The

Holy Synod In several of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches and Eastern Catholic Churches, the patriarch or head bishop is elected by a group of bishops called the Holy Synod. For instance, the Holy Synod is a ruling body of the Georgian Orthodox ...

of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the highest Orthodox authority in the

Coptic Orthodox Church The Coptic Orthodox Church (), also known as the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, is an Oriental Orthodox Christian church based in Egypt. The head of the church and the See of Alexandria is the pope of Alexandria on the Holy Apo ...

. It formulates the rules and regulations regarding matters of the Church's organisation and faith. The synod is chaired by the

patriarch of Alexandria The Patriarch of Alexandria is the archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation "pope" (etymologically "Father", like "Abbot"). The Alexandrian episcopate was revered as one of the three major epi ...

and the members are the Church's

metropolitan archbishop Metropolitan may refer to: Areas and governance (secular and ecclesiastical) * Metropolitan archdiocese, the jurisdiction of a metropolitan archbishop ** Metropolitan bishop or archbishop, leader of an ecclesiastical "mother see" * Metropolitan ar ...

metropolitan bishop In Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan (alternative obsolete form: metropolite), is held by the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a Metropolis (reli ...

s, diocesan bishops, patriarchal exarchs, missionary bishops,

auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also be titular bishops of sees that no longer exist as territorial jurisdictions. ...

suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations. In the Catholic Church, a suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese; the diocese led b ...

assistant bishop An assistant bishop in the Anglican Communion is a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop. Church of England In the established Church of England, assistant bishops are usually retired (diocesan or suffragan bishop, suffragan) bishops – in ...

s, chorbishops and the

patriarch The highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church (above major archbishop and primate), the Hussite Church, Church of the East, and some Independent Catholic Churches are termed patriarchs (and ...

vicar A vicar (; Latin: '' vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English p ...

s of the Church of Alexandria.

Seniority

According to Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria traditions, the

pope The pope is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...

, being the bishop of Alexandria and being the senior and elder bishop and the

of the province and

primate Primates is an order (biology), order of mammals, which is further divided into the Strepsirrhini, strepsirrhines, which include lemurs, galagos, and Lorisidae, lorisids; and the Haplorhini, haplorhines, which include Tarsiiformes, tarsiers a ...

of all Egypt, is the head of the Holy Synod as a first among equals. The most senior position after the pope was that of the metropolitan archbishop of

Pentapolis A pentapolis (from Ancient Greek, Greek ''penta-'', 'five' and ''polis'', 'city') is a geographic and/or institutional grouping of five cities. Cities in the ancient world probably formed such groups for political, commercial and military rea ...

, but since it ceased to be a major archiepiscopal metropolis in the days of

Pope John VI Pope John VI (; 65511 January 705) was the bishop of Rome from 30 October 701 to his death on 11 January 705. John VI was a Greeks, Greek from Ephesus who reigned during the Byzantine Papacy. His papacy was noted for military and political break ...

it has been held as a

titular see A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular metropolitan" (highest rank), "titular archbi ...

attached to another metropolis. There is a special status of seniority of honor and precedence for the metropolitan archbishop of the Holy and Great City of Our Lord,

Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...

, Holy Zion,

archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...

of the Holy

Archdiocese In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated ...

, All

Palestine Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in West Asia. Recognized by International recognition of Palestine, 147 of the UN's 193 member states, it encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and th ...

, Philadelphia of Jordan and All the

Near East The Near East () is a transcontinental region around the Eastern Mediterranean encompassing the historical Fertile Crescent, the Levant, Anatolia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and coastal areas of the Arabian Peninsula. The term was invented in the 20th ...

