Pope Tawadros II to Lead 2026 Christmas Mass at Nativity of Christ Cathedral

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, will preside over the Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

He will be joined by several bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The cathedral doors will open at 6:00 PM on the day of the Mass, and no one will be allowed entry before this time. The Mass is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.

Attendees can arrive using private cars or buses provided by their respective churches.

Parking spaces will be designated outside the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, and attendees are urged to refrain from attending if they have any symptoms of illness to ensure the health and safety of everyone present.

Just hours ahead of Christmas celebrations, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital is preparing to welcome thousands of worshippers for the Christmas Eve Mass, one of the most significant events on the Egyptian Christian calendar.

The service will be led on Tuesday evening, January 6, 2026, by Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, with the participation of senior church leaders. 

The ceremony reflects national unity and reinforces the values of tolerance and citizenship that define Egyptian society.

The Cathedral of the Nativity sends a powerful message to the world that Egypt remains a country of coexistence and mutual respect. 

Over the years, the cathedral has become a symbol of internal peace and interfaith harmony, representing a model of social cohesion and acceptance.

As one of Egypt’s most prominent religious and cultural landmarks, the cathedral stands as a clear embodiment of national unity and the state’s vision of building a cohesive society rooted in tolerance and shared citizenship.

The cathedral was officially inaugurated on January 6, 2019, in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Pope Tawadros II.

Since then, it has served as a major religious and cultural destination, hosting key Christian celebrations, most notably the annual Christmas Mass, which brings together thousands of Egyptians in an atmosphere rich with spirituality, faith, and history.