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The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria has many churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland, under the jurisdiction of three diocesan bishops and one general bishop, with the remaining parishes falling under the direct jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Alexandria.
Contents
- Historical background
- Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Ireland Scotland North East England and its Affiliated Regions
- Churches
- Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands
- Other
- Websites
- South Wales
- Patriarchal Exarchate at Stevenage Hertfordshire South England
- Coptic Orthodox Churches In London
- Brighton and Hove
- References
The first liturgical service prayed in the United Kingdom took place in London on 10 August 1954, officiated by delegates attending the general assembly of the World Council of Churches. The foundation of the church and its establishment of a parish started with a liturgical service held in London in February 1969, prayed by the Bishop of Christian Education, Shenouda (later Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of the Church). Regular services only begun in 1971 when the first resident Coptic priest, Father Antuniyus al-Suryani (later Metropolitan Pakhomious of Beheira) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Andrew's Church, Holborn, London. In 1976, the church council purchased a building in Kensington, establishing the Coptic Orthodox parish of St. Mark; this was served by three monk priests who later on became members of the Holy Synod of the mother church in Egypt. Pope Shenouda III consecrated St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington, London in 1979.
By 1981, other communities had been established throughout the United Kingdom with regular services officiated by visiting priests, including the late Fr. Bishoy Boshra and Fr. Antonious Thabet. In April 1985, St. Mary & St. Antony's Coptic Orthodox Church in Birmingham was consecrated by the first resident bishop sent to the United Kingdom, General bishop, Bishop Missael, making it the second church to be established in the country and the first outside London .
Following the establishment of St. Mary & St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Centre in Birmingham, Bishop Missael was consecrated on 26 May 1991 by Pope Shenouda III as the first bishop of the first Coptic Orthodox diocese in the United Kingdom, the Diocese of Birmingham, which became the Diocese of the Midlands. In 1995, Bishop Antony was consecrated with the formation of the Diocese of Ireland, Scotland, North East England and its Affiliated Regions. Fr. Angaelos Anba Bishoy (now Bishop Angaelos) of Archangel Michael & St. Anthony Coptic Centre in Stevenage was consecrated in 1999 as a general bishop and patriarchal exarch for the Youth Ministry at the Patriarchal Centre and the Coptic Orthodox Theological College.
The Coptic Orthodox Church and congregation has continued to grow and expand throughout the United Kingdom.
Historical background
It is known in the ecclesiastical history of the Church of Alexandria that the Church had sent missionaries in the 3rd or 4th century to the Celtic lands, especially monastics.
It is also known within the Celtic tradition, especially in Ireland, that the foundation of the monastic system among the Celts was either based in portion on or inspired by the Egyptian monastic system, and there are many traces of Alexandrine theology embedded in Celtic theology.
Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Ireland, Scotland, North East England and its Affiliated Regions
Bishop Antony, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ireland, Scotland and North East England. The Diocese was established in 1995.
Churches
Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands
Bishop Missael is the bishop of the Holy Diocese of the Midlands. The Diocese was established in 1991 by Pope Shenouda III, making it the oldest diocese in the United Kingdom for the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. The Diocese is currently based at the Coptic Orthodox Centre in Lapworth, Warwickshire, where Bishop Missael resides. Its territories include North Wales and the English regions: West Midlands, East Midlands, North West and parts of the South East, South West and East of England.
Churches
Other
There are also communities served in:
Websites
South Wales
Patriarchal Exarchate at Stevenage, Hertfordshire, South England
Angaelos, General Bishop & Patriarchal Exarch for the Youth Ministry at the Patriarchal Centre and the Coptic Orthodox Theological College at Stevenage in Hertfordshire, England.
Coptic Orthodox Churches In London
All Churches in the Greater London area are under patriarchal supervision of Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, since he is currently the head of each Parish's Council.