WATANI International
21 February 2010
The Arbaeen Mass, which commemorates the fortieth day after the death of the six Coptic victims in the Nag Hammadi Christmas Eve shootout, was held last Tuesday at Anba Badaba monastery 3km north of the town of Nag Hammadi, under strict security measures. Pope Shenouda III delegated his secretaries Anba Yu’annis and Anba Boutros to officiate in the ceremony and offer his condolences to the victims’ families and to the congregation of Nag Hammadi. Some 13 Coptic bishops form inside and outside Egypt were on hand to take part in the Arbaeen Mass, including Anba Kyrillos of Nag Hammadi, Anba Wissa of Baliana and Kosheh, and Anba Pimen of Naqada and Qous.
Only those carrying personal invitations issued from Nag Hammadi bishopric were allowed to attend the Arbaeen Mass. The invitees started arriving as early at 5:00am. A large marquee was set up at the Anba Badaba grounds to accommodate the crowds who arrived without invitations; their number amounted to some 5000. Photos of the martyrs hung all around and a large sand engraving of a blue cross and red heart lay on a prominent spot on the ground.
Anba Wissa led the prayers. The families of the martyrs were seated at the front pews holding the photos of their sons. Several of those who had been injured during the shootout and had been released from the hospital also attended.
Qena governor General Magdy Ayoub, head of Qena security apparatus General Mahmoud Gohar, and Sheikh Mohamed Abu Zayed, deputy to the Minister of Endowments, all attended and offered their condolences. The local politicians and MP, however, were entirely absent. This aroused the criticism of the media and the Copts.