. This great archdiocesan metropolis is technically outside the Egyptian Province and is not considered to be within the jurisdiction of the pope of Alexandria, but is one of the possessions of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. It was created by Pope Cyril III (1235–1243) in the thirteenth century, which, at that time, had caused a dispute between the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and the

Syriac Orthodox Church The Syriac Orthodox Church (), also informally known as the Jacobite Church, is an Oriental Orthodox Christian denomination, denomination that originates from the Church of Antioch. The church currently has around 4-5 million followers. The ch ...

of Antioch. This was a very rare incident between the two sister churches as in general their relationship is one of the strongest between any two sister churches.History of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Abouna Menassa Elkomos Youhanna 1923 According to the Alexandrine tradition, the rank of

is granted by the pope to the diocesan bishops under his jurisdiction on a personal status (In Personam) and not due to the size or importance of the bishop's eparchy; however, the rank of metropolitan archbishop is granted to those whose archdioceses have historical importance and had or have more than one

suffragan diocese A suffragan diocese is one of the dioceses other than the metropolitan archdiocese that constitute an ecclesiastical province. It exists in some Christian denominations, in particular the Catholic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandr ...

within their territorial jurisdictions. The Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop of Jerusalem is the only Coptic Orthodox hierarch who is consecrated as a metropolitan archbishop without being consecrated first as a bishop and later elevated to metropolitan archbishop, as is the norm in all episcopal consecration according to the tradition of the

Church of Alexandria The Church of Alexandria in Egypt was the Christian Church headed by the patriarch of Alexandria. It was one of the five sees of the pentarchy, alongside Rome, Antioch, Constantinople and Jerusalem. Tradition holds that Saint Mark the Evangeli ...

; it is done concurrently on the same occasion. This has been the case since Cyril III consecrated Metropolitan Archbishop Basilius as the first Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop of Jerusalem and All the Near East. Usually the chosen hieromonk is consecrated first as a diocesan bishop, then with time, he could be awarded the higher dignity of metropolitan bishop. Sometimes the nominated diocesan bishop is already an

or general bishop, in which case he is only enthroned as the bishop of that

diocese In Ecclesiastical polity, church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided Roman province, prov ...

. Currently, and because the seniority of the members of the

is decided according to the seniority of the consecretion/elevation date of the ecclesiastical ranks: First come the metropolitan archbishops and metropolitan bishops, followed by the diocesan bishops then the bishops exarchs of the throne, then the

s, then the

s, then the general bishops and finally the chorbishops but also according to the date of consecration within each rank. Accordingly, the most senior position after the pope is the oldest consecrated metropolitan archbishop, who was Metropolitan Pachomios, the metropolitan archbishop of the Holy Metropolis of

Damanhur Damanhur ( ', ) is a city in Lower Egypt, and the capital of the Beheira Governorate. It is located northwest of Cairo, and E.S.E. of Alexandria, in the middle of the western Nile Delta. Damanhur is a historic city, whose history can be dated ...

(Hermopolis Parva) and Beheira (Consecrated in 1990). In spite of the ancient Alexandrine tradition, the most senior hierarch, after the senior hierarch of

, is the hierarch of the Metropolis of Lycopolis, Hieracon and Apollonopolis Parva, which is

Asyut AsyutAlso spelled ''Assiout'' or ''Assiut''. ( ' ) is the capital of the modern Asyut Governorate in Egypt. It was built close to the ancient city of the same name, which is situated nearby. The modern city is located at , while the ancient city i ...

; but since the great and ancient Titular Metropolis of

Cyrenaica Cyrenaica ( ) or Kyrenaika (, , after the city of Cyrene), is the eastern region of Libya. Cyrenaica includes all of the eastern part of Libya between the 16th and 25th meridians east, including the Kufra District. The coastal region, als ...

, that comprises the Holy Suffragan Dioceses of Cyrene, Appollonia, Ptolemais, Berenice and Arsinoe, is currently a Titular title, incorporated within the jurisdiction of the metropolitan archbishop of the Holy Metropolis of Beheira Hermopolis Parva,

Buto Buto (, , ''Butu''), Bouto, Butus (, ''Boutos'')Herodotus ii. 59, 63, 155. or Butosus was a city that the Ancient Egyptians called Per-Wadjet. It was located 95 km east of Alexandria in the Nile Delta of Egypt. What in classical times the ...

Naucratis Naucratis or Naukratis (Ancient Greek: , "Naval Command"; Egyptian: , , , Coptic: ) was a city and trading-post in ancient Egypt, located on the Canopic (western-most) branch of the Nile river, south-east of the Mediterranean sea and the city ...

, Mariout Mareotis,

Marsa Matruh Mersa Matruh (), also transliterated as Marsa Matruh (Standard Arabic ''Marsā Maṭrūḥ'', ), is a port in Egypt and the capital of Matrouh Governorate. It is located west of Alexandria and east of Sallum on the main highway from the Nile Del ...

