The Armed Forces hospitals in Cairo, in which the Copts injured in the Palm Sunday (9 April 2017) suicide bombing are being treated, asked the Coptic Church to hold a Resurrection Mass in hospital on Easter Eve for the patients. The Church readily complied, assigning Fr Pavlos from Tanta and Fr Boulos from Cairo to preside over Mass held at the two military hospitals in Maadi and Galaa’.
A hall at each hospital was prepared to host Mass. The injured and their families all participated, also members of the Church’s Crisis Committee headed by Anba Pimen and represented in this case by Ra’fat al-Khanagry. Given that the suicide bombing had taken place close to the deacons pews in the church of St George in Tanta, many of the injured [and the almost 30 who died] are deacons. They actively took part in Mass in hospital while in wheelchairs, participating in the Resurrection hymns, play, and procession. Many were moved to tears.
After Mass, the hospitals hosted the congregations for a sumptuous dinner.
This is the first time Holy Mass is held in a hospital in Egypt.