The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Central Giza announced that a small fire broke out inside the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Barak al-Khiyam area of Giza in Egypt on Thursday, Oct. 22, after a man entered the church and set fire to some of its furnishings. No injuries were reported, and security forces arrested the suspect.
In a statement, the diocese said the incident occurred around 6 a.m., when an unidentified man entered the church under the pretext of praying, carrying a bottle of gasoline in a bag. He then broke through the door of a small chapel on the building’s ground floor, set fire to several curtains, and damaged wooden Gospel stands and carpeting. Security forces arrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
In a second statement, Bishop Theodosius, the Coptic Orthodox bishop of Central Giza, said he went to the church as soon as he was informed of the fire. Together with several priests, he reviewed surveillance footage showing the man entering the church.
The bishop confirmed that the damage was limited and that no one had been injured.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry said the suspect was apprehended while sitting on a bench, having removed his upper clothing and speaking incoherently. According to the ministry, surveillance footage showed him entering with a plastic water bottle containing a white substance, without being stopped by security personnel at the gate.
The ministry said its assessment indicated that the suspect had mental health problems associated with an addiction to crystal methamphetamine and had previously been admitted to a psychiatric facility. Legal proceedings were initiated, and the public prosecutor’s office took over the investigation.
The incident prompted questions about security procedures at church entrances, where police officers and church-appointed security personnel are expected to check visitors’ identities and screen them before entry. Those concerns come amid rising hate speech in Egypt and around the world.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.