Paraetonium, Apis; who is also the

titular archbishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese. By definition, a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop, the tradition of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox an ...

and patriarchal exarch of the Ancient and Holy Titular Archdiocese of

Libya Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...

, comprising the titular suffragan dioceses of Livis,

Marmarica Marmarica (, ) in Greco-Roman geography, ancient geography was a littoral area in Ancient Libya, located between ''Cyrenaica'' and ''Egypt (Roman province), Aegyptus''. It corresponds to what is now the Libya and Egypt frontier, including the t ...

, Darnis, Neapolis and

Tripolitania Tripolitania (), historically known as the Tripoli region, is a historic region and former province of Libya. The region had been settled since antiquity, first coming to prominence as part of the Carthaginian empire. Following the defeat ...

; of the Ancient and Holy

Exarchate of Africa The Exarchate of Africa was a division of the Byzantine Empire around Carthage that encompassed its possessions on the Western Mediterranean. Ruled by an exarch (viceroy), it was established by the Emperor Maurice in 591 and survived until t ...

Tunisia Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...

, comprising the Titular and Holy Suffragan dioceses of

Mauretania Tingitana Mauretania Tingitana (Latin for "Tangerine Mauretania") was a Roman province, coinciding roughly with the northern part of present-day Morocco. The territory stretched from the northern peninsula opposite Gibraltar, to Sala Colonia (or Chellah ...

and

Mauretania Caesariensis Mauretania Caesariensis (Latin for "Caesarea, Numidia, Caesarean Mauretania") was a Roman province located in present-day Algeria. The full name refers to its capital Caesarea, Numidia, Caesarea Mauretaniae (modern Cherchell). The province had ...

and of the Ancient and Holy Titular Metropolis of Numedia in

Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...

and

Morocco Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to Algeria–Morocc ...

that includes the Titular and Holy Suffragan dioceses of

Leptis Parva Leptis or Lepcis Parva was a Phoenician colony and Carthaginian and Roman port on Africa's Mediterranean coast, corresponding to the modern town Lemta, just south of Monastir, Tunisia. In antiquity, it was one of the wealthiest cities in the ...

and of Hadramentum. Accordingly, that honor goes to the Hierarch of the

Metropolis A metropolis () is a large city or conurbation which is a significant economic, political, and cultural area for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections, commerce, and communications. A big city b ...

of Lycopolis, Hieracon and Apollonopolis Parva apart from the fact of the current adoption of the seniority of the date of consecration of the later hierarch. The most senior bishop in consecration will become the

Locum tenens A locum, or locum tenens, is a person who temporarily fulfills the duties of another; the term is especially used for physicians or clergy. For example, a ''locum tenens physician'' is a physician who works in the place of the regular physician. ...

in case of the death of the pope and until the election of the new pope, and he will be the one who enthrones the newly elected

along with all the hierarchs, who are members of the Holy Synod. This seniority ranking system does not diminish the importance and the greatness of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem and All the Near East, since its inclusion under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic

in early medieval times. The archiepiscopal status of this great metropolis is also granted due to the Holy Apostolic Throne that it represents, being the Apostolic and Patriarchal Throne of Jerusalem, although its metropolitan archbishop does not claim that title and is under the jurisdiction of the Holy Apostolic Throne of

Alexandria Alexandria ( ; ) is the List of cities and towns in Egypt#Largest cities, second largest city in Egypt and the List of coastal settlements of the Mediterranean Sea, largest city on the Mediterranean coast. It lies at the western edge of the Nile ...

Gallery

A Gallery of the Coptic Holy Synod of Egypt (All Coptic Bishops)
(external link)

In order of date of consecration in Arabic and English (external link)

Chair and members of the Synod

Pontiff

Chairman of The Synod 1)

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria Pope Tawadros II (born 4 November 1952 ) is the 118th and current Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, succeeding the late Pope Shenouda III as leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He took office on 18 Nov ...

* Pope and Lord Archbishop of the Great and Holy Metropolitan Archdiocese of Alexandria ( Rhakotis), being: **The metropolitan of the Holy, Great and Ancient Metropolitan Archdiocese of

( Rhakotis), comprising: ***The Great and Ancient Metropolis of

, which includes: ****The Titular and Holy

Suffragan Diocese A suffragan diocese is one of the dioceses other than the metropolitan archdiocese that constitute an ecclesiastical province. It exists in some Christian denominations, in particular the Catholic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandr ...

