Christmas Eve sees largest Mid-east cathedral inauguration

CAIRO – 6 January 2018: Egypt will inaugurate the biggest cathedral in the Middle East on Sunday, in coincidence with the Christmas Eve, which will be led by Pope Tawadros in the new church in the New Administrative capital.

Attending the ceremony at the new cathedral, which is called the “Cathedral of the birth of Christ,” should be per invitations, according to the official spokesman of the Coptic Church, Paul Halim.

Ravelers who want to attend the mass Sunday should request to receive invitation from the Coptic Church.

The Patriarchal Cathedral in Abbasia concluded preparations for the Christmas Mass Sunday evening, which will be attended by a large number of public figures and officials.

Rev. Andre Zaki, the head of the Evangelical community in Egypt, confirmed that a delegation of American evangelical leaders, will participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new cathedral.

The new church’s capacity accommodates 8,000 people, said Samuel Matias previously, adding that the cathedral will provide big buses to transport participants in the mass from Abbasiya to the New Administrative Capital, starting from 1 p.m.

Private cars will not be allowed, according to the spokesperson Halim, assuring that media personnel, including journalists and photojournalists, should adhere to places allocated for them inside and outside the church.

The New Administrative Capital has the largest mosque and church in Egypt that will be inaugurated on January 7, according to Wazir. Wazir also explained that the cathedral covers a total of 63,000 square meters with a hosting capacity of 8,200 persons.

The New Administrative Capital is planned to include 21 residential districts, educational institutions, hospitals, 40,000 hotel rooms, a theme park, solar plants and a new international airport.

Land plots in the new capital have already been launched for investors and developers interested in participating in the mega project.

Participating developers at the moment include the Arab Contractors Company, Concord for Engineering and Contracting Company, and Talaat Moustafa Group Holding Company.