Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, left Switzerland on Wednesday at the end of his pastoral visit to Switzerland, which lasted three days, during which he inaugurated the Church of the Virgin Mary and Saint Verena Church in Zurich. Hisham Abu Seif, Egyptian Ambassador to Switzerland and His Grace Bishop Gabrielle Bishop of Austria, bid him Farwell at the air port.

The European Coptic choir Saint-Cyril celebrated the glorious Easter holiday with a grand concert on May 4th in conjunction with Beit Sahour of the Orthodox Roman Church, in the celebration hall in the city of Bethlehem. The two groups offered a number of melodies in Greek, Coptic, Arabic, English and French. The ceremony was under auspices of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and His Holiness Theophilus, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox, and was attended by a large number of clergy as well as 400 guests of different nationalities.

Bishop Makari of Southern Shubra, Cairo, received 100 priests and leaders from Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical communities in Cairo in coordination with the Council of Churches of Egypt. The meeting was attended by Bishoy Helmi, priest of St. Anthonys Church in Shubra and the co-secretary of the Council of Churches of Egypt for the Coptic Orthodox Church. The meeting aimed to get acquaintance and show mutual love among the ministers.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, attended a carnival in Zürich entitled Story of a church about the history of the Coptic church in Switzerland starting with the Theban legend till today. Several shows were perfumed by the children in several languages.

Pope Tawadros II answered a question from youth in Germany about sectarian attacks saying: we don t declare all what we do. Pope explained that he usually contacts with bishop of the diocese as well as police leaders in the area of the attacks before a specific statement to be declared.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, inaugurated the Church of the Virgin in Dusseldorf, Germany. The church was named the Virgin of Zeitoun to commemorate the apparition of St. Mary in Cairo in 1968.

After the meeting between the leaders of the Coptic Orthodox and Catholic Churches at the anniversary of the brotherly love day between the two churches, leaders of the churches planted an olive tree for Peace and Fraternal Love at the Jesuit monastery of Mariot, Alexandria. The tree was planted by the hands of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Vatican s Ambassador to Egypt Bruno Mozart, and Patriarch Abraham Isaac of the Catholic Copts.

The Media Center of the Coptic Orthodox Church announced the death of Father Markos Aziz yesterday evening in America at the age of 74. The statement said that the late Father was priest of the Church of the Hanging Church in Cairo and was delegated to minister in the United States of America 10 years ago.

Pope Tawadros II participates in the day of brotherly love between the Coptic and Catholic Churches on Tuesday. The meeting, which will be held in the Church of the House of the Jesuit Fathers, includes speeches by His Holiness Pope Twadros II, the Vatican s Ambassador to Egypt Bruno Mozart, Patriarch Abraham Isaac of the Catholic Copts and some discussion sessions.

Archbishop Makarious, former Acting Patriarch, ordained two new deacons in the diocese of Behira at St. Mark Chruch in Karmet Damandhour. The new deacons are Poulos Ghali and Potros Arandas. Two other priests were promoted to the rank of Hegumin, namely: Father Amonious Adel and Father Angelos Isaac.

HG Bishop Salib of Mit Ghamr laid the foundation stone of the Church of St. George in Diarb Negm that was built in 1953 and is currently being restored. The church has received recently a decision of restoration by the authorities.

The sun stands on the altar of the great martyr St. George in his feast in Dir Al Malak, Minya al-Qamh, Sharqia. The Holy Mass of his feast was attended by a number of clergy and public figures and was covered by local media.

His Grace Bishop Mark of Paris and northern France celebrated the feast of resurrection of Jesus Christ at the Cathedral of St. Mary and Archangel Raphael in Darvi. The Holy Mass was attended by a number of Egyptian and French officials who came to congratulate the Copts on the feast.

HG Bishop Karras, Coptic Bishop of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, celebrated on Saturday evening, the glorious resurrection at the Church of Our Lady in Pennsylvania. The Sunday school children participated in the celebration and received souvenirs from the bishop.

Egyptian police announced they are taking extra security measures to secure citizens, public and private properties during the current feasts n Egypt. Christians in Egypt are celebrating the Holy Week and Easter, and Egypt celebrates the national day of liberation of Sinai on April 25.

Egypt s Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Medbouli congratulated the Coptic Christians on Easter and congratulated the Egyptian workers on their day. Madbouli praised the Egyptians for their active participation in the referendum on the constitutional amendments and for police and army for securing the election process.

HG Bishop Salib of Mit Ghamr, laid the foundation stone of the Church of St. George in Diarb Negm. The church has received recently a permission of restoration.

Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, said commenting on the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that terrorists want to ignite a religious war among humans. He offered his sincere condolences to the world and to all those who work for tolerance, coexistence and mutual understanding and Human affinity.

The Coptic Orthodox Coptic Church issued a statement to condemn the bombings that took place on the island of Sri Lanka yesterday, which killed and injuring hundreds of innocent people. The Church strongly condemns all forms of violence against any person of any belief, sex or nationality, and said it prays for the families of the martyrs who shed their precious blood so that the Lord may grant them condolences and patience, as well as for the speedy recovery of the wounded. The statement added we pray for a world free of hatred and violence.

Answering a question from a young man about the future of Minya diocese, Pope Tawadros said he has not decided yet what to do in Minya. Pope said he is studying the case after the departure of Minya Archbishop, but he has not made up his mind yet. Pope explained he is holding meetings with the clergy and the people of the diocese to see what they are thinking.

Bishop Boutros Fahim, Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Church of Minya, inaugurated a new Catholic church in Minya yesterday at the church of St. Mary in Barba after its renovation. The new church was inaugurated in the presence of a group of clergy and the congregation.