Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church

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The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the highest authority in the Church of Alexandria[1] and it formulates the rules and regulations regarding matters of church's organisation, faith, service's order.[2]

The Synod is chaired by the Patriarch of Alexandria and the members are the Church's Metropolitans, Bishops, Chorbishops and the Patriarchal Vicar for Alexandria.

Contents

Seniority in the Synod

According to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria traditions the Pope, being Bishop of Alexandria and being the Senior and Elder Bishop and the Metropolitan of the Province and Primate of All Egypt, is the head of the Synod as a first among equals. The most senior position after the Pope was that of the Metropolitan of Western Pentapolis, but since its demise in the days of Pope John VI of Alexandria as a major Archiepiscopal Metropolis, it has been held as a Titular See attached to another Diocese.

There is a special status of seniority of honor for the Metropolitan of the Holy and Great City of Our Lord, Jerusalem, Holy Zion, Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of Jerusalem, All Palestine, Philadelphia of Jordan & All the Near East.

This great archdiocesan Metropolis is technically outside the Egyptian Province and was not originally counted within the jurisdiction of the Pope of Alexandria and it was created by Pope Cyril III (1235-1243) in the Thirteenth Century, which, at that time, had caused a dispute between the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.[3]. This was a very rare incident between the two sister churches as in general their relationship is one of the strongest between any two sister churches.[4]

It is important to note that the Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan of Jerusalem is the only Coptic Orthodox Hierarch who is consecrated as a Metropolitan without being consecrated as a Bishop first then elevated to the Metropolitan rank later as is the norm in all episcopal consecration according to the tradition of the Church of Alexandria. According to the alexandrine tradition, the Metropolitan rank is granted by the Pope of Alexandria to the eparchial bishops under his jurisdiction on a personal status and not due to the size or the importance of the eparchy, which the bishop is shepherding, except in the above-mentioned case of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem. This has been the case since Cyril III consecrated Metropolitan Basilius as the first Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan of Jerusalem and All the Near East. This status is most probably because the Archdiocese of Jerusalem is considered as a Patriarchal Exarchate outside the regular territorial jurisdiction of the Alexandrine Throne and accordingly, the presiding hierarch is a Patriarchal Exarch of the Alexandrine Throne, thus being honored by the Archepiscopal rank right upon consecration.

Currently, and because the seniority of the members of the Holy Synod is decided according to the seniority ranking rules of the ecclesiastical ranks: First come the (Archbishops and Metropolitans, followed by the Diocesan Bishops then the Bishops Exarchs of the Throne, then the Auxiliary Bishops, then the General Bishops and finally the Chorbishops but also according to the date of consecration within each rank.

Currently, the most senior position after the Pope is the oldest consecrated Metropolitan, who is now Mikhail, the Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Asyut (Lycopolis), (Hieracon) and (Apollonopolis Parva) (Consecrated in 1946).

It is to be noted that according to the ancient Alexandrine tradition, that after the Senior Hierarch of Pentapolis came the Hierarch of the Metropolis of (Lycopolis), (Hieracon) and (Apollonopolis Parva), which is Asyut.

It is also to be noted that the most senior Metropolitan in consecration is candidate to become the Locum tenens in case of the death of the Pope and until the election of the new Pope, and he will be the one who enthrones the newly elected Pope along with the entire body of the Holy Synod Hierarchs.

This seniority ranking system does not diminish the importance and the greatness of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem and All the Near East, since its inclusion under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Church of Alexandria in early medieval times. It is to be noted that the archiepiscopal status of this great Metropolis is also granted due to the Holy Apostolic Throne that it represents, being the Apostolic and Patriarchal Throne of Jerusalem, although its Metropolitan Archbishop does not claim that title and is under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Throne of Alexandria.

