Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Church leaders approve key decisions on doctrine, monastic life, and personal status legislation during annual Holy Synod meeting chaired by Pope Tawadros II.
The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church has reaffirmed its rejection of same-sex blessings while endorsing a series of major ecclesiastical and administrative decisions, including proposed amendments to Egypt’s long-awaited Christian personal status law.
Meeting under the chairmanship of Pope Tawadros II, the annual gathering brought together 119 bishops and senior church leaders to review recommendations submitted by the Synod’s ten specialized committees covering pastoral, liturgical, administrative, and legal affairs.
The decisions adopted during the session touched on some of the most significant issues currently facing the Coptic Orthodox Church, from relations with other Christian denominations to the future governance of the church and the legal framework governing Christian families in Egypt.
Church Submits Remarks on Christian Family Law
One of the most closely watched topics discussed during the meeting was the draft law on personal status for Christian families, legislation that has been under discussion for years and is expected to regulate matters such as marriage, divorce, and family disputes among Egypt’s Christian communities.
The Synod said it had finalized a number of observations and recommendations that have been forwarded to the Egyptian parliament ahead of the law’s final approval. Church leaders described the legislation as a significant step that could bring long-awaited legal clarity for Christian families across the country.
Same-Sex Blessings Remain a Red Line
The Synod also announced the resumption of theological dialogue with the Catholic Church after receiving assurances that same-sex unions would not receive ecclesiastical blessings.
According to the church statement, the decision followed recent communications between Pope Tawadros II and Pope Leo XIV earlier this month.
The issue had emerged as a sensitive point in relations between the two churches after broader debates within global Christianity regarding pastoral approaches to same-sex couples. The Holy Synod’s latest position makes clear that the Coptic Orthodox Church continues to reject any form of blessing for same-sex relationships.
Recognition of Saints and Monastic Expansion
Among the ecclesiastical decisions approved during the meeting was the formal recognition of the sanctity of Anba Sarabamon, who died in 1935, and the late Father Michael Ibrahim of St. Mark Church in Shubra, who died in 1975.
The Synod also approved the restoration of monastic life at the Monastery of Saint George in the Diocese of Naqada and Qus and recognized the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and Pope Kyrillos VI in the Diocese of New York and New England in the United States.
Church Plans Governance Reforms
Church leaders agreed that the Synod’s governing regulations, first adopted more than four decades ago, require modernization to reflect the church’s global expansion and changing pastoral needs.
A timetable was approved to allow all Synod members to participate in updating the regulations, which guide the church’s internal administration and decision-making processes.
Diaspora Strategy Through 2050
The Synod also praised a recent conference held in Venice, Italy, bringing together bishops serving Coptic Orthodox communities across Europe, North America, and Australia.
The gathering focused on developing a long-term vision for serving Coptic communities abroad through 2050, reflecting the growing importance of the church’s diaspora population and the need for coordinated pastoral planning.
Calls for Peace and National Unity
Concluding its annual session, the Holy Synod offered prayers for peace amid ongoing conflicts around the world and urged Christians not to be influenced by rumors or misinformation that could sow division or undermine stability.
The church also extended Eid al-Adha greetings to Muslims in Egypt and around the world, expressing hopes for continued peace and stability in the country.
