Report of the Dioceses Committee of the Holy Synod
Report of the Dioceses Committee of the Holy Synod
The Committee met at the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy in Wadi El-Natrun on the evening of Tuesday, 28/4/1992, and the Committee studied several matters:
First — Certificate of Freedom from Marital Impediments:
After study, the Committee saw fit to urge the dioceses to do the following:
1- That the remaining dioceses immediately begin using it, following the example of the many dioceses that have already used it. Regarding the old printed forms, they may be used only within the same diocese among its churches until they are exhausted, provided that the phrase “Not to be used outside the diocese” is written on them.
2- Care should be taken to use these certificates before the engagement and not after it. It must first be ascertained that both parties are free from any marital impediments before carrying out any ecclesiastical procedures.
3- When transferring an engagement record from one diocese to another in order to perform the Crowning there, a photocopy of the Certificate of Freedom from Marital Impediments, authenticated with the seal of the Diocese and the signature of His Grace the Bishop or his delegate, should be attached to the engagement record.
4- Regarding those residing abroad:
Two certificates of freedom from impediments are required. The first is for the period before emigration, from the church or diocese to which the person belonged. The second is from abroad, taking into consideration that, in the event of a civil marriage abroad, the matter should be presented to the General Clerical Council to obtain permission after studying the situation in detail.
Second — Preparing a Special Book for All the Dioceses:
The Dioceses Committee shall supervise it.
This book shall include a summary of each diocese in terms of [the towns belonging to it — the number of its congregation — its churches — a brief account of its ecclesiastical antiquities — the most important manuscripts — the most important ancient icons and their history — the bodies of the saints present there — complete information about its priestly fathers (their dates of birth — dates of ordination to the priesthood — dates of elevation to Hegumen — the churches to which they belong — their literary and spiritual production “books” — their general activities in the diocese — their telephone numbers)].
His Grace Anba Benjamin shall compile the information for Lower Egypt, His Grace Anba Timotheos for Cairo, His Grace Anba Andraous for Upper Egypt up to the end of Assiut Governorate, and His Grace Anba Isaiah for the areas beyond Assiut.
Letters will be sent to the dioceses containing the information required to be collected.
Third — Regarding Ecclesiastical Documents Related to the Sacrament of Matrimony:
(Engagement records — marriage contracts — transfer letters… and others).
The fathers of the General Clerical Council were assigned to study samples of these documents collected from a number of dioceses in order to arrive at the best form for them, to be presented to the Dioceses Committee at its next meeting.
Fourth — Regarding the Examination of the Engaged Couple Before Marriage:
The dioceses that have implemented this system are requested to send their practical experiences in this field for study and evaluation in order to determine the extent to which it may be applied generally.
Fifth — Announcing the Names of the Engaged Couple on the Notice Board of Each Church:
In order to avoid the possibility that either of the engaged persons may be bound by another marriage or engagement, and at the same time out of consideration for the feelings of the engaged couple, the Synodal Committee decided that the engagement should be announced on the notice board in the form of congratulations from the church, thus serving both purposes together.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
