HH Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the see of St. Mark headed on Monday, June 2, 2017, the plenary session of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, where the meeting began after the Mass service at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center at the Cathedral.
First: Decisions
1. Designation of Amshir 8/February 15 of each year to commemorate modern-age Coptic martyrs
2. Establishment of a special department in the General Bishopric for Social Services to specialize in caring for the families of martyrs and confessors
3. Recognition of the monastery of St. Victor (Boctor) in Khatatba for monks
4. Reiteration of the previous decision: “It is not allowed for anyone to print, or reprint, or to use any rites books that are used in worship in the Church without the approval of the rites committee of the Synod” (June 10, 1995 Session)
5. It is not allowed to use any recording of Coptic hymns as a source or a reference without the approval of the rites committee of the Synod
6. The Committee of Medical Matters:
a. “The Christian teaching clearly states that any believer is defiled only by sin.
b. Also, the human [body] “is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19), which does not leave the person except in the case of dying in sin. Thus, the woman is pure and a temple for the Holy Spirit all the days of her life.
c. However, due to the godliness and proper care (readiness) in partaking of the holy Mysteries (Communion), and abiding by the Tradition that has been handed down to us, it is fitting for a man or a woman to abstain from Communion in periods of physical unpreparedness*, except in exceptional cases for pastoral reasons as decided by the priest who is the spiritual-guide for the individual.
d. We also confirm that a woman is not prohibited under any circumstances from performing all other spiritual practices including: personal prayers, the liturgy, reading the bible, service, or being present in church.
e. We also confirm that a new-born child (male or female) can be baptized at any day after the birth if necessary.”
*Physical unpreparedness (i.e. bodily discharge of all kinds: nocturnal emission, menstrual cycle, post-birth bleeding, sexual intercourse)