Gallery

A Gallery of the Coptic Holy Synod of Egypt (All Coptic Bishops) (external link)

A Gallery of the Members of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria In order of date of consecration in Arabic and English (external link)

Primate and Pontiff

Chairman of The Synod

File:Chuck Kennedy - The Official White House Photostream - P060409CK-0199 (pd).jpg
Pope Shenouda III at Cairo University, 2009

1) Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria (Senoutius III)

Metropolitans of the Throne

File:Anba Mikhail of Asyut.jpg
Metropolitan Mikhail of Asyut

2) Mikhail (Michael), Elder Metropolitan of the Holy and Ancient Metropolis of Asyut (Lycopolis), (Hieracon), (Hierakonopolis) and (Apollonopolis Parva)

3) Abraham, Elder Metropolitan of the Holy and Great City of Our Lord, Jerusalem, Holy Zion; Archbishop of the Holy and Ancient Archdiocese of Jerusalem, All Palestineand Philadelphia of Jordan and Patriarchal Exarch of all the Near East.

4) Domadius (Dometius), Elder Metropolitan of the Holy and Great Archdiocese and Metropolis of Giza (Memphis), (Busiris) and Atfih (Aphroditopolis).

5) Pachomius, Elder Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Beheira (Thmuis and Hermopolis Parva), (Buto), (Naucratis), Mariout (Mareotis), Marsa Matruh (Paraetonium), (Apis); Metropolitan Archbishop and Patriarchal Exarch of the Ancient Archdiocese Metropolis of Libya: (Livis, Marmarica, Darnis and Tripolitania) and Titular Metropolitan of the Great and Ancient Metropolis of Pentapolis in (Cyrenaica): (Cyrene), (Appollonia), (Ptolemais), (Berenice) and (Arsinoe).

6) Pishoy (Pisoios), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Damietta (Thamiates), Kafr El Sheikh, Sakha (Xois) and Belqas; Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Demiana and General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Throne.[5]

7) Seraphim, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Glastonbury and Primate of the British Orthodox Church.

8) Hedra, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Aswan (Syene & Elephantine) and (Kom Ombo) and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Hedra and of the Monastery of Saint Pachomius the Cenobite.

9) Wissa (Besa), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of el-Balyana (Abydos), Berdis, Awlad Tookh and its jurisdictions.

10) Arsenius, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Minya, Abu Qirqas, Beni Hasan, (Akoris) and (Hebenu).

Bishops of the Throne

11) Ammonius (Amon), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Luxor (Diospolis Magna), Esna (Latopolis), Armant (Hermonthis) and Edfu (Apollonopolis Parva, Maximianopolis, Eileithyiaspolis and Apollonopolis Magna) (Relieved from Eparchial Shepherding).

12) Benyamin (Benjamin), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Al Minufiyah (Prosopolis).

13) Pavnotius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Samalut and Taha El Aaameda.

14) Angelos, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Al Sharqiyah (Fakus and Tanis) and of the 10th of Ramadan City.

15) Tadros (Theodoros), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Port Said (Pelusium, Tahpanhes, Phacusa and Farama).

16) Ignatius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Suez (Clysma).

17) Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Nag Hammâdi (Khenoboskion) and Abu Tesht.

18) Paula (Paul), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tanta.

19) Markos (Mark), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Shubra el-Kheima.

20) Ashe’yia (Isaiah), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tahta, Juhayna and Gabalein (Aphroditopolis & Hispis (Pathyris))

21) Fam, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tima.

22) Pissada, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Akhmim (Panopolis), Saqualta and the Holy Monasteries of Mount Akhmim in Upper Egypt.

23) Andrawos (Andrew), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abutig, Sedfa and el Ghanayem.

24) Missael, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of the Midlands (Birmingham) and its Affiliated Regions, UK.

25) Abram, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Faiyum (Crocodilopolis, Arsinoe) and Abbot of the Monastery of Archangel Gabriel in the Naqloun Mountain, Central Egypt.

26) Serapion, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii, USA.

27) Demetrius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Mallawi, Ansena (Antinoopolis) and El Ashmunein (Hermopolis Magna) and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Fana, Upper Egypt.

