Egypt’s president greets Pope Tawadros, Copts on Easter

CAIRO – 23 April 2022: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi sent a cable of congratulations to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese and Copts on Easter Sunday.

The president prayed to Allah in the cable to maintain goodness, development, security, and prosperity to Egypt and protect Egypt and Egyptians.

The president also sent similar cables to Egyptian Copts abroad via consulates and embassies worldwide.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria led on Saturday night the Easter Mass at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbassiya district.

A number of ministers, senior officials, Al-Azhar Representatives, and members of the House of Representatives and Senate are participating in the celebrations.

The various dioceses of the Orthodox Church in Egypt launched forms to reserve attendance at the mass amid coronavirus precautionary procedures.

Easter comes after the Holy Week at the end of the 55-day period of Lent. The Orthodox Church started Last February the Great Lent, which lasts for 55 days and ends by Easter, as it held masses and prayers at various churches nationwide.

Hundreds of Christians participated, Friday at the Holy Friday prayers in all governorates around the country. Security forces intensified their presence around the churches to secure the celebrations.

Earlier, Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb extended greetings to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese and Christian people on Easter Sunday.

During a phone call with the pope, El-Tayeb, the leader of the prestigious Islamic learning seat, praised the relations between Muslims and Christians in Egypt, saying they truly embody unity and brotherly relations.

He added that the brotherly ties between the two components of the national fabric will remain as a firm bond bringing them together to face challenges and difficulties.

He also affirmed that his greeting for Christian people is based on the true understanding of the Islamic religion.

Pope Tawadros expressed happiness with Azhar sheikh’s phone call and the permanent renewal of the friendship and love bonds between the strong national fabric that gathers Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

The Coptic pope also praised the cooperation and relations between the ancient institutions of Al-Azhar and the Church in all fields.