The Rev Ian Alexander, Secretary to the Church of Scotland's World Mission Council, has sent messages of condolence to Protestant Churches in Egypt and to Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, in the wake of two deadly attacks on churches.
Suicide bombers launched the attacks on Coptic Christians in Alexandria and Tanta, Egypt, on Palm Sunday, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 100. The terror group Islamic State claimed responsibility.
The letter of condolence to the Protestant churches read: “We are thinking of you and our friends in Egypt in the aftermath of the terrible attacks on the Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria and the church in Tanta.
“We stand with you in Christian solidarity for the rights of allpeople to worship freely and safely and offeryou our heartfelt prayers for the safety and wellbeing of the whole Christian community in Egypt.
“Blessings and peace.” The Rev Dr Andrea Zaki Stephanous, President of the Protestant Churches of Egypt, responded: “I would like to thankyou foryour support and prayers. We are going through a realtough time.
“Yesterday's attacks were heartbreaking. Palm celebrations turned to mourning.
“Keep us in your prayers, our eyes are lifted upon our Lord & we are praying for our country & for all afflicted families. “May His peace prevailamidst of this turbulent time.”
Church of Scotland minister the Rev Colin Johnston, who is in Cairo working with students at the the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo, was visiting Alexandria and had been in the cathedralin the hours before the blast. He said: “Do please keep the Church and indeed the nation of Egypt in your prayers. As you are maybe aware there have been dreadful and deadly bomb blasts this morning in Tanta, a city in the Delta, and then at the cathedral in Alexandria.
“I was actually in Alexandria overnight and had visited the cathedral yesterday, watching people in the courtyard making wonderfully intricate palm crosses. Then this morning I had joined the worship there: it was absolutely packed, standing room only.
“I left after about an hour to go to the Presbyterian church nearby, but after the service there I came out to discover mayhem. The streets were crowded with distraught people, many in tears. There was broken glass, and ambulances coming from alldirections.
“I stopped at a coffee shop which I had visited yesterday, but the man behind the counterwas unable to speak, the tears running down his face. I am now back in Cairo, but am wondering about the people I spoke with and took photos of, as they made the crosses yesterday.” (Church of Scotland)