28) Lukas (Luke), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abnub and el Fateh.

29) Bakhoum (Pachomius), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Sohag (Athribis), el-Mansha (Ptolemais Hermiou) and el-Maragha.

30) Barsoum (Parsoma), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Dairut and Sanabou.

31) Antonius (Anthony), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Manfalut.

32) Picenti (Pisentios), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Helwan and Al Maasara (Tura).

33) Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Milano, Northern Italy and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite in Milano.

34) Aghapius, Bishop the Holy Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga.

35) Thomas, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of el-Qusiya (Qis) and Meir.

36) Cheroubim (Cherubim), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Qena, Qift (Coptos) and its jurisdictions

37) Pimen, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Naqada(Ombos) and Qus (Apollonopolis Parva).

38) Takla (Thekla), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Dishna & Dendera (Tentyris) and its jurisdictions.

39) Mena (Menas), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Fresno, Central Valley.

40) Macarius, Bishop of the Eritrean Church in the USA. Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod.

41) Markos (Mark), Bishop of the Eritrean Church in the UK. Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod.

42) Theophilus, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Hurghada, Kosseir, & All the Red Sea , (Olbia), (Apollonopolis), (Arsinoe), (Myos Hormos), (Philoteras), (Berenice) and (Apollonos Hydreium).

43) Maximus, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Banha (Leontopolis) and Quouwaysena (Athribis).

44) Sarapamon (Serapis Amon), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Atbara, Um Durman & All the North of the Sudan and Titular Bishop of the Great and Ancient Metropolis of Nubia, comprising the titular suffragan Holy Dioceses of: (Faras of Nobatia, Dongola of Makouria and Soba of Alodia).

45) Antony, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ireland, Scotland & North East England, United Kingdom and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Athanasius the Apostolic.

46) Damian, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Höxter-Brenkenhausen, Kroeffelbach & All Germany and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Kroeffelbach, Germany.

47) Youssef (Joseph), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Southern United States and Abbot of the Monastery of Most Holy Virgin Mary and Saint Moses the Strong in Corpus Christi, Texas.

48) Barnaba (Barnabas), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Torino and Southern Italy.

49) Suriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Melbourne,Victoria (Australia), Tasmania, ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand and of all Oceania and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony, Heathcote, Victoria (Australia).

50) Gabriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Suef (Herakleopolis Magna) , El-Bahnasa (Oxyrhynchus) and Nilopolis (Delas).

51) Georgios (George), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Matai (Acanthus) and its jurisdictions.

52) Stephanos (Stephen), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beba, Samasta and El Fashn.

53) Timotheos (Timothy), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Zaqaziq (Bubastis), (Busiris) and Menya Al Qamh (Sais)

54) Gabriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Vienna and all Austria.

55) Ilia (Elijah), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Khartoum and all the South of the Sudan.

56) Seraphim, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ismailia (Heroonopolis) and (Pithom).

57) Apollo, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El-Tor (Raithu), Sharm El Sheikh and all South Sinai.

58) Athanasius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Mazar.

59) Aghathon, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Maghagha and El Idwa.

60) Kosman (Cosmas), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Arish (Rhinocorura), El Qantarah, Rafah (Rafia) and all North Sinai.

61) Daniel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Sydney, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and all East Asia.

62) Dawood (David), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Mansoura (Leontopolis) and (Mendes) and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint George at Meit Demsis, Lower Egypt.

63) Apakir (Apa Cyrrhus), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Stockholm and All Scandinavia.

64) Aghathon, Bishop the Holy Diocese of Sao Paolo and all Brazil.

65) Youssef (Joseph), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Santa Cruz and all Bolivia.

66) Mercurius (Mercure), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Girga (Thinis).

Suffragan Bishop of the Throne

67) Athanasius, Suffragan Bishop for the Holy Suffragan Diocese of Marseille & Locum tenens of the Holy Metropolis of Toulon and all France.

