(18/03/2012): News from Cairo

Abba Seraphim and His Grace Bishop Angaelos arrived on the same flight at Cairo airport at 5.15 a.m. local time.

Abba Seraphim was met at the airport by Shenouda Mamdouh, his secretary in Egypt. The Holy Synod will meet at noon at the Patriarchate. after which details of the arrangements for the Pope’s funeral will be announced. Metropolitan Mikhael of Assuit, the senior Metropolitan (consecrated by Pope Yousab II in 1946) will preside.

The Supreme Military Council has granted Coptic Christians a three day holiday to enable them to pay their respects to His Holiness.

The embalmed body of His Holiness, fully vested in pontifical vestments, had been transferred to St. Mark’s Cathedral and is seated on his throne. The staff of the Papal Residence have been admitted before the general public come to bid farewell to the Pope.

The Sunday morning Liturgy is being celebrated in St. Mark’s Cathedral with the body of His Holiness presiding from the throne. Metropolitan Bakhomious of Beheira is the principal celebrant.

Update 11.37am: Bishop Moussa told mourners at the cathedral that Pope Shenouda would be buried at the Bishoy Monastery after the funeral in Cairo on Tuesday at 11am.

Update: 12pm: Abba Seraphim will be attending a Monday Liturgy. Tuesday is the Pope’s funeral, followed by reception of condolences from the government and religious visitors. The Synod will meet again on Thursday.