Egypt's Coptic Church on Wednesday (April 11th) announced it will cut back Easter celebrations to a simple mass after deadly Sunday bombings in Tanta and Alexandria, AFP reported.
"Given the current circumstances and our solidarity with the families of the dead, we are going to limit our celebrations to Easter mass," a statement said.
The traditional handing out of sweets to children by Coptic Pope Tawadros II before the start of Easter mass on Sunday also will be cancelled.
"There will be no decorations in churches and the rooms normally reserved for the reception of worshipers wishing to exchange season's greetings will remain closed," an official at the Coptic patriarchate said.
The "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) said it was behind the twin bombings, and threatened further attacks against Egypt's Christian minority.
The violence comes ahead of Catholic Pope Francis's first visit to Egypt, which a Vatican official said will go ahead as planned on April 28th and 29th.
