Coptic Pope Tawadros II on a Rare Historic Visit to the Holy City of Jerusalem

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria – Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church has arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem for a historic visit. Pope will lead the funeral services of the Metropolitan Anba Abraham of Jerusalem and Near East. The Metropolitan See of Jerusalem is the second most import center within the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Visits to Jerusalem was suspended by the Coptic Patriarchate since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.

A travel ban was issued for the Coptic Orthodox faithful by the late Pope Shenuda III in 1979. Pope Tawadros II became the first Pope of Alexandria to visit Jerusalem during the last 35 years. Official sources of the Coptic Church says that the Position of the Church remains unchanged on Jerusalem and travel ban for Coptic faithful remains the same. Egypt Government does not impose any travel ban on citizens. Pope and accompanying delegation paid a visit and prayed at The Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Source: OCP News Service