Statement by the Coptic Orthodox Church regarding the Martyrdom of the Three Monks in the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor, Johannesburg, South Africa

After the criminal attack, on Monday 12 March 2024, on three monks from the Coptic Orthodox Church at the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, issued the following statement:

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses” (2 Cor. 6:4)

Today, three monks were subjected to a criminal attack in our Coptic monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The attack resulted in the martyrdom of the three monks:
-The Monk Hegumen Takla El-Samuely (deputy of the diocese of South Africa)
-The Monk Yostos Ava Markos
-The Monk Mina Ava Markos

The relevant agencies arrived at the monastery and began their investigations of the incident. The Egyptian ambassador in Johannesburg also went to the monastery to follow up the situation.

H.H. Pope Tawadros II is closely following all the details of this incident, waiting to be informed of its causes.

The Church expresses its deep anguish over the occurrence of such a tragic incident, extends its sincere condolences to the families of the three monks, and is full of confidence that only the merciful and just God is able to grant comfort and reveal the truth.

Tuesday 12th of March 2024… 3rd of Baramhat 1740 A.M.

This statement was originally published on the website of the Coptic Orthodox Church.