A conscript and three civilians were injured in an armed attack outside Rafael Angel Church in Alexandria Sunday, Youm7 reported.The assailants were inside a car when they fired shots outside the gate of the church, which is located in Western Alexandria, then escaped, according to preliminary investigations.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Hani Abdel Latif said the attack targeted on-foot security patrols near the church. He added that the church does not host prayers at night.
Security forces intensified their presence outside the church after the sound of shots.
Copts in Egypt celebrated yesterday Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where he, according to the Bible, was met and greeted by palm branches laid down at his feet, creating a path for him to walk on, a member of the Coptic lay Council archpriest Salib Matta told Youm7.
Celebrating this day, Egyptian Christians still perform the same tradition of weaving palm fronds and wheat stalks into decorations.
Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros was scheduled to visit the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi el-Natrun to mark the day.
