In a tragic incident, three Egyptian Coptic Orthodox monks were brutally stabbed to death in a monastery located in Gauteng province, South Africa.
Authorities announced the arrest of a 35-year-old suspect in connection with the killings, but the motive behind the crime remains undetermined.
The monks were discovered murdered on Tuesday inside the Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor Monastery in Cullinan, a town situated approximately 50km northeast of Pretoria, the capital city.
According to police reports, three victims were found with stab wounds, while a fourth managed to survive after being struck with an iron rod on his hand before fleeing and seeking refuge in one of the rooms.
No items were reported missing from the scene of the crime, authorities stated.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that they are closely monitoring the investigations into the killing of the three Egyptian monks.
Identified by the Coptic Orthodox Church as Hegumen Takla el-Samuely, Yostos Ava Markos, and Mina Ava Markos, all three monks were Egyptian nationals.
Pope Tawadros II expressed deep sorrow over the incident, referring to the monks as “martyrs” and confirming that the church has dispatched a delegation to South Africa.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, the church is providing support to the families of the deceased and the local church community.
A funeral date has yet to be set, but according to tradition, the monks are expected to be laid to rest in South Africa where they served.
Although deadly attacks on places of worship are uncommon in South Africa, the Coptic Orthodox Church, being one of the oldest Christian communities globally, has faced assaults by Islamic militants in Egypt and other regions.
Additionally, the church has recently condemned Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza.
Source-BBC
