International Christian Concern | Dec. 3, 2018
Multiple news outlets report that Saudi Arabia hosted its first Coptic Orthodox mass this past Sunday. The mass was held inside a home in Riyadh and led by Bishop Anba Markos, Metropolitan of Shoubra al-Kheima, Cairo. It occurred following an invitation offered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this past March. Anba Markos has previously visited Saudi Arabia on three pastoral visits since the year 2012.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia maintain a close economic relationship. According to a 2017 report by Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), most of the 9.5 million Egyptians working abroad live in Saudi Arabia. They are reportedly the largest Arab expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.