However nothing was left to chance with metal detectors placed at church entrances after a wave of attacks blamed on Islamists which have left dozens of churches destroyed.

Euronews correspondent Mohammed Shaikhibrahim spoke after the service held at Mary Gerges church in central Cairo: “Against a background of security concerns and complex political conditions the Copts in Egypt have celebrated their annual Christmas, hoping in their prayers to see stability and peace return to a country weighed down by three years of political turmoil.”

Source: www.euronews.com