UAE Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas after Covid-19 - in pictures

  • St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
    St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church. Photo: Ramez Riad
    The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • Its been three years since the Coptic congregation was able to fill the 3,334-square-metre cathedral that normally accommodates 3,000 to 4,000 people. Photo: Ramez Riad
    Its been three years since the Coptic congregation was able to fill the 3,334-square-metre cathedral that normally accommodates 3,000 to 4,000 people. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
    St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • The Egyptian Copts stayed well into the night for gospel readings, followed by a dinner in the early hours of Christmas morning. Photo: Ramez Riad
    The Egyptian Copts stayed well into the night for gospel readings, followed by a dinner in the early hours of Christmas morning. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • The services at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi were attended by the Egyptian ambassador to the UAE, Sherif Issa. Photo: Ramez Riad
    The services at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi were attended by the Egyptian ambassador to the UAE, Sherif Issa. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • The Copts are the native Christians of Egypt, a major ethno-religious group and the largest Christian group there. Photo: Ramez Riad
    The Copts are the native Christians of Egypt, a major ethno-religious group and the largest Christian group there. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
    St Anthony’s Orthodox Church's services began at 8pm and lasted until after midnight. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • Its been three years since the Coptic congregation was able to fill the 3,334-square-metre cathedral that normally accommodates 3,000 to 4,000 people. Photo: Ramez Riad
    Its been three years since the Coptic congregation was able to fill the 3,334-square-metre cathedral that normally accommodates 3,000 to 4,000 people. Photo: Ramez Riad
  • The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church.
    The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church.
  • The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church. Photo: Ramez Riad
    The Egyptian Coptic community in the UAE celebrate Christmas at St Anthony’s Orthodox Church. Photo: Ramez Riad