The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria announced Sunday the death of the head of Monastery of St. Macarius in Wadi El Natrun, Bishop Epiphanius.
Security officials said that Epiphanius, 64, was found with a severe head injury, yet the Church has been waiting for the results of investigations initiated by the security and judicial authorities.
Coptic Church spokesman Boulos Halim told Asharq Al-Awsat that the case is now in the hands of the investigation authorities, stressing that the church will wait for the results.
Bishop Epiphanius was named in 2013 head of Anba Makar Monastery near Wadi el-Natroun in coastal Beheira province.
In a statement issued about the death of Bishop Epiphanius, the Coptic Orthodox Church said that he passed away at the monastery on Sunday morning under ‘strange circumstances’.
It said it would later announce the date of the late bishop’s funeral.
Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria expressed his condolences in an official statement describing the late bishop as filled with modesty and gentleness.
Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Dr. Mostafa El Feki also offered condolences given that Epiphanius was a board member of the Coptic Studies Center in the Bibliotheca. Feki added that the late bishop has set the example of a humble scholar and an ascetic monastic who worked hard to serve the nation and culture.