Canopus Canopus is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina (constellation), Carina and the list of brightest stars, second-brightest star in the night sky. It is also Bayer designation, designated α Carinae, which is Rom ...

( Aboukir). ****The Titular and Holy Suffragan Diocese of

Menelaus In Greek mythology, Menelaus (; ) was a Greek king of Mycenaean (pre- Dorian) Sparta. According to the ''Iliad'', the Trojan war began as a result of Menelaus's wife, Helen, fleeing to Troy with the Trojan prince Paris. Menelaus was a central ...

. ****The Titular and Holy Suffragan Diocese of Schedia. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of El-Montazah District. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of the Western District **The metropolitan of the Metropolitan Province of Greater

Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...

comprising: ***The Holy Archdiocese of Cairo ( Augustamnica Ægypti), which includes: ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of East of the Railroad District in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Dar El Salam (Irinipolis) in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Central (Down Town) Cairo and of Heliopolis in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Ezbet El Nakhl in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of

Old Cairo Old Cairo (, Egyptian pronunciation: Maṣr El-ʾAdīma) is a historic area in Cairo, Egypt, which includes the site of a Babylon Fortress, Roman-era fortress, the Christian settlement of Coptic Cairo, and the Muslim-era settlement of Fustat that ...

(

Babylon Babylon ( ) was an ancient city located on the lower Euphrates river in southern Mesopotamia, within modern-day Hillah, Iraq, about south of modern-day Baghdad. Babylon functioned as the main cultural and political centre of the Akkadian-s ...

), Manial and Fum El Khalig in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of El-Mokattam Mountain in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Northern & Southern Shoubra in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Hadayek El-Kobba, El-Wailly & Mansheyat El-Sadr in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of El-Hagana & Almaza in Cairo. ****The Holy Suffragan Diocese of Ain Shams & El-Matareya in Cairo. **The

of the Archdiocese of North America, which includes: ***The Holy Suffragan Diocese of

and all

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

, USA * Elder and chief metropolitan archbishop of all the Egyptian

Province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...

s. *

Primate Primates is an order (biology), order of mammals, which is further divided into the Strepsirrhini, strepsirrhines, which include lemurs, galagos, and Lorisidae, lorisids; and the Haplorhini, haplorhines, which include Tarsiiformes, tarsiers a ...

of all

Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...

Nubia Nubia (, Nobiin language, Nobiin: , ) is a region along the Nile river encompassing the area between the confluence of the Blue Nile, Blue and White Nile, White Niles (in Khartoum in central Sudan), and the Cataracts of the Nile, first cataract ...

and the

Sudan Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa. It borders the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Libya to the northwest, Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Eritrea and Ethiopi ...

. * Patriarch of All Africa on the

Throne A throne is the seat of state of a potentate or dignitary, especially the seat occupied by a sovereign (or viceroy A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory ...

of the

Apostolic See An apostolic see is an episcopal see whose foundation is attributed to one or more of the apostles of Jesus or to one of their close associates. In Catholicism, the phrase "The Apostolic See" when capitalized refers specifically to the See of ...

of St. Mark the Evangelist, the Holy Apostle and

Martyr A martyr (, ''mártys'', 'witness' Word stem, stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an external party. In ...

Metropolitan archbishops of the throne and metropolitan bishops of the throne

Antonius Antonius is a masculine given name, as well as a surname. Antonius is a Danish language, Danish, Dutch language, Dutch, Finnish language, Finnish, Latin language, Latin, Norwegian language, Norwegian, and Swedish language, Swedish name used in Gre ...

, most senior and elder metropolitan archbishop of the Holy and Great City of Our Lord, Jerusalem (Holy Zion); Archbishop of the Holy and Ancient Archdiocese of Jerusalem, all Palestine and the Near East comprising: *The Holy

of Philadelphia of Jordan. *The Holy

Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...

and Greater Mesopotamia, comprising

Syria Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...

