The Coptic Orthodox Church has issued a statement allowing the resumption of church activities, services, and Sunday School; all of which had been suspended since March 2020 on account of the spread of COVID-19.
The Church’s statement began with the Bible verse: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord” (Psalm 84: 1,2).
It went on to announce that in Cairo and Alexandria, the parishes under the direct jurisdiction of Pope Tawadros, the resumption of church activities would be at 50 per cent of the capacity. In other parishes, the statement explained, matters shall be managed by the respective metropolitans or bishops, each according to the health conditions in his parish. In all cases, the cautionary measures against COVID-19 stipulated by the Church on 27 June 2020 should strictly apply.
The decision to resume activities, the Church’s statement said, was taken in light of the Cabinet’s recent decision to resume various activities in the country.
“We pray that the Lord should grant us that churches would be remain open for evermore”, the statement concluded.
For details of the cautionary measures stipulated by the Coptic Church:
Coptic Church partially reopens under COVID-19, advises cautionary conditions for worship
Watani International
18 September 2020