A number of extremists set a Coptic house on fire in the village of Faw in Qena, in escalation in the situation after they refused to allow the Copts to pray on Christmas eve. 5 Copts and 6 Muslims were arrested and the prayers were prevented in the village. Dishna diocese has requested the legalization of a church in the village one year ago, but the demands were ignored though 4000 Copts live in the village are prevented from praying in the church.

For 7 years, Egyptian government ignored families of Martyrs Wajdi Malak and Ashraf Samy who have been killed in a terrorist attack on the Coptic church in MIsurata, Libya on December 30, 2012. It is worth mentioning that wife and children of Wajdi Malak are suffering to live without pension after the government refused to give them a pension and compensation from the Fund for the Families of the Martyrs and the Injured.

For the first time, Muslim government officials attended Christmas Masses in the churches of Sudan. This came after the government announcement Christmas as an official holiday for the first time in eight years. Muslim government officials including Minister of Religious Affairs Nasruddin Mufreh attended a Christmas celebration at the Khartoum Evangelical Bahri Church, which was persecuted and threatened for years by the former regime

St. Mina Monastery celebrates the ninth anniversary of martyrs of the Saints Church in Alexandria who have been killed in a terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve. A Holy Mass will be celebrated at the church of the Saints in the monastery on Wednesday after a spiritual prayers have been held on that occasion for three days.

Dr. Marian Amir Azer became the first Egyptian parliamentarian to deliver a speech at the International Internet Governance Forum in Germany. The speech that was delivered in the German capital Berlin concentrated on the role of technology in todays peace, dignity, equality and safety.

His Eminence Bishop Bfnotious of Samalout inaugurated today the church of St. George in Ezbet Faltaous in Samalout during celebrating the holy mass. The new church was built on and area of 700 square meters and has a service building on an area of 600 square meters that includes Sunday School hall, nursery and a theater.

Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, sent a message of congratulations to Pope Tawadros II on the occasion of the new year and Christmas. He wished the Copts his best regards and for Egypt good, security and peace.

The remains of St. Teresa has returned to her church in Shubra for the third and last time before returning to France by the end of this month. Several people visited the church to receive blessings of the great Saint before the ceremonial farewell will be held tomorrow.

A Coptic family in Khosous, Cairo, appealed to police to find their disappeared daughter Mervat Jamil Shehata, 25, and her child Kyrillos Sami. The family said she went last week with her child to the post office and never returned.

Bishop Markos of Shubra Al-Khaimah returned to Cairo after a pastoral care visit in Saudi Arabia during which he visited the Copts in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. During his stay in Riyadh, Bishop Markos met with Ahmed Farouk, the Egyptian ambassador in Riyadh. It is worth mentioning that Bishop Markos is the first Coptic clergy to visit the Saudi Arabia ever.

Bishop Bfnotious of Samalout inaugurated the church of St. Salome in Jabal al-Tir, Samalout. Another church was inaugurated in the service building attached to the same church, which carried the name of St. Moses the great.

Family of the disappeared Coptic woman Marina Sami appealed to the Interior Ministry to find their daughter who disappeared last October 18th, from the Gesr Al-Suez area in Cairo. The family said that she got married last June and is pregnant, but she went out of her home to visit her family and go to the doctor and she disappeared since this time.

Bishop Raphael of the Churches of Downtown Cairo denied news about commenting on decision of Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles, regarding the celebration of Christmas on December 24 instead of January 7th. It is worth mentioning that Pope Tawadros has supported the decision assuring that it comes to solve a big problem of the Copts in the West.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, received a group university students from the Diocese of Esna and Armant at the Pontifical Headquarters in Cairo. Pope prayed for them and wished them success their spiritual and practical life.

The Council of Churches of Egypt organized a spiritual meeting for 55 priests representing all Christian denominations in Egypt. The meeting was held at the Church of the Virgin in Izbat Al-Nakhl, Cairo, and discussed ‘Mental Health of priests and the Impact on Spiritual Life’

His Eminence Bishop Paul of Ottawa, Montreal and Eastern Canada, ordained a number of deacons at the basic rank of Ebsaltus translated chanter. This came during the celebration of the holy mass at the church of St. Peter and Paul in Montreal.

Ambassador Nabila Makram Abdel Shahid, Minister of State for Immigration and Egyptians Abroad, congratulated Father Angelos Saad, Priest of the Church of the Virgin and St. Athanasius in Canada for calling his name on Fallingbrook Park in appreciation of his role over 40 years in community service. The Minister of Immigration expressed her pride for the efforts made by Egyptian communities abroad in supporting their homeland.

Bishop Kazaman of North Sinai continues his pastoral tour in Australia which started last November 26 until next week. He visited several churches and headed many celebrations and meetings with the congregation and will visit other churches and monasteries. He was delegated by Pope Tawadros to visit the diocese after the resignation of Bishop Suriel

Monk David of St. Samuel Monastery said that thousands of people have visited the monastery to attend the celebrations of St. Samuel the Confessor, which will continue until tomorrow. Police have taken extra security measures to secure the celebrations. The celebration was attended by Bishops Karas of Mahala and Theodosious of Giza.

His Eminence Anba Bakhoum, the Patriarchal Vicar for the Diocese of the Catholic Church, received the remains of St. Teresa at her church in Mahalla. The reception of the holy remains was marked by great celebration attended by the clergy and the congregation.

Copts of Luxor Governorate celebrated the feast of St. Mattaus Al-Fakhouri at the headquarters of his monastery in Esna in the presence of Bishop Mattaus, head of the monastery. The celebration included perfuming the remains and special prayers and rituals, which was attended by Bishop Youacim of Esna and several clergy and the congregation of the diocese and nearby villages.