Suspicion surrounds murder of
Coptic Orthodox bishop in Egypt
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| Egyptian, Coptic Christians pray.- ANSA |
The Abbot of the Monastery of San Macario, Coptic Orthodox
Bishop Epiphanius, is found murdered under suspicious circumstances.
By Francesca Merlo
Uncertainty reigns in Egypt over the death of a Coptic
Orthodox bishop of Alexandria, Anba Epiphanius, Abbot of Saint Macarius the
Great monastery (Dayr Abū Maqār).
Lifeless body found
The bishop was found lifeless inside the monastery at dawn
on Sunday 29th of July. He was lying in a pool of blood on the
way from his cell to the church. He had what appeared to be a head wound,
supposedly inflicted by a sharp, heavy object.
His death was confirmed in an official note released by Fr.
Boulos Hallym. In the note he added that the date of bishop Epiphanius’ funeral
will only be provided once judicial authorities within the monastery have
completed their investigation.
Local news sites speak of it as a “terrorist act” and a
“criminal act”, according to Fides News Agency, though investigations have not
yet provided any further information.
Spiritual father
Anba Epiphanius, disciple of Matta el Meskin, was a
spiritual father and key figure in the modern history of the Coptic Orthodox
Church. He lived intense spiritual relationships with his friends and members
of the monastic communities of the Catholic Church, according to the Fides
Agency.
Scholar and medic
A native of Tanta, 64-year-old Abbot Epiphanius had a degree
in medicine. He became a priest in 2002 after entering the Great Monastery of
Saint Macarius in 1984. Abbot Epiphanius worked on translations, from Greek to
Arabic, of several books of the Bible.
A researcher and scholar, he took part in the 10th
international Conference on Coptic studies in Rome in 2012. One year later, on
February 3rd 2013, he was elected Abbot by the 100 monks of the
Monastery of Saint Macarius.
The Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, Pope Tawadros II, has sent
his own delegates to the Monastery to obtain information on the tragic
occurrence.
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