, Iraq & Kuwait. 3) Wissa of El Balyana, Wissa (Besa), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of el-Balyana (Abydos, Egypt, Abydos), comprising: *The Holy

of Berdis. *The Holy

of Awlad Tookh and its jurisdictions. 4) Metropolitan Paphnutius of Samalut, Paphnutius, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Samalut and Taha El Aameda. 5) Benyamin (Benjamin), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Al Minufiyah Governorate, Al Minufiyah (Al Minufiyah Governorate, Prosopolis). 6) Tadros (Theodoros), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Port Said (Pelusium). Being also the titular bishop of: *The Titular and Holy

of (Tahpanhes). *The Titular and Holy

of (Phacusa). *The Titular and Holy

of (Farama). 7) Serapion (Coptic bishop of Los Angeles) , Serapion, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, Los Angeles, all Southern California and Hawaii, USA. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Barstow, California, United States. 8) Paula (Paul), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Tanta. 9) Pissada, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Akhmim (Panopolis), Saqualta and the Holy Monasteries of Mount Akhmim in Upper Egypt. 10) Andrawis (Andrew), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Abutig, Sedfa and el Ghanayem. 11) Ashe’yia (Isaiah), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Tahta, Juhayna and Gabalein (Aphroditopolis & Hispis (Pathyris)) 12) Markos (Mark), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Shubra el-Kheima. 13) Abram, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Faiyum. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Archangel Gabriel in the Naqloun Mountain, Central Egypt. 14) Antonious Markos (Anthony Mark), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of South Africa and its jurisdictions. 15) Barsoum (Parsoma), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Dairut and Sanabou. 16) Demetrios, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Mallawi, comprising the following: *The Holy

of Ansena (Antinoopolis). *The Holy

of El Ashmunein (Hermopolis Magna). Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Fana, Upper Egypt. 17) Bakhoum (Pachomius), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Sohag (Athribis (Upper Egypt), Athribis), comprising the following: *The Holy

of el-Mansha (Ptolemais Hermiou). *The Holy

of el-Maragha. 18) Thomas, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of el-Qusiya (Cusae, Qis) and Meir, Egypt, Meir. 19) Daniel, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Maadi & El-Basateen, 20) Cheroubim (Cherubim), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Qena, comprising the Holy

of Qift (Coptos) and its jurisdictions 21) Pimen, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Naqada, Naqada (Ombos), comprising the Holy

of Qus ( Apollonopolis Parva). 22) Takla (Thekla), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Dishna, Egypt, Dishna, comprising the Holy

of Dendera (Tentyris) and its jurisdictions. 23) Maximos, metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Banha (Leontopolis), comprising the Holy

of Quouwaysena (Athribis). 24) Youssef (Joseph), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, Southern United States. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and Saint Moses the Strong in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA and the abbot of the Convent of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and Saint Demiana in Dawsonville, Georgia, USA.

Diocesan bishops of the throne

25) Ammonios (Amon), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Luxor (Thebes, Egypt, Diospolis Magna), comprising the following: *The Holy

of Esna (Latopolis). *The Holy

of Armant (Hermonthis). *The Holy

of Edfu (Apollonopolis Magna). Being also titular bishop of: *The Titular and Holy

of Coptos (Apollonopolis Parva (Coptos), Maximianopolis). *The Titular and Holy

of (Eileithyiaspolis). *The Titular and Holy

of Qus (Apollonopolis Parva (Coptos), Apollonopolis Parva). (Currently relieved from eparchial shepherding). 26) Bishop Missael, Missael, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Birmingham, all of the Diocese of the Midlands, Midlands and its affiliated regions, United Kingdom. 27) Matthias, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of El-Mahalla El-Kubra and Samanoud (Sebennytos). (Currently relieved from eparchial shepherding) 28) Youannes (John), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of

( Lycopolis), comprising: *The Titular and Holy

of ( Hieracon). *The Titular and Holy

of (Hierakonopolis). *The Titular and Holy

of ( Apollonopolis Parva), and General Secretary of the Holy Synod. 29) Sarapamon (Serapis Amon), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Atbara, Omdurman and all the North of the

; comprising the Holy

of Port Sudan. Being also titular bishop of: *The Great and Ancient Titular Metropolis of

