According to a September 20 report from the U.S. Copts Association, a large number of security officers and soldiers attacked St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Assiut, 380 km south of Cairo in the middle of Mass on Friday, September 19. They entered the church and ordered the priest, Father Abanoub, to immediately leave and close the church. When he refused, the police attacked him, throwing the Holy Sacrament to the floor and stepping on it. When church members intervened, several were deacons and lay members were arrested.
When word of the attack spread through the city, thousands of Copts rushed to the aid of the church, surrounding the police and chanting slogans such as, "By our spirit, by our blood, we will protect our cross!" and "We will die martyrs defending our Church!" The police ordered Father Abanoub arrested, but they were unable to do so because of the crowds.
It is unclear what instigated the attack, though some Copts fear there were plans to convert the historic church into a mosque. While there are unconfirmed reports that all those arrested have since been released, the tension remains and there is yet to be a resolution to the issue.
Pray that President Mubarak will intervene to prevent the continuing violence against Christians in Egypt. Pray that Christians in Assiut may put the confidence in God.
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