The Coptic Orthodox Church announced the death of the first monk infected with COVID-19 Father Sawiris of St. Paul monastery. The monk was nominated for the position of Patriarch in 2012.

The Youth Bishopric at the churches of Helawan diocese started St. Mark festival online due to the spread of Coronavirus. The festival started in 2004 in Cairo and spread later all over the world and includes a number of competitions including: study, tunes and praises, cultural activities, the Coptic language, research, literary activities, arts, electronic and media, and engineering and scientific innovations.

Aswan diocese issued a statement in which it warned against people claiming they are delegated from the diocese and Bishop Hedra of Aswant to distribute water and oil for healing. Statement added that those people don’t represent the church faith or wisdom that prevents visiting houses in the time of the epidemic.

Following the precautionary measures due to the spread of Coronavirus, Bishop Isaac of Tima celebrated the Holy Mass and held his weekly online meeting with the people of the congregation. It is worth mentioning that congregation are not allowed to attend prayers in the churches inside Egypt and the Holy Synod has not determined when and how the people are going to be allowed.

Abba Makari, General Bishop of the Southern Shubra Churches, announced a new service dedicated to support patients of COVID-19. The Committe provides spiritual, psychological and medical support as well as material support for the needy.

The Coptic Orthodox Churches celebrated today the feast of St. Lazarus, whom Jesus Christ raised from the dead. St. Lazarus lived 40 years after being raised from the dead and was ordained bishop of Cyprus.

Archbishop Pachomious, former acting Patriarch, celebrated today the feast of the entrance of the Holy Family to Egypt at the monastery of St. Makarious of Alexandria in Behira. It is worth mentioning that Coptic Churches have been closed for two months due to the Corona virus and decided today to reopen to celebrate the feast with only 6 people.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, celebrated today the feast of the Holy Family’s entrance to Egypt in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi. It is worth mentioning that Egypt is the only country outside Jerusalem that was visited by the Holy Family. Egypt celebrates the feast of the Holy Family’s entrance on June 1st.

Bishop Ermia, head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, headed today the weekly online meeting of university youth and graduates of Mansoura diocese. This comes as Coptic Churches are closed and all services are suspended due to the spread of Corona virus.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, celebrated the Holy Mass of the glorious feast of Ascension at the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadil Natroun. The celebration was attended by a number of bishops, monks of the monastery, while no congregation were allowed to attend following the precautionary measures due to Coronavirus.

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that the church has not taken yet any decisions concerning reopening churches that were closed due to the spread of Corona virus. He added in a press release that the church is wanting for the right time in order to ensure the safety of the congregation and the Egyptian people.

The Egyptian Orthodox Church in France revealed the precautionary measures to be taken in order to reopen the churches for the Divine Liturgy prayers. The measures include: safe distances between worshippers, social distancing, wearing masks and bringing personal items like bottle of water and personal napkins. The church added in an official statement that they will reopen only for the divine liturgy, while other services will still be suspended.

Bshop Baselius, head of the monastery of St. Samuel the confessor and monks of the monastery celebrated today the third anniversary of the martyrs whom were killed on their way to visit the monastery by the terrorists. 28 Copts were shot dead by the terrorists who attacked the Copts on their way to visit the monastery of St. Samuel.

St. Shenouda Monastery in Australia celebrates the International Youth Day online this year with the precautionary measures taken due to Coronavirus. The celebration will be held on Zoom application and will be headed by Bishop Angelos of London and Dr. Malcolm Shawat, Professor of Ancient History and Coptic Studies at Macquarie University in Sydney. The online conference will discuss the importance of the Bible and its teachings in the life of the great Saint Anthony.

Tanta Coptic diocese announced that Bishop Paula of Tanta will host an online family TV show that will be broadcast online. The show will be called ‘Together we build the house’ and will be presented twice a week.

Bishop Youssef of the South of the United States of America, sent a message of congratulations to the Copts on the occasion of the Holy resurrection and the feast of the entry of Jesus into the land of Egypt, which will come on June 1st, which will also witness the celebration of the Coptic International Day. In his message, Bishop Youssef announced a new competition open for participants from all over the world. The contestants make a video that does not exceed two minutes about their ideal personality of the Coptic history. The videos should be received no later than 12th of July 2020.

Samir Saber Abu Al-Khair, father of the disappeared Coptic minor girl Marina appeared in a recorded video demanding the return of his daughter. He called all security officials and human rights organization to intervene in order to return his doughtier.

Bishop Paula of Tanta delivered his weekly sermon yesterday on the official page of the diocese on Facebook. This came after Pope Tawadros II decided to shut down all churches and monasteries and to suspend all services in order to prevent the spread of Corona virus.

The Salafi leader and Islamic scholar Ismail Abu Hadid and his family were tested positive for Coronavirus after holding mass prayers of Eid al-Fetr. The same Islamic scholar had claimed that only infidels can be infected by Coronavirus and that believers are immune to infection.

Pope Tawadros II sent a congratulatory messages to Islamic leaders and officials in Egypt on the occasion Eid Al-Fitr. In his message, Pope prayed for peace, unity and prosperity in Egypt, and that God will end the epidemic soon.

Bishop Angelos of the northern Shubra churches led the evening prayer of St. Demiana s feast in her church in Baba Duplo in Shubra, with the participation of the church priests, and 3 deacons, while the congregation were prevented from participating due to Coronavirus. The prayers were broadcast on the official page of the church on Facebook.