On Sunday, April 9, 2017, we heard the devastating news of the barbaric attacks on two of our churches in Egypt: one in the city of Tanta and the other in the oldest Church in Alexandria, the Church of Saint Mark, where Pope Tawadros II was celebrating the prayers of the Divine Liturgy of Palm Sunday!

Many of our Coptic brethren were martyred, more than 27 martyrs and many others are injured.

On behalf of Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Victorville, we offer condolences to the families of the martyrs, saying, “On Palm Sunday, on the day of the entry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, on the day of peace, you gave to Christ and to the Church your children and loved ones as a sacrifice, to express their love to Christ, the King of Peace.

We raise our hearts by praying for the martyrs, the wounded, Pope Tawadros II, our churches, and our Fathers in Egypt.

And to fulfill the commandment: “overcome evil with good.”

We pray for the ones who cultivated hatred in the world because they follow evil and Satan in the name of religion, a Religion of violence and devastation!

Therefore, we pray that Our Lord Jesus Christ may forgive and guide them to find His truth and walk in His way.

Fr. Michael Ibrahim