The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Dr. Shawky Allam, Mufti of the Republic, visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to congratuate him on Christmas. This came during a visit of a large delegation of Islamic leaders and scholars to the papal headquarters in Cairo.

Pope Tawadros II assured in an interview with several newspapers that Egypt is united and that the Coptic church has great relations with the state institutions, Al-Azahr and other Christian denominations. He aded that several countries attack Egypt and try to incite instability, but we still enjoy national unity.

Bishop Illarion of the Churches of West of Alexandria visited the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and St. Philopatir in Bashayer al-Khair, Alexandria, to follow up on the final restoration works there. He was accompanied by Bishop Hermian, the General Bishop of the Churches of the East Alexandria Sector, and Father Abram Emile, General Secretary of the Patriarchate.

Pope Tawadros II said that he has taken many decision to arrange the administrative work inside the church. He explained that general secretary of the holy synod takes office for 3 years and for two rounds only instead of life time. Pope added in an interview with several newspapers that he still have many things to do.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, said that the World Youth Forum shows the interest of Egyptian government towards the youth, and this gives them hope in the future. He added that Egypt takes pride in that Forum, and has showed great support for youth after appointed several deputy governors in Egypt.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II commented on the decision of bishop Serapion of Los Angeles to celebrate an early Christmas Mass on December 25 with the Western Churches, while the Coptic Church celebrates it on January 7th. Pope said that the decision doesn t include breaking the fasting and it comes to fulfill the needs of the Coptic congregation in the Diaspora, and similar decisions have been taken including replacing prayers for the Nile River by other rivers near the churches abroad, and by changing the rituals time of celebrating marriage sacrament to be held in the evening instead of the mourning.

The bishop of the Russian Church in Belgium, Bishop Simon, headed a delegation to visit the Monastery of St. Shenouda in Suhag. The delegation was received by head of the monastery and several monks. St. Shenouda the great is one of the most renowned saints of the Coptic Church who lived in the 4th century and contributed to the monastic life in Egypt and the whole world.

The media center of the Coptic Orthodox Church published the translated version of Pope Tawadros’ II sermon published in English on Soundcloud. This comes to serve the Copts in the diaspora, especially the second and third generation whose first language is English. soundcloud.com/media-center-157147919/for-he-covered-us-hh-pope-tawadros-ii-weekly-wednesday-sermon-july-17-2019

His Eminence Abba Pfinutius, Bishop of Samalout, inaugurated the church of St. Paul the Apostle in the village of Dafash along with tis icons and baptism. The church, which was erected on an area of 1,300 meters, is attached to a service building that includes Sunday School rooms, a nursery, a social club and a funeral hall.

Bishop Pachomious of Beheria and Matrouh inaugurated the church of the Virgin Mary and St. Boktor in Helmy Botros village, Abul Matamier. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bishop Bavly of Montazah and Bishop Hermina of Eastern Alexandria.

The Hymns committee at the Youth Bishopric organized the 31st conference of Coptic hymns from December 1-5. The conference was attended by Bishop Karas of Mahala and Hermina of Eastern Alexandria Chruches. The chanters taught the attendees several hymns from the Holy Mass in Coptic language.

Bishop Andraws of Abu Tieg ordained 3 new priests at St. Mark Church in Abu Tieg. The ordained priests are Father Faltaous Wagih, Athnasious Kamil, Philopatir Kamiel. The new priests will spend the forty days following the ordination at the monastery of the Virgin Mary (Muharraq) in Qusiya.

Mr. Janusz Adir, President of Hungary, with the first lady of Hungary and their daughter, visited the Monastery of El Shayeb in Luxor. They were received by the Bishop and Head of the Monastery HG Bishop Silwanis and a number of monks.

During the biannual priest conference of Minya, the priests discussed how to confront heresies. The conference was headed by HG Bishop Makarios of the Diocese, HG Bishop Makari of the Southern Churches of Shubra and Bishop Hermina of the Churches of East Alexandria.

Conference of priests in downtown Cairo was held at St. Mary Conference house in Sherouk, Cairo from November 26-28. The conference was headed by HG Bishop Raphael of downtown Cairo churches and discussed the topic of liturgy in the life of Coptic priests.

Bihsop Eklimindos of Nasr City ordained 22 new deacons from the Sudan in the basic rank of Ebsaltus translated chanter. They were drained at the Church of Our Lady and St. Mina in the East of Nasr City.

Egypt’s first telecommunications satellite, namely Tiba- 1, was launched yesterday from a space centre in French Guiana, on the northeast coast of South America. Tiba-1 s expected to provide and boost internet and telecommunication services across Egypt, and will contribute to developing health, education, and energy fields, not to mention improving services in government sectors across Egypt.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the Cathedral of the Virgin and Joseph the Carpenter at Ezbet El Nakhl, Cairo. 3 alters and icons of the church were inaugurated, and the small chapel of the Virgin Mary, St. Mark the Apostle and St, George was inagurated as well.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, opened yesterday the Central Papal Library in the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadil Natroun, which will be the largest Coptic library in the world. Pope said that the design of the library took the form of architecture that existed in the time of Jesus Christ, and is decorated with high columns that reflect the greatness of knowledge such as the temples of Karnak and the ancient Greek temples. The establishment of the library began in 2017and the library is designed to be a reference for Coptic life, culture, language and history.

Abba Pachomious, former acting Patriarch, celebrated 57 anniversary of his ordination as monk at the Syrian monastery of Wadil Natroun. The celebration was attended by several members of the Holy Synod and the monks.

Dozens of trainees participated in the workshops of the project to train 1000 teachers called (heritage of our church: spirit and life) in its second phase. Sixteen trainers and 80 trainees participated in 6 training workshops.