, comprising: **The Titular and Holy

of (Coptic Diocese of Faras, Faras in Nobatia). **The Titular and Holy

of (Dongola in Makouria). 30) Antony, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ireland, Scotland and of all North East England, United Kingdom. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of St. Athanasius the Apostolic, United Kingdom. 31) Barnaba (Barnabas), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Torino and Southern Italy. 32) Damian, Diocesan Bishop for the Holy Diocese of Höxter, Höxter, Brenkhausen and affiliate jurisdictions. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary & St. Maurice in Höxter, Germany 33) Anba Suriel, Suriel, former diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand and patriarchal exarch of all Oceania. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Heathcote, Victoria (Australia). (Currently relieved from eparchial shepherding and appointed as an Associate Professor of Religious Education at St Athanasius and St Cyril Theological School in New Jersey, USA) 34) Gabriel, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Suef (Herakleopolis Magna) comprising the Holy

of El-Bahnasa (Oxyrhynchus). Being also titular bishop of: *The Titular and Holy

of (Nilopolis). *The Titular and Holy

of (Nilopolis, Delas). 35) Georgios (George), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Matai, Egypt, Matai (Acanthus (Egypt), Acanthus) and its jurisdictions. 36) Stephanos (Stephen), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beba, comprising the Holy

of Samasta and El Fashn. 37) Timotheos (Timothy), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Zaqaziq (Bubastis), comprising the Holy

of Menya Al Qamh (Sais). Being also titular bishop of the Titular and Holy

s of (Busiris (Lower Egypt), Busiris). 38) Angaelos, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of London. Being also the patriarchal exarch in the United Kingdom. 39) David, diocesan bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England, Holy Diocese of New York and New England and all Northeastern states of the United States of America. 40) Gabriel, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Vienna and all Austria. Being also abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Obersiebenbrunn. 41) Ilia (Elijah), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Khartoum and all the South of the

; being also titular bishop of the Titular and Holy

of (Soba (city), Soba in Aloudia, Alodia). 42) Seraphim, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ismailia (Pithom, Heroonopolis) and titular bishop of the Titular and Holy

of (Pithom). 43) Apollo, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of El-Tor (El-Tor, Raithu) and all Janub Sina' Governorate, South Sinai, comprising the Holy

of Sharm El Sheikh. 44) Aghathon, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Maghagha, comprising the Holy

of El Idwa. 45) Kosman (Cosmas), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Arish (Rhinocorura) and all Shamal Sina' Governorate, North Sinai, comprising the following: *The Holy

of Al Qantarah esh Sharqiya, El Qantarah. *The Holy

of Rafah (Rafia). 46) Daniel, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Sydney, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia. 47) Macarios, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Minya, Egypt, Minya & affiliate jurisdictions. 48) Apakir (Apa Cyrrhus), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Stockholm and of all Scandinavia. 49) Aghathon, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of São Paulo and of all Brazil. 50) Youssef (Joseph), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz and of all Bolivia. 51) Theodosios, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Central Giza (Memphis, Egypt, Memphis) & affiliate jurisdictions. 52) Salib (Pistavros), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Meit Ghamr & affiliate jurisdictions. 53) Mercurios (Mercure), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Girga (Thinis) & affiliate jurisdictions. 54) Mina (Menas), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver & all Western Canada. 55) Samuel, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tamouh, El-Badrashein, El Hawamdiah & affiliate jurisdictions. 56) Dometius, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of October City, List of ancient Egyptian sites, Ausim, Ashmoon & affiliate jurisdictions. 57) Youhanna (John), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Imbaba, El-Warraq & affiliate jurisdictions. 58) Maqar (Makarios), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ash Sharqiyah Governorate, Al Sharqiyah (Bubastis) and 10th of Ramadan City, being also the titular bishop of the Titular and Holy

