Deacons in white robes and carrying staffs with bronze crosses from Melbourne's Coptic Orthodox Christians took part in a street protest yesterday, decrying violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt. Protesters carried six black coffins, and placards with messages such as "Bloodshed is Not What I Wanted for Christmas", referring to the drive-by shooting of six Coptics in southern Egypt on January 7 as they left church after celebrating Coptic Christmas Eve, The Age reported.
Behind the some 6,000 protesters were priests and the head of the church in Melbourne, Bishop Suriel.
Liturgical singing resounded down Collins Street, and many in the march carried crosses or wore black armbands. Curious shoppers and lunch-goers who accepted leaflets from the protesters were asked "pray for us".
Other placards said "Thousands slaughtered. No Convictions", "Egyptian Government Take A Stance" and "Enough", referring to other deaths including 21 Coptics killed at El-Kosheh when Muslims extremists went on a 2000 New Year's weekend rampage, looting and destroying 260 homes.
They were also highlighting their claim that the Egyptian Government has failed to prevent sectarian attacks by Muslim extremists.
A Mass was held earlier in St Paul's Cathedral for those killed. Attendees ranged from Bishop Paul White from the Anglican diocese of Melbourne, Reverend Bob Thomas of the Presbyterian Church, Reverend Jason Kioa, president of the Victorian Council of Churches, and Pastor Ken Vogel, general secretary of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
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