Surrey RCMP lay charges in Coptic Orthodox Church blaze

Surrey RCMP have arrested a 35-year-old woman following their investigation into a fire that destroyed St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Whalley last month.

The woman, of no fixed address, was arrested Aug. 26 and charged with two counts of arson in connection with two incidents of arson, the first on July 14, the second on July 19, police said Monday.

Sgt. Elenore Sturko said the loss of the church has had a significant impact on members of the congregation and the greater community. “We hope that this announcement of an arrest and charges will bring some comfort to those who were impacted.”

St. George’s was the centre of a relatively young, Coptic Orthodox, immigrant community.  Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller sent a message of support to Canada’s Coptic Orthodox bishop after the destruction of the church, which was described as a “haven” for new Canadians and ancient holy rites.

The blaze, which took place amid a spat of church burnings in July, was the most destructive attack on a church in Metro Vancouver. All the church’s religious artifacts, a wide array of iconography, and a number of other facilities including a library were lost in the fire.

In 1998, St. George’s became the first officially consecrated Coptic Orthodox Church in British Columbia. The late Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and the 117th Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presided over the consecration.

Bishop Mina, the Coptic bishop for Western Canada, said rebuilding the church is a priority, and a rebuilding campaign started immediately after the fire. Donations for the rebuilding effort can be made on the church’s website.