Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians Celebrated Christmas amid COVID-19 Spike

Most Christians in Egypt did not attend Christmas Masses this week, as attendance was strictly limited due to the recent COVID-19 spike. Pictured in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

About 10 percent of Egypt’s nearly 100 million people are Christian, with most belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Pictured in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Christmas Eve Mass was streamed live on TV and social media for those who couldn't attend the celebration on Jan. 6, 2021 in Cairo. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Christmas is a public holiday in Egypt and practitioners attend hours-long church services. This year, many Christians found other ways to socialize during the holiday in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Christian men lined up in front of a barber shop to prepare themselves for the limited festivities in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Despite a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, young men crowd into internet cafés in Cairo over the holiday, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Shoppers preparing Christmas feasts said they were stocking up on oranges because they want extra vitamins during the ongoing pandemic in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Before the Christmas celebration, Coptic Orthodox Christians abstain from eating meat, in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021 (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Musa Nazmy, 32, a baker, helps his wife Marina prepare Christmas dinner in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Sitting with his wife and daughters, Nazmy says, "We weren't allowed to go to our church's Mass this holiday. We are almost getting used to these sad events interrupting our holidays," in Cairo, Jan. 6, 2021. (H. Elrasam/VOA)