Coptic Orthodox buildings across Egypt abroad have decorated black flags and curtains on their walls and entrances, showing sorrow over Christ’s crucifixion, starting from April 12 and lasting for a week.
A member of the General Congregation Council in Alexandria Mohsen George said that the Coptic Orthodox churches in Alexandria hung black curtains and flags starting with Palm Sunday, lasting until the end of the Holy Week.
He added that these black curtains will be replaced with white ones starting on Good Friday and lasting for 50 days – a celebration of Christ’s triumph and resurrection..
Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria headed the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Pishoy Monastery of Wadi al-Natroun without attendance as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a short speech during mass, Tawadros said that the gospel recounting the story of Zacchaeus shall console those Copts staying in their home who failed to attend the mass.
The closure of the churches is for a temporary time due to the coronavirus outbreak worldwide, Pope Tawadros II said.
Very few priests, monks and deacons participated in the mass which was followed by prayers.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