Auxiliary Bishops of the Throne

68) Tawadros (Theodorus), Auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Beheira (Thmuis & Hermopolis Parva), auxilliary to Metropolitan Pachomius.

69) Macarius, Auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Minya, Abu Qirqas, Beni Hasan, (Akoris) and (Hebenu), auxilliary to Metropolitan Arsenius

70) Theodosius (Theodore), Auxiliary Bishop of the Holy and Great Metropolis of Giza (Memphis), (Busiris) and Atfih (Aphroditopolis), Assistant to Metropolitan Domadius (Dometius).

Assistant Bishops of the Throne

71) Daniel, Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Diocese of Maadi in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

72) Raphael, Auxiliary Bishop for Central Cairo and the Suffragan Holy Diocese of Heliopolis in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

73) Maximos (Maximus), Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Holy Diocese of Dar El Salam (Irinipolis) in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

74) Silwanos (Silvanus), Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Holy Diocese of Old Cairo (Babylon), Manial and Fum El Kahligin the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

75) Martyrus, Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Diocese of East of the Railroad Region in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

76) Michael, Auxiliary Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Alexandria and all Virginia, USA, assistant to the Pope

77) Petros (Peter), Auxiliary Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Shebin El Quanater, Toukh and El Khanka, assistant to the Pope

78) Salib (Pistavros), Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Diocese of Meit Ghamr in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

79) Mina (Menas), Auxiliary Bishop at large in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

Missionary Bishops of the Throne

80) Antonius Markos (Anthony Mark), Missionary Bishop for African Affairsin West and South Africa.

81) Pavlos (Paul), Missionary Bishop for Evangelism & Mission in East and Central Africa.

Patriarchal Exarchs of the Throne

82) David, Suffragan Bishop and Patriarchal Exarch in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Archdiocese of North America.

83) Youhanna (John), Suffragan Bishop & Assistant Patriarchal Exarch in Cedar Grove, New Jersey for the Archdiocese of North America.

84) Angaelos, Suffragan Bishop and Patriarchal Exarch for the Youth Ministry at the Patriarchal Center and the Coptic Orthodox Theological College at Stevenage, United Kingdom.

Bishop Abbots of the Holy and Sacred Monasteries of the Throne

85) Sarapamon (Serapis Amon), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Scetes, Lower Egypt.

86) Sawiros (Severus), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary known as Al Muharraq Monastery Upper Egypt.

87) Mattheos (Matthew), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary known as the Syrian Monastery, in Scetes, Lower Egypt.

88) Basilius (Basil), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor, in El Qualamon Mountain, Upper Egypt.

89) Yustus (Justus), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great, in the Eastern Desert.

90) Isithoros (Isidore), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary known as the Paromeos (Roman) Monastery, in Scetes, Lower Egypt.

91) Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Mina, in the Desert of Mariut (Mareotis), Lower Egypt..

92) Mina (Menas), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint George in El Khatatba, Central Egypt.

93) Daniel, Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite, in the Eastern Desert.

94) Daniel, Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archmandrite, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

General Bishops of the Throne

95) Ruweis, General Bishop and Patriarchal Emissary at large.

General Bishops Administrators of the Bishoprics of the Throne

96) Moussa (Moses), General Bishop and Administrator for the Bishopric of Youth Affairs.

97) Dioscorus, General Bishop and Administrator of the Patriarchal Print Shop.

Assistant Bishops & Patriarchal Secretaries

98) Botros (Peter), The General Bishop, Personal Secretary for His Holiness Pope Shenouda III at the Patriarchal Residence in Cairo and Chief of the Patriarchal Media (Head of Aghapy TV Channel).

99) Youannes (John), Assistant Bishop and Patriarchal Secretary at the Patriarchal Residence in Cairo.

100) Armiah (Jeremiah), Assistant Bishop and Patriarchal Secretary at the Patriarchal Residence in Cairo.

Chorbishop

100) Issak (Issac), Chori-Episcopus.

