Priest describe how Christians in Egypt attacked as Islamists seize and destroy Coptic churches

The Coptic Orthodox priest was quoted in the NY Times article which stated that he “would talk only after hiding from the watchful eyes of the bearded Muslim outside, who wore a pistol bulging from under his robe.”

Father Yoannis, discussed the situations in the tense country in the remains of an ancient monastery in Dalga.

Egypt protests have led to destruction of several Coptic Churches all over the country
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The Islamists torched, looted and destroyed the Coptic church in southern Egypt in the wake of President Morsi’s removal from office on July 3.

“The fire in the monastery burned intermittently for three days,” Father Yoannis said. “The looting continued for a week. At the end, not a wire or an electric switch is left.”

While the ancient relics and treasures dated back 1,600 years, it was stripped clean.

“Even the remains of ancient and revered saints were disturbed and thrown around,” Father Yoannis said.

The article details how “Dalga, a town of about 120,000 people, including 20,000 Christians, has been outside government control since hard-line Islamist supporters of Mr. Morsi drove out the police and occupied the police station on the day the Egyptian military removed Mr. Morsi.”

These Muslim extremists have targeted Christians across the country, destroying their homes, businesses and places of worship.

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