallay, and a number of the clergy.

Bishop Bemen of Naqada and Qus inaugurated today the altars and icons of the ancient church of the Archangel Michael monastery. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the monks of the monastery and the priests of the diocese.

In a recent television interview, Pope Tawadros II, said that Marriage in the Coptic orthodox Church is a special relationship among God, a man and a woman and this special relationship can not be terminated except by death or committing adultery. He added that marriage can be annulled if there is deceit by one of the parties such as hiding one s sickness.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, inaugurated the church of the Virgin and St. George in Shorouk. 3 alters and baptism were inaugurated at the church as well as a number of Coptic icons. The bishops attended the inauguration ceremony are Bishops Bsada of Akhmim, Daniel of Maadi, Mina of St. George monastery, Ermia the General Bishop, Samuel of Tamwa, Maqar of Sharkia, Eklimindos of Hagana and Almaza, and Mikhail of Hadayek al-Kobba.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, visited Bishop of Assiut, Abba Youannis who had an accident last week while he was heading to attend the Koiak midnight praises. The bishop had a car accident and his leg was broken.

His Holiness Pope Twadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, received today Dr. Thoria Bashalani, Secretary-General of the Council of Churches of the Middle East. The meeting carried out at the papal headquarters of St. Mark Great Cathedral in Abbasiyah.

His Holiness Bishop Sarafim of Ismailia ordained two new priests at the church of St. George in Fayed. The ordination was also blessed and attended by Bishop Daniel, Head of the Monastery of St. Paula in the Red Sea, Bishop Joseph of Bolivia and Bishop Bimwa of the Suez. The new priests are Fathers Youstos Fekry and Mathias Alfons.

His Holiness Pope Twadros II ordained 13 new priests to serve in a number of churches in Cairo, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Canada and Hong Kong. This came during the Divine Liturgy, which His Holiness served in the monastery of Anba Bishoy in Wadi El Natroun.