Egypt’s Coptic Christians celebrated Christmas on Saturday amid tight security, looking over their shoulders at the violence they have suffered in recent years and ahead, as Islamists emerge as the dominant force in the new parliament.
Pope Shenuda III celebrated a midnight liturgy in Cairo’s Abbassiya Cathedral, that was attended by members of Egypt’s ruling military council, including chief of staff General Sami Anan.
The elaborate service went off without a hitch, raising a collective sigh of relief from the Coptic community of some eight million people, which was targeted by murderers after midnight services two years ago and after a New Year’s Eve liturgy last year. And Coptic churches, homes, businesses and individuals have been targeted in the months following the revolt that ousted president Hosni Mubarak in February.
Soher Hana, leaving one Cairo church after services, said “Christians don’t feel safe. They thought the revolution would herald better times, but it has been the opposite.”
Last year, more than 20 people were killed in an apparent suicide bombing as hundreds of worshippers were leaving the Al-Qidissin (The Saints) church in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria after a New Year’s Eve service.
