Orthodox Church says 3 monks killed in St. Mark monastery in armed attack in South Africa

CAIRO – 12 March 2024: The Coptic Orthodox Church announced, Tuesday that three monks were criminally attacked in the Coptic monastery of St. Mark and St. Bishop Samuel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

 In an official statement, the church explained that the accident resulted in the martyrdom of three monks named: “Monk Tekla Samueli, representative of the Diocese of South Africa. Monk Justus Ava Marcus. Monk Mina Ava Marcos.”

The church added that all relevant agencies moved to the monastery and began their work to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The Egyptian ambassador in Johannesburg also went to the monastery to follow up on the situation.

Pope Tawadros II, according to the statement is following all the details of the incident closely, waiting to know its causes.

The Church expressed its extreme pain over the tragic incident, and extended its sincere condolences to the families of the three monks.