The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church under the leadership of H.H. Pope Shenouda III met with seventy bishops in attendance on Monday October 10, 2011 in the Papal residence in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the events of the prior day in front of Maspiro where at least 24 of our beloved children have been killed and at least 200 have been injured. We confirm that our Christian faith doesn’t allow us to use violence of any kind. But we also know that strangers implanted themselves among our children and committed acts that are more suited to their morals. Coptic Christians feel that these attacks are always being repeated without accountability and without the due justice of the law. The Holy Synod invites all Coptic Christians to fast and pray for three days beginning Tuesday October 11, 2011 that God may bring His peace to our beloved country of Egypt.

We pray for the souls of our departed brethren and for their families. We ask our Lord to protect us during this difficult time. There will be no demonstration on Saturday, October 15th in downtown Toronto. Instead, all churches will gather on Sunday, October 16th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm to pray for the rest of the souls of the departed. More details will follow.