CAIRO — An autopsy on a Coptic Orthodox monk who had until recently belonged to a monastery northwest of Cairo where the abbot was killed showed clear signs of poisoning, Egyptian security and medical officials said Thursday. They said the autopsy was performed late Wednesday, hours after the monk was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Assiut, the closest city to the Al-Muharraq monastery where the monk has lived since last month. The officials said the autopsy showed signs of an agricultural insecticide commonly used in southern Egypt, where al-Muharraq monastery is located. Zeinoun was dying when monks went to his cell early Wednesday to fetch him for the traditional pre-dawn prayers. Epiphanius’ killing has shaken Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the oldest in the world and the one that gave monasticism to the faith.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 27, 2018 14:15 UTC