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More than one year after the country's 2012 revolution, violence against Christians in Egypt has escalated. One of the recent attacks occurred on February 15th, when a mob of a few hundred Islamic militants threw stones and set fire to St. Georgas Coptic Church, located in the poor village of Sarsena (about 100 km. southwest of Cairo). The church, which was built about 20 years ago, provided ministry to approximately 200 Christian families. Reportedly, the extremists felt justified in their actions, stating that the church was illegal because of its close proximity to their Muslim neighbourhood.

Unfortunately, attacks against Christians in Egypt have become too frequent. During a recently aired radio interview, Father Rafic Greiche, a spokesperson for the Greek Melkite Church, explains the serious ramifications of the country's increasing persecution. "Christians don't feel secure at all -- especially now," he states. "We have a lack of security, and the people are demoralized." He then mentions another great concern: "The people who are emigrating are the people who have money and are the most educated," thus alluding to the possibility that the poorer members of Egypt's Christian communities may be left with no one to speak up for them and guide them in times of difficulty. For an historical overview on this country and past reports/video clips, check the Egypt Country Report.

Pray that the Christians living in the village of Sarsena and throughout Egypt will be strengthened and encouraged as they face this season of persecution. May God protect and bless all who have chosen to follow Him and become part of His beloved family. Pray, too, for the forgiveness and salvation of those who are essentially serving as pawns of the enemy -- the real culprit behind the ploy to harm God's people. According to 1 John 4:4, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." May our Almighty God arise, proving His great faithfulness and bringing glory to His wonderful name!

Current Ministry Project

VOMC works with international partners to provide a safe place of refuge, counsel and discipleship for Christians from Muslim backgrounds who were forced to flee their homes due to religious pressure from their families, and/or have experienced ostracization from others in their communities because of their identity in Christ.

Project Fund: Underground Church

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
106,437,241 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (90), Christianity (10)

Leader
President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws

Source: World Factbook

Pray for Egypt

Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.

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Egypt News

  • More Church Buildings Licenced
    Crosses atop a church.
    A church in Egypt.
    Photo: VOMC

    While the Egyptian government formed a committee in September 2016 to work through 3,730 applications to legalize unlicenced church buildings, the process has been slow. When VOMC last reported on the situation in September 2021, there were still 1,772 applications rem

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    A shaded path leading to a church entry
    A Coptic church.
    Photo: Flickr / jipolo (cc)

    A Christian man and his elderly father were shot dead by Islamic terrorists on August 30th while working in their field. Police found the bodies of 40-year-old Hani Waheeb Moussa and his father Salama after family members had lost contact with them. Han

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  • Mob Violence Erupts After Official Approval of Church
    St. George's Church in Cairo
    The Coptic church traces its presence in Egypt back to the first century.
    Photo: Flickr / Edgardo W. Olivera (cc)

    In 2016, a government committee was established in Egypt to work through more than 3,700 applications for the legalization of previously unlicenced church buildings. While the process

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    Supreme Constitutional Court building
    Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt
    Photo: Wikipedia / Ahmad Badr (cc)

    On February 9th, the Egyptian president officially swore in the new head of the country's Supreme Constitutional Court: Boulos (Paul) Fahmy Eskandar. Judge Eskandar is the first Coptic Christian to be appointed to this positi

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