Meeting and Decisions of the Holy Synod
Meeting and Decisions of the Holy Synod
The Holy Synod of our Coptic Orthodox Church met on the morning of Saturday, 14/6, at the Church of Saint Anba Antony at the Papal Residence in the Anba Rouis area in Cairo.
This was under the presidency of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, and in the presence of seventy metropolitans and bishops.
It is noteworthy that this is the largest number of church hierarchs attending a synod in our Church throughout modern times.
All the church hierarchs whose dioceses are outside Egypt attended, namely Their Graces:
- Anba Abraham of Jerusalem.
2, 3. Anba Daniel and Anba Sarabamon of Sudan (from Khartoum and Atbara).
4, 5. Anba Mark and Anba Athanasius of France.
6–8. Anba Seraphim, Anba Misael, and Anba Antony of the United Kingdom (U.K.).
9, 10. Anba Antonious Mark and Anba Paul of South, East, and Central Africa.
11–13. Anba Serapion, Anba Karas, and Anba Youssef of America.
14, 15. Anba Kyrillos and Anba Barnaba of Italy (from Milan and Rome).
- Anba Damian, General Bishop of Germany.
Sixteen metropolitans and bishops from outside Egypt.
Absent abroad due to illness were Their Graces Anba Gregorios and Anba Paula.
Also absent abroad was His Grace Anba Ignatius, Bishop of Suez.
The Holy Synod Recognizes Two Coptic Monasteries
Based on the reports submitted to the Holy Synod, two Coptic monasteries were recognized:
- The Monastery of Saint Anba Shenouda the Archimandrite, in the Sohag Desert, an ancient monastery that was known as the White Monastery.
- The Monastery of Anba Antony and Anba Moses the Black in Sudan (the Diocese of Khartoum), provided that its monks bear the title: “So-and-so Ava Moussa,” to distinguish them from the monks of the ancient Monastery of Anba Antony in the Eastern Desert.
Celebrating 2,000 Years Since the Coming of the Lord Christ to Egypt
Among the matters presented to the Holy Synod was the celebration by our Coptic Church of two thousand years since the visit of the Holy Family to our land of Egypt.
A committee will study the details of the celebration.
Meeting of the Holy Synod of the See of Saint Mark
Decision Concerning Fasting Before Baptism and the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick
It was reported to the Holy Synod that some priest fathers baptize children after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and after consuming the sacred vessels, while they are not fasting. The Synod decided that this practice is incorrect, and that the priest must be fasting.
The Holy Synod advises that baptism take place early in the morning before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, or during the readings. In this case, the baptized person may be given the opportunity to partake of the Holy Mysteries.
The same requirement of fasting for the priest father applies when administering Holy Communion to the sick in their places after the Divine Liturgy.
Therefore, he should not have drunk the water used for rinsing the sacred vessels.
When administering Communion to these sick persons, he should be accompanied by a deacon who served in the Divine Liturgy.
The Rite of Consecrating a Deaconess
The Holy Synod also approved the rite for the consecration of a full deaconess from among the consecrated women who have spent approximately five years in consecration as assistant deaconesses.
This is to be done without the laying on of hands.
She is not permitted to perform any service of the altar or any functions of the priesthood.
Regarding Attendance at Conferences Organized by Other Denominations
The Holy Synod decided that none of the priest fathers may attend a conference organized in Egypt by other denominations when a direct invitation has been sent to him to attend.
The only exception is attendance with the permission of His Holiness the Pope.
Decisions Recommended by the Committee for Diocesan Affairs
The Holy Synod approved the recommendations of the Committee for Diocesan Affairs concerning the importance of preparing preachers for halls and funeral tents during condolence occasions, in order to make use of these opportunities in the care and service of the children of the Church.
The preachers must be Orthodox.
It also approved the recommendation that the decisions of the Holy Synod be taught in the meetings of priest fathers, in the Theological Seminary, and in religious institutes.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
