A memorial Mass was held Saturday morning for the souls of the 20 who died in the bombing of the Two saints (St Mark and St Peter the Last of the Martyrs) Church in Alexandria of the New Year Eve of 2011. The Mass was held at Mar-Mina monastery,
A memorial Mass was held Saturday morning for the souls of the 20 who died in the bombing of the Two saints (St Mark and St Peter the Last of the Martyrs) Church in Alexandria of the New Year Eve of 2011. The Mass was held at Mar-Mina monastery, 70km southwest of Alexandria, where the dead are buried in a mass grave.
On hand to participate in the occasion with the victims’ families and friends were former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq and Alexandria governor Usama al-Fouli, in addition to several public figures and local politicians. Also present were members of the Alexandria Melli (Community) Council Kameel Seddiq and Nader Morqos, as well as the lawyer who represents the victims’ families Joseph Malak.
Anba Yu’annis, secretary to Pope Shenouda III, presided over the ceremony. He relayed the Pope’s benediction and comfort to the bereaved, and reiterated his message that those who died were martyrs whose blood fortified the Church.
The ceremony was held in a marquee specially set up for the occasion in front of the mass grave upon which heaps of flowers were placed. Anba Botros, another secretary to Pope Shenouda, together with Anba Kyrillos, abbot of Mar-Mina’s, joined in the service, as did a number of Coptic clergy.
In his sermon, Anba Yu’nnis reminded that the horrendous bombing never scared church-goers off; in fact, he said, congregations have been growing and Christians have been flocking to their churches for blessings and comfort.
Meanwhile, Coptic youth have held candlelight vigils in Cairo and Alexandria to honour the memory of the Alexandria victims.