Three Coptic monks from Egypt killed in South African Monastery

CULLINAN, South Africa — On Tuesday at the Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor Monastery in Cullinan, South Africa, three Egyptian monks belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church were fatally stabbed in an attack. Police confirmed the arrest of a suspect on Wednesday.

The monks were viciously attacked at the monastery located in the town east of the capital, Pretoria. Alongside the fatalities, another individual was assaulted with an iron rod but managed to escape, seeking refuge in a room within the monastery, according to police reports.

The arrested suspect is identified as a 35-year-old man, although police have not disclosed further details about him. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday to face charges related to the attack.

Col. Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a police spokesperson, stated that the motive behind the assault remains unclear. Notably, no items were reported stolen from the monastery, indicating that robbery might not have been the primary objective of the perpetrator.

Initial reports on Tuesday suggested that authorities were searching for multiple suspects involved in the incident.

It is rare for South Africa to witness deadly attacks on churches or places of worship, making this incident all the more alarming.

The Coptic Orthodox Church, with its headquarters in Egypt and dioceses spanning several countries, is one of the oldest Christian communities globally. However, it has faced threats and violent attacks by Islamic militants in Egypt and other regions.

The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the Coptic community and highlights the vulnerability of religious institutions even in countries where such attacks are uncommon. As investigations continue, questions remain about the circumstances leading to this horrific assault on the peaceful monastery and its inhabitants.