Martyrs of the Church of Saint Peter

A suicide bomber detonated himself inside Mar Girgis (Saint George) Abu Naga Church in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, during the Easter liturgy while the church was crowded with worshippers. The explosion killed 30 people and injured approximately 71 to 87 others. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, naming the perpetrator 'Abu Ishaq al-Masri.' A second bombing targeted the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria later that same day; the two attacks are collectively known as the 'Palm Sunday Bombings.'

Vehicles carrying Coptic Christian families traveling to visit the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor in the Qalmon Mountains, west of Minya Governorate, were attacked in a terrorist assault. Approximately 28 to 29 people — including children, women, and men — were killed, and more than 24 others were injured. The Coptic Orthodox Church gave the martyrs of this day the title 'New Martyrs of Qalmon,' and an annual memorial is held on 26 May.

A terrorist launched an armed attack on the Church of the Martyr Mar Mina the Miracle-Worker and Pope Kyrillos VI in the Helwan district south of Cairo, during preparations for Christmas celebrations. The attack killed 8 Christians and a police conscript who was part of the church security detail. Additionally, two brothers were killed in a separate assault by the same terrorist at a nearby commercial establishment, bringing the total death toll to 10, with 5 others injured. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that evening.