05/22/2026
Statement of the Holy Synod Meeting
(Friday, May 22, 2026)
On the morning of Friday, May 22, 2026, the Holy Synod of our Coptic Orthodox Church convened, led by H.H. Pope Tawadros II, in its customary annual meeting, with the attendance of 119 members of the Synod, while a number of members submitted their apologies due to health reasons. This came after the ten synodal committees held their meetings, and the recommendations that were discussed were presented to the General Secretariat Committee, in preparation for being presented to the official session of the Synod.
- First: During the meeting, the members of the Synod discussed and approved several recommendations concerning ecclesiastical administration in a number of pastoral, liturgical, and administrative matters.
- Second: The Synod addressed the draft Egyptian Personal Status Law for the Christian family and expressed several observations, which were recorded and submitted to the House of Representatives in preparation for the approval of the law, which will constitute a true achievement credited to the political leadership and the Egyptian Parliament.
- Third: The importance of celebrating the Feast of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Entry into Egypt was affirmed. This feast is celebrated internationally under the name “Global Coptic Day,” a beloved occasion that the Coptic Church has celebrated for twenty centuries.
- Fourth: The Holy Synod approved in its meeting:
1. The canonization (declaration of sainthood) of the late Metropolitan Sarapamon of Khartoum and Omdurman of blessed memory, who reposed in 1935, as well as the late Hegumen Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim of blessed memory, priest of Saint Mark Church in Shoubra, who reposed in 1975.
2. The recognition of the restoration of monastic life to St. George’s Monastery (Deir El-Magma‘) in the Diocese of Naqada and Qus.
3. The recognition of Saint Mary & Pope Kyrillos VI Monastery in the Diocese of New York & New England, USA.
- Fifth: The members of the Holy Synod decided to resume theological dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church following the assurances that blessings would not be granted to same-sex unions, as stated during the telephone call between H.H. Pope Tawadros II and H.H. Pope Leo XIV on Friday, May 15 of the current month.
- Sixth: The Holy Synod commended the convening of the Conference of the Dioceses of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Europe, America, and Australia, held at the Coptic Cathedral in Venice, Italy (May 2026), over the course of four days, to establish a vision and plan for serving the Coptic Church and her children abroad through the year 2050, with the participation of 30 metropolitans and bishops of the Church.
- Seventh: Since the bylaws of the Holy Synod were established 41 years ago, and many developments and changes have taken place during this period, the members of the Holy Synod agreed to update these bylaws in a manner suitable to the service and expansion of the Church. A timeline was also established for the participation of all Synod members in this update.
- Eighth: We pray from the depths of our hearts for the conflicts and wars sweeping across many regions of the world, and that the Lord may grant His peace throughout the whole world.
- Ninth: We appeal to everyone not to pay attention to malicious lies and rumors in all forms, which aim to create doubt, spread division, and destabilize society.
We also take this opportunity, on behalf of H.H. Pope Tawadros II and the members of the Holy Synod, to congratulate our Muslim brethren in our beloved Egypt and throughout the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, praying for the continued peace and stability of our dear homeland Egypt, under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Peace and edification to the Church of God.
Friday, May 22, 2026 AD, Bashans 14, 1742 AM
