The head of Egypt s Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II taken on Thursday 30 December, 2021. Photo courtesy of spokesman of the Coptic church Facebook page.
Pope Tawadros led New Year’s mass last year in Anba Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El-Natron with the participation of a limited number of bishops, monks and deacons due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, churches suspended New Year’s celebrations to avoid gatherings and crowding amid the second wave of the pandemic and after a number of priests died from the virus.
The Coptic Orthodox cathedrals and churches aired New Year’s prayers through Coptic satellite channels to limit attendance.
Several churches have allowed reservations to attend the New Year churches this year with a limited number of attendees and amid strict coronavirus precautionary measures.
On Tuesday, Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church announced that it would hold Christmas Mass on 6 January at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ at the New Administrative Capital due to COVID-19 concerns.
The church added that it will not be receiving well-wishers for the same reason.
The mass will be broadcast live on television, according to news reports.
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