Egypt's consul in Montreal took part Tuesday in a reception organized by the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary to welcome Anba Eklemandos, the new Bishop of Ottawa, Montreal, and Eastern Canada.

The reception was held on behalf of other Coptic churches in Montreal, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The event was attended by Anba Rafael, the bishop of central Cairo churches, Anba Kirolos and other top bishops in the Orthodox church in Ottawa.

The Coptic Orthodox communities in Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, and Halifax celebrated the arrival of Bishop Eklemandos in mid July.

Members of the Coptic Orthodox community received the newly ordained Bishop at Ottawa International Airport on Wednesday, July 15.

Bishop Eklemandos was ordained by Pope Tawadros II in Cairo in May 2015, and is the second Coptic Orthodox bishop assigned to Canada since 2012. He will be overseeing the newly established Diocese of Eastern Canada.