Governor of Assiut, Major General Essam Saad, announced the start of the works of paving the way to the monastery of the Virgin Mary known as Muharraq. The governor added that the 5 kilometers way will be developed by 55 million pounds dedicated to the project. This comes as part of a bigger plan to develop areas visited by the Holy Family in Egypt after the Vatican named the places as religious pilgrimage destinations.

Major General Essam Saad, Governor of Assiut, visited the monastery of the Virgin Mary in Jabal al-tir on the occasion of the glorious feast of Epiphany. The governor was received by Bishop Youanis of Assiut, and was accompanied by a number of senior officials in the governorate. The attendees wished Egypt unity, stability and peace.

Dr. Tarek El Gammal, President of Assiut University, stressed the University s keenness to take all necessary measures to prepare the university campus for the reception of students with disabilities during the next academic year 2019 - 2020, in the framework of the initiative launched last year to announce the University friendly to people with disabilities. The University witnessed a training course on Disability Equality organized by the Center for Disabled People s Services in cooperation with Helm Foundation and AMIDEAST. He explained that the university administration has developed a plan of action which targeted a number of procedures that included the preparation of the campus in this appropriate manner, in addition to holding a number of training courses and workshops to train the members of the administration and faculty members to deal with students of disabilities and integrate them in different activities.

Prosecutors are investigating the death of a monk who had until recently served in a monastery northwest of Cairo where the abbot was killed in July. Yet, primary report of forensic medicine of monk Zinon al-Maqari suggested poisoning as cause of death. Two monks — one of whom has been defrocked — are on trial for the death of Bishop Epiphanius, head of the monastery.

Thousands of Copts celebrated 100 years of Sunday schools in Assiut. The celebration was headed by Pope Tawadros II and 150 bishops and priests in addition to senior officials of Assiut. Pope Tawadros said in his speech that the curricula of Sunday school include faith, ethics and national values and patriotism.

Officials at the governorate of Assist visited the path of the Holy Family at the monastery of St. Mary in Doronka village to raise its efficiency after it was considered an international sacred place. The Assistant Secretary of Assiut Governorate, Dr. Awad Ahmed, said that all the obstacles that may face the project will be overcome by all means.

650 Ethiopian tourists visited the monastery of St. Mary in Assiut where the holy family had stayed for a while. The delegation took 13 buses accompanied by tourist guides who told them about the historical city.

People in Assist managed to arrest two young men who kidnapped two girls in the street. Police were reported and the two young men were handed to the police as well.

Abba Youannis, bishop of Assiut, headed the celebrations at St. Mary monastery in Assiut. Thousands of visitors have arrived to the monastery to attend the celebration that is held each year at the historic monastery in Jabal al-Tair.

Yassir Dosouky, Governor of Assiut, visited the monastery of St. Mina in Abnoub known as the Hanging Monastery at the feast of establishing the first church on his name. The monastery has been celebrating this occasion for years by celebrating the holy masses and receiving many visitors.

Coptic Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Assiut announced they will not hold celebrations on Easter and will only hold the ritual prayers and receive condolences on Easter.

7 terrorists were killed while exchanging fire with security forces in the Eastern mountain in Assiut. Police announced that the terrorist started shooting at the forces when the forces were trying to arrest them. Several weapons were found in their possession.

A group of Russian students have paid a visit to the Monastery of Our Lady in Assiut. They are learning Arabic and Islamic civilization in Egypt.

Police in Assiut were reported about the kidnap of a Coptic child called Kyrolous in front of his elementary school.

3 people were injured in sectarian clashes between Coptic and Muslim families in Assiut. The clashes came after disagreement between children of the two families. the injured people were moved to hospital to receive treatment.

Father Karas Badri, priest of the Coptic church in St. John church in Dewaina village, Abu Tig, said that the church has launched anti-illiteracy campaign.

After five years of struggle to build the Evangelical Church in Abu Tig, Assiut, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential license to build the Church.

Assiut criminal court sentenced 4 defendants to death penalty on charges of murder, kidnapping and resisting authorities.

Police in Assiut arrested 6 defendants on charges of kidnapping a Coptic child in Sahil Salim village, Assiut, for ransom.

Masked men kidnapped a Coptic student called Kyrolos Reda in front of his school in Assiut today. Eyewitnesses said that the child was hit on the head first before he was forced into their car. Police were reported and the matter is currently under investigation.

Egyptian police and army are taking extra security measures to secure celebrations of Christmas. Abdel Basset Denkul, Assiut director of security, said that cooperation with Egyptian army comes to secure the celebrations as well as public and private properties.