Security tight as Copts prepare for Easter mass

Egypt tightened security outside churches as Coptic Christians prepared for a subdued Easter mass yesterday days after suicide bombers killed 45 people in two churches north of the capital.In Saint Mark’s Cathedral, where Coptic Pope Tawadros II will lead the mass, worshippers passed through three metal detectors as policemen and soldiers stood guard in the sprawling compound and on the streets outside.Police cordoned off roads leading to the cathedral compound, where a suicide bomber had struck last December, killing 29 people.The government declared a state of emergency and called in the army to protect “vital” installations following last Sunday’s suicide bombings in Tanta and Alexandria.The Islamic State group claimed all three bombings and threatened more.Following the Palm Sunday attacks, the church had said it would scale back Easter celebrations.“Tanta and Alexandria created a big shock, for all of Egypt,” Coptic Church spokesman Boulos Halim said.In Egypt, Copts break a 55-day fast abstaining from all animal products following the mass.“On usual occasions Holy Week is a week for reflection,” said Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop for the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain.Sunday’s bombings, the deadliest on Copts in recent memory, were the latest in a series of attacks against the Christians who make up around 10% of Egypt’s 90mn people.In Sinai, where IS’ Egypt affiliate is centred, militants killed seven Copts in January and February, forcing dozens of Christian families to flee the peninsula.Halim said the church will forgo today morning’s traditional celebrations, and instead members will visit the families of “martyrs” as well as those wounded in the blasts, including police officers.“I don’t think the churches are any emptier, in fact they might be fuller,” said Bishop Angaelos.“But it just means people leave home knowing they are a target, but that doesn’t stop them.”One Copt who gave his name only as John said he will attend Easter mass despite the threat of attacks.He plans to go to a church in the relative safety of the capital, but admitted “if I were somewhere else outside of Cairo, like a village, I would not want my relatives to go and I would be worried about attending”.Christians in a village south of Cairo were attacked after they tried to pray in an abandoned home on Thursday, after which a mob set fire to four homes nearby, according to police officials.