The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Fayoum (some 100km Southwest Cairo) has announced it would allow the baptism of babies and their anointment with Holy Chrism at the desert monastery of Anba Our some 20km south of the city of Fayoum.
Babies may be baptised on any day during the week that started Sunday 5 April and ends on Palm Sunday 12 April.
A statement issued by the diocese and sponsored by Anba Abra’am, Metropolitan of Fayoum and its monasteries, said that parents wishing to baptise their children needed to contact the monk Fr Timotheus al-Naqlouni to decide on the time available for a baptism. Only the father, mother, and baby may be present, and all cautionary health measures are to be strictly implemented. The statement stressed that no one apart from the three mentioned would be allowed into the monastery, and that they should arrive on time and leave directly once the baptismal rite is over.
The Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod, chaired by Pope Tawadros II, had on 2 April 2020 extended a decision it had taken on 21 March to close all churches, in an attempt to halt the spread of coronvirus. It said the closure applied to Holy Week, and would be in place till health conditions in Egypt stablised.
Until 5 April, Egypt reported 1173 COVID-19 cases among which 78 died and 247 recovered.
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Watani International
6 April 2020