Patriarchal Vicar for Alexandria

Hegumen Roweis Morcos, Grand Economos and Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria.

Vacant Metropolis/Diocese/Abbey

1) (Vacant), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El-Mahalla El-Kubra and Samanoud (Sebennytos).

2) (Vacant), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint George in El Rozaiquat, Central Egypt.

3) (Vacant), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Barstow, California, United States. (Vacant after the death of Bishop Karas in 2002)

4) (Vacant), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Toulon and all France; Primate of The French Coptic Orthodox Church. (Vacant after the death of Metropolitan Markos (Marcus) in 2008)

5) (Vacant), Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great, in Scetes, Lower Egypt. (Vacant after the resignation of Metropolitan Mikhail from the Abbotship of the Monastery in 2009)

6) (Vacant), Auxiliary Bishop for the Suffragan Diocese of El Mataria, Ain Shams and Ezbet El Nakhl in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the Pope.

Definition of Hierarchical Terminology: (according to the Alexandrine Tradition)

Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria

Supreme Hierarch of the Holy Orthodox & Apostolic Throne of Alexandria. He is considered first among equals (Primus enter Pares) on his Apostolic Throne. He presides over the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and over all Patriarchal Institutions. He is also the Head of the Catechitical School of Theology of Alexandria.

He consecrates, crowns and enthrones Patriarchs and Catholicoi (within his Dominion/Jurisdiction in Africa). He consecrates and crowns Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops, and delegates several Metropolitans and Bishops to enthrone them. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons, all minor Orders, all ranks of Monastics, elevates Bishops to the Metropolitan, the Archiepiscopal or the Patriarchal Dignity. He consecrates the Holy Myron. He also bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the Monastics who have achieved the highest degree of asceticism in Monastic life or upon those who are to be ordained to the Episcopal Rank.

He anoints, crowns and enthrones Orthodox Emperors and Empresses, Orthodox Kings and Queens. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments. He has the First and the Highest Rank of the Episcopal Dignity of the Holy Apostolic Throne of Alexandria. He is the Primate of the second highest Apostolic Throne, in accordance with the Canon Laws of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325 AD), after Imperial Rome. The Throne of Alexandria later became third in rank, after the Imperial Cities of Rome and Constantinople, New Rome, in accordance with the Canon Laws of the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381AD).

Metropolitan/Archbishop

Administrative Title of the Episcopal Rank for a large Diocese or Eparchy, bestowed upon a Diocesan Bishop by the Patriarch, in recognition for his long service in his Diocese/Eparchy. It can also be granted due to the extended size of a Diocese or an Eparchy (by becoming an Archdiocese or an Archeparchy,) thus forming or is considered as an Ecclesiastical province, which requires its Prelate to be elevated to the Metropolitan /Archiepiscopal Dignity.

The higher Title of Metropolitan/Archbishop is granted to the Bishop of the Major Metropolis (Capital City). He may oversee several Suffragan Bishops (to each his own Diocese) within his province, Auxiliary Bishops (Assistant to the Hierarch) and/or Chori-Episcopoi, under his jurisdiction. It could also be granted due to the historical dignity of a particular Diocese/Eparchy, whose Bishop ought to have the honorary dignity of a Metropolitan or Archbishop (i.e., Archdiocese of Jerusalem & the Near East).

He is called Metropolitan in his own Diocesan City (Metropolis), and called Archbishop in all the other Suffragan Dioceses, whose Bishops are under his jurisdiction. He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes in his Diocese or Eparchy. He bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the Monastics who have achieved the highest degree of Monastic life or upon those who are to be ordained to the Episcopal Rank and ordain novices to the monastic rank for the monasteries under his jurisdiction. He assists the Patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries and holy vessels and vestments in his Diocese or Eparchy.

