Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    • Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands Named Honorary Doctor in Athens
    • Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center Annual Benefit Reception on June 16
    • Saint-Sophia-Seminary-Quarterly-No. 2
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Egypt: Four churches closed by furious mob — “The hate is clear”

    Egypt: Four churches closed by furious mob — “The hate is clear”

    0
    By Webmaster on January 17, 2019 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: The Persecution of Christians

    The Egyptian government is very slow to approve applications for the construction of new churches. This story illustrates what are all too often the consequences: Christians go ahead with construction of an urgently needed church, and then are subjected to mob violence, often aided and abetted by government officials. As Father Sami says below: “What happened frightened us. I am a priest and it is possible for the police to cuff me if the extremist neighboring Muslims protest or gathered in front of my church. Things are getting worse, but let us pray to make God keep us in peace.”

    Please continue to remember in your prayers our brothers and sisters of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt as they are persecuted for their Christian faith. Pray for their safety and peace, and for that of the nation’s Greek Orthodox Christians as well. Pray that the government and police provide all the Christians of Egypt with the assistance and protection they need to construct churches and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in freedom and without fear.

    “Christian persecution: Four churches CLOSED by furious mob – ‘The hate is clear,’” by Latifa Yedroudj, Express, January 16, 2019:

    FOUR churches have been forced to shut down after angry protestors attacked the premises, amid rising fears of a worldwide crackdown on Christianity.

    In recent weeks, hardline Islamic extremists have carried out a spate of attacks against four churches in Egypt, persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) has reported. All four churches were in the midst of seeking official recognition from the state to carry out worship services. Following protestors’ demands, Egyptian authorities closed down the churches and denied Christians the right to carry out public worship services. On 7 January, which is Egypt’s Orthodox Christmas, more than 1,000 of furious extremists gathered outside Mar Girgis Church in the village of Manshiyet Zafarana.

    According to the Archbishopric of the church, police promised demonstrators they will close down the church and stop Christians from worshipping.

    A statement issued by Archbishopric of al-Minya and Abu Qirqas reads: “More than 1,000 militants demonstrated against the church, chanting offensive and inflammatory statements in the presence of security forces.

    “[They] asked them to calm down and promised them that they would do whatever they wanted to remove the people (Christians) from the place and close it.”

    Police officers arrested the church’s priests, transporting them in a car used to carry animals and garbage….

    Other similar protests were reported in the village of Abo Karkas on January 11 with protests at the village of Kafr el-Mansoura on 27 December and the village of Kom Al-Raheb on 9 December….

    Andro, a Christian lawyer, told ICC: “The police behaved by an offensive way. They behaved with the priests as they would with killers. How dare the police cuff the priests! It is a shame on the Copts there.”

    Father Sami, a local priest, also told ICC, “What happened frightened us. I am a priest and it is possible for the police to cuff me if the extremist neighboring Muslims protest or gathered in front of my church. Things are getting worse, but let us pray to make God keep us in peace.”

    Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said: “It is no coincidence that Egypt’s Christians have been so heavily targeted by extremists within the past four weeks.

    “They are often singled out during the celebration of Christian holidays, such as Christmas.

    “These incidents also demonstrate how the police often contribute to the problem by adhering to the mob’s demands, even allowing the mob to rage on with no consequences for their violent actions.”

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleIOTA’s Inaugural Conference is the largest International Gathering of Orthodox Scholars in Modern History
    Next Article UKRAINE AUTOCEPHALY: Virtual Town Hall Meeting – Saturday, January 26, 2019

    Related Posts

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    June 2, 20252 Mins Read

    Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.