The Coptic Orthodox Church will send out invitations to presidential hopefuls and all political parties, including Salafi ones, to attend the Christmas holy mass on 7 January, a papal source told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
The source said that Pope Shenouda III insisted on inviting both Muslim and Coptic Egyptians to the celebration.
It’s good to see an occasional reminder that the Bishop of Rome is “a” pope, not “The Pope.” The Pope of the See of St. Mark is a strong, outspoken, and Godly man.
I’ve been to a Coptic Orthodox service, and can only imagine the splendor of the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day.
Only Coptic Orthodox may receive Holy Communion at one of their services, so there should be no awkwardness at the altar.
May the service go well, and may God reward Pope Shenouda’s valor in inviting these folks to the service.
The Copts have greatly suffered for their faith over the centuries. And yes, the Copts do maintain the immemorial discipline of the Church in restricting communion to those with whom they are in full unity on all matters of faith and doctrine. They are non-Chalcedonians so at present there is no communion between the Copts and the Eastern Orthodox. However serious theological discussions have been underway for sometime and unlike with Rome, I do think it is possible that we could see communion restored during my lifetime. The differences over the decrees of Chalcedon are likely more a matter of miscommunication than real theological digression. It would be wonderful to heal a 1600 year old schism.