He exercises the same authority in his Metropolitanate and its jurisdiction as the Patriarch on his Throne. He can also be the Abbot of a Monastery, if assigned by the Patriarch. In the case of the departure of the Patriarch, the Senior Metropolitan in ordination, acts as Locum Tenens of the Throne, until the election of the new Patriarch, whom he will enthrone, along with the entire body of the Hierarchy of the Throne. During that time, no ordination of new Hierarchs, no consecration of the Holy Myron, no new Patriarchal decrees or alteration of previous Patriarchal or Holy Synod decrees can be made. He is Second in Rank in the Episcopal Dignity.

Diocesan/Eparchial Bishop

Hierarch chosen to oversee a Diocese or an Eparchy, whether this Diocese or Eparchy is a subdivision of the Patriarchate or a subdivision of a greater Province, ruled by a Metropolitan Archbishop (which, in this case these are called Suffragan Bishops.) He is the Shepherd of his flock. He has the right to consecrate parishes, altars, baptisteries and all ecclesiastical foundations. He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his Diocese or Eparchy.

He bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the Monastics who have achieved the highest degree of Monastic life or upon those who are to be consecrated to the Episcopal Rank and ordain novices to the monastic rank for the monasteries under his jurisdiction. He assists the Patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates, within his Diocese or Eparchy, all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments.

He exercises the same authority in his Diocese as the Patriarch on his Throne. He can also be the Abbot of a Monastery, if assigned by the Patriarch. He is Third in Rank in the Episcopal Dignity.

General Bishop/Exarch of the Throne

Hierarch who does not have a jurisdiction over a particular Diocese and who is given a temporary Patriarchal assignment to shepherd or supervise either a particular district/portion of the Patriarchal Diocese or on "at large" designation as a delegate assistant to the Hierarch. He can also be serving within the Patriarchal Diocese/Jurisdiction, shepherding multiple congregations. He can also supervise an area or a region that has not yet been designated or established as a Diocese, thus acting as an Exarch of the Throne. In this case, he is considered as a Patriarchal Vicar if assigned within Egypt (the Mother Church) or as a Patriarchal Exarch of the Throne if assigned outside Egypt for certain duration.

He also can be the administrator of a Bishopric (i.e. the Youth, Social & Ecumenical Services, Scientific Research & Higher Coptic Studies Bishoprics) or of a Patriarchal Institution (the Patriarchal Print Shop, or the Patriarchal Secretariat). In this capacity, he is the Administrator of this particular Bishopric or Patriarchal Institution. He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes with Patriarchal permission within the province, which are directly under the Patriarchal jurisdiction, whether within Egypt or outside Egypt, when delegated .

He assists the Patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries and holy vessels and vestments by Patriarchal delegation. He reports directly to the Patriarch. He has the same Episcopal Authority and Dignity as a regular Bishop.

He can also be the Abbot of a Monastery, if assigned by the Patriarch, and in this case he is given the title of Bishop Abbot, and ceases to be a General Bishop or Exarch of the Throne. It is to be noted, however, that the Title of General Bishop is not in conformity with the Holy and Apostolic Canon Laws of the Orthodox Church. On the other hand, an Exarch was and still is a permissible form of Patriarchal delegation or representation.

Auxiliary/Assistant/Suffragan Bishop

A Suffragan Hierarch who has been delegated by the Patriarch to serve a district or part of the Patriarchal Diocese or jurisdiction, as a quasi-permanent, or occasional or temporal helper. He shepherds the congregation of that particular district, reporting directly to the Patriarch.

He can also be assigned by the Patriarch to help a Metropolitan or an Archbishop in his Metropolitanate or Archdiocese, based upon his request, as an assistant. In this case, he reports to the Diocesan Metropolitan or Archbishop. He does not, however, inherit (takeover) the Diocese after the departure of the Metropolitan or Archbishop. In the case that this Bishop is chosen as a “Coadjutor Bishop” to a particular Diocese (whether a Suffragan Diocese or the Metropolitan/Archdiocesan Diocese,) helping the Diocesan Metropolitan, thus being second in command; then he has the right of succession when the latter reposes in the Lord. This form of governance is seldom applied nowadays in the Alexandrine tradition.

