Egypt has three main Christian denominations: the Orthodox, the Catholic and the Protestant or Evangelical. Each sect celebrates Christmas on a different date, although rituals are often the same.

On Friday, Assistant to the Interior Minister and security managers reviewed all services and security facilities located near churches to secure the coming Christmas festivities.

The Governor of Cairo, Atef Abdel Hamid, announced earlier that Cairo’s public parks will open their doors to the public for free on Christmas day. Also, the governor announced that tickets for the Nile bus trips will be 50 percent off.

Abdel Hamid stressed that strict directives were given to the presidents of the districts to make field visits to the local churches and the nearby streets and stores, ensuring that concrete security measures are effectively put in place, including surveillance cameras.

The spokesman of the Coptic Church Paul Halim said that Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Marks Diocese will lead the Christmas Mass at the new Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the New Administrative Capital on Saturday.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is scheduled to take part in the Mass, that will kick off at 19:00 CLT.

Christmas Mass this year will be celebrated for the first time at the new Nativity of Christ Cathedral as a fulfillment of President Sisi's promise made last year while attending the Mass at the Cathedral of St Mark in Abbasiya.