Three Coptic Orthodox monks were murdered today, 12 March 2024, in the Coptic monastery of St Mark the Apostle and St Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg. The Coptic Church issued a statement that reads:
“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses” (2 Cor 6:4)
Today, three monks were subjected to a criminal attack in our Coptic monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The attack resulted in the martyrdom of the three monks:
-The Monk Hegumen Takla El-Samuely (deputy of the diocese of South Africa)
-The Monk Yostos Ava Markos
-The Monk Mina Ava Markos
The relevant authorities arrived at the monastery and began their investigations of the incident. The Egyptian ambassador in Johannesburg also went to the monastery to follow up the situation.
Pope Tawadros II is closely following all the details of this incident, waiting to be informed of its details and causes.
The Church expresses its deep anguish over the that tragic incident, extends its sincere condolences to the families of the three monks, and is confident that only our merciful and just God is able to grant comfort and reveal the truth.
Watani International
12 March 2024