CAIRO: The Coptic Orthodox Patriarchy in Alexandria declared an official state of mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the New Year's Eve church bombing, with no celebrations or guest welcoming during the Christmas services. The Orthodox Church issued a statement asking Copts to be wise so that the Holy Synod's efforts to overcome the aftermath of the attack on the Al-Qeddesine (Church of the Two Saints), will successfully come to fruition. “The happiness of the Christmas Eve celebrations was dissipated by a vicious criminal attack targeting Al-Qeddesine Church in Sidi Beshr in Alexandria, killing many Copts and spreading panic between Christians whose only fault was praying in celebration of New Year's Eve,” the statement read. “Evil filled the hearts of those who committed this crime, [which] did not have mercy on a child, a woman, or an old man,” it added. Meanwhile, Bishop Armia, the secretary of Pope Shenouda III, denied rumors spread by the media that the church will not welcome any Muslim delegations during Christmas celebrations on Thursday night. Armia confirmed during an interview on the Egyptian state television talk show “Masr El-Naharda” that people should not believe everything that is said. “We cannot let down the hands [of cooperation extended by] our Muslim brothers and sisters, who share with us the pain while they [confirm] that this attack was against all Egyptians,” he added. Many Egyptian Christians say they fear a repeat attack on their community on Coptic Christmas Eve Thursday and authorities are planning to deploy heavy security around churches to protect them. A Facebook group that attracted 38,000 people is urging Christians to defy fears and go to church on Christmas Eve. However, many Christian families voiced deep fears of another attack. –Additional reporting by AP
