Addressing the public at Christmas Mass at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital, Sisi hailed Pope Tawadros as a symbol of wisdom.

Egyptians are united against division, he added

In his short speech, El-Sisi reassured the Egyptian people that the state does not hide anything, warning them from listening to rumours or any “irresponsible person.”

The state and its officials are keen on the Egyptian people, he added. 

“The international crisis has a very huge impact; the world could change and many countries will be economically affected if the war continues for an additional year or more than that, the president said, referring to impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We are moving at a steady pace despite the current circumstances,” he said, calling on Egyptians not to be afraid or anxious.

Coptic Orthodox Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of the country’s Christian population, celebrate Christmas on 7 January according to the Julian Calendar.

Smaller Egyptian Christian denominations – such as Catholics and Evangelicals – celebrate Christmas on 25 December, according to the Gregorian Calendar.

Coptic Christmas was declared a public holiday in Egypt in 2003.

This year, the government announced that Sunday, 8 January will be a paid day off for public and private sector workers on the occasion of Coptic Christmas.