The idea of having more that one Bishop shepherding a particular Diocese is against the Canon Laws of the Church. This, however has been, recently, adapted and ratified by local Synodical Decrees, on the basis that the Auxiliary Bishop is assigned to a Metropolitan or an Archbishop within his Province, for a specific district or region (being too small to be considered as a diocese), as a means for better serving the congregation of a large Diocese. In this case the Diocese is considered as a Province. These Auxiliary Bishops are considered to the Metropolitan or the Archbishop of the Province as the Bishops of the Patriarchate are to the Patriarch within his Patriarchate.

These appointments are reasoned in the following cases: 1)The Metropolitan or Archbishop is the general overseer of a large region or jurisdiction, which includes many cities and their suburbs, but reserving the right to be the Bishop (Shepherd) of the main city (Metropolis) of the Province. 2)The Metropolitan or Archbishop is not able to serve alone, due to the size of the Metropolitanate. 3)Due to the age or physical health of the Metropolitan or Archbishop, the Auxiliary Bishop is then appointed to serve either a part of the Metropolitanate/Archdiocese or as a general assistant to the ruling Hierarch.

He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his Diocese or Eparchy. He assists the Patriarch, and all the Metropolitans and all the Bishops in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments by Patriarchal, Archiepiscopal or Metropolitan delegation. He has the same Episcopal Authority and Dignity as a regular Bishop.

Titular Bishop

A Hierarch, who is given the title for a defunct Diocese, in commemoration of its historical status. In the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, it has been the custom to give this title to a Metropolitan or a Bishop who already shepherds an active Archdiocese or Diocese. It would be considered a part of his ecclesiastical jurisdiction; rather than having a Metropolitan or a Bishop overseeing a defunct Diocese, with no real congregation of its own (i.e. Pentapolis and Nubia).

He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in ordaining, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains Archpriests, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, Sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his Diocese or Eparchy. He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops by patriarchal delegation (if he is not already a Diocesan Metropolitan or Bishop as mentioned above).

He has the same Episcopal Authority and Dignity as any regular Bishop or Metropolitan (since in this case, he is in fact a Diocesan Bishop/Metropolitan). He can also be the Abbot of a Monastery, if assigned by the Patriarch, and in this case , he can keep his title of Titular Bishop, side by side with his title of Bishop Abbot.

Chori-Episcopus

An Episcopal rank given for a Hierarch of a small town or village, under the jurisdiction of a Metropolitan or a Bishop. He has the same ecclesiastical authority as that of the other Hierarchs. The exception is that he is to ordain Priests or Deacons, to consecrate holy vessels, altars, baptisteries or Churches only in his village or town. He must have the authorization of the Patriarch, if assigned within the Patriarchal Diocese, or that of the Metropolitan or Bishop of the Metropolitanate/Diocese, in which his town or village is. This special Patriarchal, Metropolitan or Episcopal permission is essential for the above-mentioned ordinations and consecrations. He cannot do the above-mentioned consecration outside his assigned jurisdiction, or even within the main Diocesan cities of the province he serves in.

He assists the Patriarch and other Hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other Patriarchs, Catholicoi, Archbishops, Metropolitans and Bishops by Episcopal permission of the ruling hierarch of the Provincial Diocese or Eparchy, in which he is serving.

He also has no jurisdiction over the Priests or Archpriests of the Major or Capital Cities within the Province where his town or village is located. He has the same Episcopal Authority & Dignity as the Diocesan Bishop, including the above-mentioned authorities with permission. He can also be the Abbot of a Monastery, if assigned by the Patriarch.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Caselaw
  2. ↑ Document
  3. ↑ History of the Coptic Church, Iris Habib Elmasry
  4. ↑ History of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Abouna Menassa Elkomos Youhanna 1923
  5. ↑ Report - Third Meeting - Etchmiadzin, Armenia, 27 – 30 January 2006

External links

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