Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Christians in the Middle East are still in difficult circumstances and in dire need of support and assistance. He added in a meeting with representatives of the French Community that Russia is a multi-religious country and treats all religions with respect and this is reflected in its presence in Syria since we treat Muslims very well.

HG Bishop Makarious of Minya ordained yesterday 62 deacons at Minya during the celebration of Cross feast at St. Mina Church in Nazelt Ebid. The celebration was attended by a a number of the clergy and congregation of the church.

The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Fayoum honored 3 thousand mothers on Mother’s Day in the presence of His Grace Bishop Abram of Fayoum, and a number of priests, clergymen, deacons and the Coptic congregation. The ceremony was attended by three thousand mothers who received souvenirs after the celebration.

Coptic Cultural institute organizes the 3rd International Conference entitled "The Coptic Heritage between Authenticity and Modernity, Art, Archeology, Architecture and Human Sciences”, from March 22 to March 24 at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center in Abassia. The conference is held with the participation of professors of the institute and its students.

Bishop Zusima of Atfih ordained a new priest for the ministry of the diocese. Deacon Mina Faraj was ordained a priest and his new name was called Father John.

Bishop Yoannis of Assiut ordained a new priest today for the church of St. Qulta and the new priest carried the name of Father Qulta. The new priest is going to spend a 40 days of spiritual retreat at the monastery of Jabal al-Tir in Assiut.

Bishop Besenti of Helwan and Maasara ordained on Sundaya new priest for the church of Abu Seifin in Helwan. The new priest father Abanoub Milad will spend a 40 days of spiritual retreat according to the Coptic rituals.

St. Mary Church in Samalout, Minya, organized a training session for 1000 servants on the skills of ecclesiastical education. The course included the biblical characteristics of Effective Education and the personality of the servants.

A number of Coptic businessmen, writers and media professionals issued a statement of solidarity and support with the Coptic Orthodox Church and Pope Tawadros II. They said the statement comes to declare their support and unity with the mother church against all attempts to divide the church and deceive the Coptic people.

Bishop Demetrius of Mallawy, Ansna and Ashmounin ordained 8 new priests for the ministry in the diocese. The new priests are Fathers Bernaba Samir, Sarabamoun Aziz, Ilarioun Asham, Samuel Magdy, Daneil FAdl, Markos Reda, Anthony Shenhata and Matta Magdy.

The Association of Graduates of the Seminary issued a statement to declare support of Bishop Aghathon of Maghagha and Adwa against the fierce attacks against him. This came after Bishop Aghathon has declared in a statement his rejection of recent ruling to death penalty against two monks accused of murdering head of St. Makar monastery.

After a Muslim man and his wife who converted into Islam decided to return to their village and dwell in the house next to her family, father of the girl sent a message to President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi calling him to intervene and prevent potential sectarian clashes. 7 Coptic families in the village have left their homes fearing potential attacks of the extremists, after her conversion was celebrated and praised by the extremists who enjoy taking pride in such conversion and insulted her family and their faith.

Coptic people started today fasting the Great Lent. Coptic churches will be celebrating daily late masses at the Great Lent from 1 to 3 p.m. The Great Lent is celebrated in Coptic churches for 55 days by fasting and special rituals.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, laid the foundation stone of a new Church in Port Said that was called St. Anthony and St. Paul. The visit of Pope Tawadros is the first after his enthronement as Pope of the Coptic Church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated its very first Holy Mass held in Burundi at the church of St. Mark and St. Moussa. The Coptic church has more than 40 churches in Africa that was visited about 12 times by Pope Shenouda III.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, visited today the Children s Museum Center of Civilization and Creativity. Pope wrote in the guest book that he was happy to visit this place that takes care of children along the ages and thanked its officials for taking good care of the children who are the future of this nation.

The Cathedral of All Saints in Zamalik, Cairo, hosts the Week of Prayer for Unity among all Christian denominations. The prayers are held with the participation of all Egyptian churches in mutual meetings that denounce division.

Coptic Orthodox Church started on Monday the Fast of Nineveh, which is held for 3 days and is followed shortly by the great lent. The Fast of Nineveh is a three-day fast starting from Sunday Midnight to Wednesday noon during which participants abstain from all kinds of dairy foods and meat products and which commemorates the three days that the Prophet Jonah spent in the belly of the Great Fish and the subsequent fast and repentance of the Ninevites at the warning message of the prophet Jonah according to the bible.

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced in a statement that His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, offered his deepest condolences to Abba Makari, Bishop of the southern Shubra Churches and the priests of the diocese in the departure of Father Salib Matta Sawiris who died today. The late priest ministered for years in the church of St. George in Gioushy, Shubra.

The monks of the monastery of St. Samuel in Minya lodged a protest in front of the monastery to denounce the prevention of cars belong to the monastery from reaching inside just like police have prevented families and visitors of the monks. It is worth mentioning that such security procedures have caused a group of cattle to get sick after staying for 9 hours in the open till police allowed them to enter.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patirarch of St. Mark See, condemned the terrorist attack on a security site in northern Sinai yesterday, which resulted in the killing of an officer and 14 soldiers. Pope added that the church is praying for families of the victims and for healing of the injured.