Persecution

Muslim Extremists Attack Coptic Christians Over Church Fence in Marsa Matrouh

Fr. Moses
| Monday, March 15, 2010 | No comments.

On Friday, March 12, Muslim extremists attacked a church and community center in Marsa Matruh and injured 28 Coptic Orthodox Christians, some critically. According to Egyptian officials, the cause of the attack was the assailant’s anger over a new fence that was erected around the center. The assailants mistakenly believed that construction workers were building a new church, not a simple fence around the center.

The following audio files contain firsthand witness accounts of this most recent attack against Coptic Christians in Egypt:

Witness Account #1

Witness Account #2 from the Hospital 

Account from Abouna Matta

World Council of Churches Message of Solidarity to Christians in Egypt

Fr. Moses
| Friday, February 26, 2010 | No comments.

Concerned about the security of Christians in Egypt, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has encouraged the churches in the country to continue their involvement in Muslim-Christian dialogue."

It is a matter of regret that in Egypt today Christians can easily fall victim to violence and hatred, and that their security is not fully guaranteed. Many Copts, in particular, are made to feel like aliens in their own country."

This statement is part of a message to the member churches of the WCC in Egypt issued by the Council’s executive committee at the end of its 23-26 February meeting in Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland.

In one of the latest attacks targeting Christians in Egypt, six Christians and one Muslim were shot down by gunmen at the conclusion of the celebration of a Coptic Christmas midnight mass in Nag Hammadi on 7 January.

Church Leaders Condemn Violence Against Copts in Egypt

Fr. Moses
| Sunday, January 10, 2010 | No comments.

In response to the recent attack and violence against Coptic Orthodox Christians in Nag Hammadi in which six Coptic Christians were martyred, church leaders from around the world have expressed their solidarity with the Coptic Orthodox Church in various ways.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church spoke out against the violence in his weekly blessing on Sunday, saying, "Violence against Christians … has caused indignation among many people, particularly because it has taken place on the most sacred days of the Christian tradition." The Pope expressed a desire for increased accountability from the government and religious leaders. "It is necessary that both political and religious authorities do not fail to live up to their responsibilities," the pope said. "We cannot have violence in the name of God."

Coptic Christians Martyred in Nag Hammadi

Fr. Moses
| Friday, January 8, 2010 | No comments.

On the eve of the Glorious Feast of the Nativity, six Coptic Orthodox Christians were martyred in a new wave of sectarian violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt when three gunmen fired automatic weapons at them after they exited Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Nag Hammadi after the Divine Liturgy on the Feast.

The names of the martyrs are as follows: Zakaria Toma, Mina Helmy Said, Bishoy Farid Labib, Boula Atef, Ayman Zakaria Hanna, and Banoub Kamal.

The martyrdoms were widely reported in the news media, including the following accounts:

[Guardian Unlimited] Egypt gunmen kill seven after Coptic Christmas mass

"Come to Me..."

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
| Friday, May 1, 2009 | No comments.

The following was the lecture given by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 in response to the incidents in Alexandria.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)

My, brethren:

In my mind so many words to say,
And in my heart even more.
But I prefer to remain silent.
I desire silence so the Lord may speak.
And trust that our silence may be more expressive
God hears this silence.
God hears this silence.
He realizes all its meanings,
And all what we suffer.

+ Pope Shenouda III

The Martyrs of Nag Hammadi

His Grace Bishop Serapion speaks concerning the recent martyrdom of six Coptic Orthodox Christians in Nag Hammadi on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity, January 7, 2010.


5:16 minutes (4.82 MB)