Meeting of the Holy Synod
Meeting of the Holy Synod
- The Holy Synod of our Coptic Church met at the Church of Anba Antony at the Papal Residence, under the presidency of His Holiness the Pope, with the attendance of sixty members of the Synod.
- The Synod Secretariat presented to all the venerable hierarchs a copy of all the Synod’s decisions during the papacy of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, organized according to subject matter. The Synodal decisions from the eras of the previous Popes are currently being prepared.
- The Synod Secretariat presented a complete file containing all the documents of the session, including a copy of the Synod’s bylaws and a copy of the names of all the members of the Synod.
- The Synod was also provided with a copy of the Church Education curriculum issued by the Supreme Committee for the Secondary and the latest Preparatory stage.
- A memorandum from the Monastery of Saint Anba Antony in the California Desert was presented.
The Synod officially recognized this monastery and welcomed the ordination of Hegumen Karas as its bishop.
- The decisions of the Synod committees were read, in addition to being presented in printed form, and they were approved by the Synod.
- The Synod was informed of the ecumenical relations and of the meetings that had taken place with the Greek Orthodox, the Reformed Churches, the Anglicans, as well as the meeting with the Ethiopians.
- A memorandum concerning the prohibition of marriage to a brother’s wife and a wife’s sister was presented to the Synod. The Synod approved it and prohibited this marriage.
The Synod also decided that the type of kinship or relationship between the engaged couple should be added to the engagement record, as this may reveal a relationship that prevents marriage between them.
- The Holy Synod approved adding the phrase “(or in the air)” to the Litany of the Travelers.
- The Holy Synod rejected the idea of the “itinerant priest.” A priest must have a specific altar to which he is attached.
The Holy Synod also decided that an official committee must be formed to review books and to grant the Tars of Blessing to the books approved by the committee, so that they may be distinguished from other books.
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