News

Palms Sunday in Damascus

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo on the occasion of Palms Sunday at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus.

Statement by Bishop Angaelos following two explosions in Coptic Churches in Tanta & Alexandria

Today, Egypt’s Christians experienced yet another targeted attack, with a bombing of the Church of Saint George in Tanta during what was meant to be a joyous day of families celebrating Palm Sunday. A few hours later there was a second bombing in Alexandria, killing innocent men, women and children as they left a Palm Sunday Liturgy that was officiated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.

While it is still too early to determine responsibility, what is undeniable is the senseless and heartless brutality that can lead a person or people to indiscriminately take innocent lives, especially at the most vulnerable hour of prayer.

Second Explosion in Alexandria: Three killed & Thirty One Injured

John Anton (Special Correspondent in Egypt) – OCP News Service – 9/4/17

Alexandria: Apart from the deadly bombing (today morning hours) at Mar Girgis Coptic Orthodox Church in Tanta that claimed the life of 28 people, another bomb exploded outside the St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, where Pope Tawadros II was celebrating Palm Sunday Liturgy. Two people were killed and more than twenty one were injured. Pope Twadros II is safe.

Source: OCP News Service

At least 15 dead after blast near church in Egyptian city 90km from Cairo – report

RT.com – 9/4/17 - Updated – 41 people killed and more than 21 injured!

At least 15 people were killed and dozens injured in an explosion inside a church in Egypt’s Tanta, north of Cairo, AP reports, citing ministry of interior officials. Reuters says that 42 people were wounded in the incident, which Al-Arabiya called a “bombing.” However, there is no official information on what exactly caused the explosion. A second blast occurred near a police training area in the same town, according to local Daily News Egypt.

Patriarch of the Maronite Church meets with delegation of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society

On 3 April 2017, the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, received in his residence in Bkerké, Lebanon, a delegation of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society led by Mr. Sergei Stepashin.

Churches in Europe working group of Russian-German forum of civil societies ‘St. Petersburg Dialogue’ meets for its regular session

On 4-5 April, 2017, the Churches in Europe working group of the Russian-German forum ‘St. Petersburg Dialogue’ met for its regular session in St. Petersburg. The meeting was devoted to the theme ‘Religious and Ethical Formation and Education in Today’s Russian and German Societies’.