The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II, opened a new church in the Fifth Settlement neighborhood of Cairo on Monday.
The Virgin Mary Church is located in the al-Nargess district, providing the neighborood with its first place of Christian worship.
At the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by several priests and bishops, the pope offered thanks to those who worked on building the church.
The opening day was chosen specially, being the first day of the Fast of Nineveh, which runs for three days, from February 22 to 24 this year. The fast commemorates the repentance of the Ninevites at the hands of the prophet Jonah.
