Today, 20 May, the Coptic Orthodox Church marked the arbaeen of the 45 victims who lost their lives in the twin suicide bombings claimed by Daesh, in Tanta and Alexandria on Palm Sunday, 9 April. [https://en.wataninet.com/coptic-affairs-coptic-affairs/sectarian/egypt-buries-palm-sunday-martyrs-declares-mourning-and-emergency/19637/]
Arabaeen, literally forty, marks 40 days on the death of a person and was venerated by the ancient Egyptians, in connection with the process of mummification. The tradition persists to this day; Copts mark the day by celebrating Holy Mass in honour of the deceased.
Mass was held at the church of Mar-Girgis (St George) in Tanta, scene of the first suicide bombing on Palm Sunday. Mar-Girgis’s sacrificed 29 martyrs, mostly deacons since the bombing took place next to the deacon choir, who paid their lives for their faith. Anba Pola, Bishop of Tanta presided over Mass in which a number of bishops and Tanta clergy participated.
The martyrs were buried in a collective grave made especially for them in the grounds of Mar-Girgis’s. Anba Pola has changed the church’s name into Mar-Girgis and the martyrs, and Gharbiya Governor Ahmed Saqr changed the name of the street on which the church lies into the Street of the Martyrs.
Anba Pola explained that the Armed Forces had moved to repair and renovate the church directly after the bombing, but that he had asked them to wait till the bishopric could repair a few damages that were the outcome of dilapidation and had nothing to do with the bombing.
The bishop announced that a special committee had been formed to offer all necessary aid and care to those who were injured in the bombing, and to the families of the martyrs. The committee includes medical doctors and administrators, as well as legal advisors and communications officers.
Also this morning, Holy Mass was celebrated at Mar-Mina monastery southwest Alexandria, in honour of the 16 martyrs killed in the suicide bombing on Palm Sunday at the gate of St Mark’s cathedral in Alexandria. The martyrs were buried at the monastery, next to the 24 who lost their lives in the 2011 New Year Eve bombing at the church of the Saints in Alexandria. [https://en.wataninet.com/coptic-affairs-coptic-affairs/sectarian/new-year-2011-in-alexandria/7405/]
Officiating today’s Mass were Bishop Kyrillos Ava Mina, abbot of Mar-Mina’s; Anba Theodoseus, Bishop of Mid-Giza; and Anba Ilarion, Bishop of Alexandria West. Pope Tawadros, who is on a pastoral visit in Ireland, sent a warm-hearted message of condolence to the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Watani International
20 May 2017