Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Egypt's Pres. Al-Sisi Visits Coptic Orth. Church; Christians Celebrate Xmas Despite Islamic Fear

Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi visited a Coptic Orthodox Christmas mass last night, making him the first Egyptian leader to do so since President Nasser more than 50 years ago, the Euro News website reports today (January 7, 2015).

The show of solidarity was welcomed by the country's eight million Orthodox Christians whose Christmas this year is being overshadowed by an increase in violence from Islamist extremists.

However, amid tightened security, Christian worshipers still managed to mark the day in the predominantly Islamist nation.

Egypt and most Eastern European Orthodox Christian nations celebrate Christmas on January 7 -- not on December 25 as most nations do -- because they still observe the Julian calendar, which corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar that is used by most countries.

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