Pope Tawadros to preside over Good Friday mass amid tight security

CAIRO – 14 April 2017: Pope Tawadros II is presiding over the Good Friday service in Abbasya’s Coptic Cathedral before hundreds of Coptic Christians and number of bishops and priests.

The service will last until 6 p.m. in the church, whose normal coverings have been replaced with black as part of the Church’s celebrations in remembrance of the holy week which marks Jesus' triumphant entry into the Jerusalem and subsequent crucifixion, death and resurrection.

Churches across Egypt are under tight security measures following two major blasts that hit churches in Alexandria and Tanta on Palm Sunday.

The blast at Mar Girgis church in Tanta left at least 44 dead and over 70 injured. Another attack four hours later targeted Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, resulting in 16 fatalities and at least 40 injuries.

Islamic State affiliates claimed responsibility for both attacks.