CAIRO: The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt has suspended Sunday schools, meetings and mass services for a month to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Within the past 24 hours, five priests of the Coptic church have died after being infected with the virus.
A statement issued by the church, headed by Pope Tawadros II, said that after the increase in the number of new cases it had decided to work with the churches of Cairo and Alexandria to suspend Sunday schools, meetings and all service activities to protect children and society.
It was also decided to suspend the month of Kiahk evenings, and instead follow the recorded nights that will be broadcast on Christian satellite channels. Funeral prayers will be held with one priest and one deacon along with the family of the deceased, preferably in cemetery churches.
Baptisms can be conducted in the presence of family only, with no more than four individuals present. Studies will continue in seminaries, institutes and educational centers with an attendance of 25 percent, and church officials and members must apply the precautionary measures.
Egyptian church suspends all services for a month due to COVID-19
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Egyptian church suspends all services for a month due to COVID-19
- Within the past 24 hours, five priests of the Coptic church have died after being infected with the virus
- Funeral prayers will be held with one priest and one deacon along with the family of the deceased
Abbas discusses Palestinian developments in Gaza, West Bank with Norwegian king
- Abbas said that the Israeli government’s actions aim to weaken Palestinian institutions and hinder the two-state solution
LONDON: President Mahmoud Abbas discussed the latest developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with King Harald V of Norway on Thursday.
Abbas recognized Norway’s financial, humanitarian, and development assistance to the Palestinian people, which ultimately led to the diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state in May 2024.
Abbas discussed with King Harald the serious situation in the Palestinian regions of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He warned of the ongoing Israeli “policy of genocidal aggression, blockade and starvation against the Palestinian people,” in Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency.
He said that the Israeli government’s actions aim to weaken Palestinian institutions and hinder the two-state solution.
The meeting at the Royal Palace in Oslo included PLO Executive Committee Member Ziad Abu Amr, Presidential Diplomatic Adviser Majdi Al-Khalidi, and Ambassador Marie Antoinette Sedin, the representative of the State of Palestine to Norway.
Abbas is on a two-day official visit to strengthen ties and discuss developments in Palestine and the region, Wafa added.
