Pope of The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria - Pontifical Duties

Pontifical Duties

The duties of the Coptic Orthodox Pope, apart from his diocesan duties, are:

  • To guide the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in accordance to the orthodox faith.
  • To guide the various dioceses under his jurisdiction and nominate candidates for episcopal advancement.
  • To consecrate bishops for various dioceses or bishoprics, to elevate bishops to the metropolitan dignity and to consecrate and enthrone Patriarchs for daughter autonomous or autocephalous churches of the Church of Alexandria.
  • Being first among equals among the bishops of the Church of Alexandria, he leads in all interorganizational matters among all dioceses.
  • Being the Chairman of the Supreme Ecclesciastical Court, he acts as the Supreme Judge in all matters of ecclesiastical discipline with Holy Synod approval.
  • To chair the Holy Synod of the Church of Alexandria as first among equals.
  • To promulgate missions to preach Christianity to various parts of the world.
  • To canonize saints, through the approval of the Holy Synod. A requirement of the Coptic Orthodox faith is that at least 50 years must pass from a saint's death to canonization.
  • Erection and consecration of new dioceses and churches, and erection of new or reviving old monasteries and maintaining their monastic communities. Under the papacy of Pope Shenouda III, many new Coptic Orthodox churches were established in North America, Europe, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and elsewhere.

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