Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II led Good Friday mass at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbassiya district, attended by hundreds of worshippers and a host of bishops and priests, state news agency MENA reported.

 

Christians are set to celebrate Easter in churches across the country Saturday night in the wake of two deadly suicide bombings that hit St George's church in Tanta and St Mark's cathedral in Alexandria on Palm Sunday.

 

The bombings left 46 dead and dozens injured, constituting the worst combined terrorist attack in history against the country's Christian population. 

 

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State militant organisation.

 

Christians in other parts of the country also flocked to churches to mark the event.

 

 

On Tuesday, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church Bishop Rafael announced the cancellation of Easter celebrations across the country and the limiting of Saturday night masses to prayer services, with a reception for mourners on Sunday.

 

Egyptian authorities have identified the two suicide bombers and the terrorist cells responsible for the deadly attacks.

 

Cairo imposed a nationwide three-month state of emergency after the attacks.

 

Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 90 million and constitute the Middle East's largest Christian community.

 

In December, a suicide bombing hit Cairo's St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, killing 29 worshippers, mostly women and children.