Regina's Coptic Christians mourn victims of Minya attack

CAIRO – 29 May 2017: Regina's Coptic Christians held a special service on Sunday, to mourn the victims of the Minya terrorist attack which left 29 dead and dozens injured, including children.

Members of the St. Mark and St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, who make up the Regina Coptic congregation, prayed for the victims of the attack, according to the Canadian CBC news.

"We are praying for our mother church and for all the Christians in Egypt," said Father Thomas Iskaurous, who arrived in Regina from Egypt in September, becoming the city's first Coptic priest. "We believe that all the people, and the children who were killed in this attack, are now in heaven," he added.

On Friday morning, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a bus carrying more than 50 Christians on the desert road between Minya and Beni Suef. Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.