s of (Thmuis), (Land of Goshen, Fakus) and of (Bishop of Tanis, Tanis). 59) Zosima (Zosimos), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Atfih (Aphroditopolis), El-Saff & affiliate jurisdictions. 60) Arsany (Arsanios), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Amsterdam and all the Netherlands & affiliate jurisdictions. 61) Pavlos (Paul), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Athens, all Greece and Cyprus 62) Luka (Luke), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Geneva (Switzerland) and France, Southern France 63) Karas (Cyrrhus), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Pennsylvania & its Affiliated Regions (Maryland, Delaware & West Virginia) (USA) 64) Markos (Mark), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Damietta (Thamiates) Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Demiana. 65) Isshak (Isaac), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tima, Egypt, Tima (Antaeopolis). 66) Bemwa (Pamouh), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Suez (Clysma). 67) Ilarion (Hilarion), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beheira & affiliate jurisdictions. 68) Marc (Mark), diocesan bishop of Paris and all Northern France 69) Peter, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of North Carolina, South Carolina & Kentucky (USA) 70) Saraphim, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ohio, Michigan & Indiana (USA) 71) Antonio, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Milan, Northern Italy. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite in Milan 72) Giovanni, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Central Europe (Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania & Slovenia) 73) Arsanius, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Wady El-Gedid (New Valley). 74) Mikhail, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Helwan and Massarah, Al Maasara (Tura (Egypt), Tura) 75) Theophilus, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Manfalut. 76) Ilarion (Hilarion), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Hurghada, Olbia (Egypt), Kosseir, & all the Red Sea 77) Boules (Paul), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ottawa, Montreal & Eastern Canada, Canada. 78) Philopateer, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abu Qurqas 79) Fam, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of East Minya 80) Joseph, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe & Malawi. 81) Axios, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Mansoura (Leontopolis) and titular bishop of the Titular and Holy Suffragan Diocese of (Mendes). Being also abbot of the Monastery of Saint George at Meit Demsis, Lower Egypt. 82) Bishoy (Pishoy), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Aswan & affiliate jurisdictions. 83) Anianos, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Mazar & affiliate jurisdictions. 84) Nofer, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Shebin El Quanater, Toukh and El Khanka 85) Picenti (Pisentios), diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abnub and el Fateh & New Assiut & affiliate jurisdictions. Being also the abbot of the Monastery of St. Mina in Abnub. 86) Bedaba, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Nag Hammâdi (Nag Hammâdi, Khenoboskion) and Abu Tesht. 87) Dioscoros, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Southern Germany and abbot of the Monastery of Anthony of Egypt, Saint Anthony the Great in Kroeffelbach, Germany 88) Karas, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Matrouh & Pentapolis. 89) Boctor, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga. 90) Mina, diocesan bishop of the Holy Diocese of Borg El-Arab & El-Amreya.

Suffragan bishops of the throne

91) Michael, suffragan bishop of the Holy

of Ashburn, Virginia parts of Richmond, Virginia], USA; suffragan to the archdiocese of North America, which is currently under patriarchal jurisdiction.

Auxiliary bishops of the throne

92) Abraham (Coptic auxiliary bishop for Los Angeles), Abraham, auxiliary bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Los Angeles, auxiliary to Metropolitan bishop, Metropolitan Serapion (Coptic bishop of Los Angeles), Serapion. 93) Bishop Kyrillos, Kyrillos, auxiliary bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Los Angeles, auxiliary to Metropolitan bishop, Metropolitan Serapion (Coptic bishop of Los Angeles), Serapion. 94) Basil, auxiliary bishop for the Holy Diocese of Southern United States, auxiliary to Metropolitan bishop, Metropolitan Youssef. 95) Gregory, auxiliary bishop for the Holy Diocese of Southern United States, auxiliary to Metropolitan bishop, Metropolitan Youssef. 96) Ignatius, auxiliary bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Qena & Qift, auxiliary to Metropolitan Cheroubim

Assistant bishops of suffragan patriarchal dioceses of the throne

97) Raphael, assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Cairo, Central Cairo (Downtown) in the Holy Archdiocese of

(Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 98) Maximos, assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Dar El Salam (Irinipolis) in the Holy Archdiocese of

(Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 99) Martyros, assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of East of the Railroad Region in the Holy Archdiocese of

(Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 100) Youlyous (Julius), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of

(

), Manial and Fum El Khalig in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope and administrator of the Bishopric of Social Services 101) Abanoub (Abba Noub), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Mokattam in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 102) Makary (Makarios), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Southern Shoubra in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 103) Angelos, assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Northern Shoubra in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 104) Pavly (Paul), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of El-Montazah District in the Holy Archdiocese of

( Rhakotis), assistant to the pope. 105) Klemandos (Clement), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of El-Hagana & Almaza in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope. 106) Hermina (Hermion), assistant bishop for the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of the Central & Eastern Districts in the Holy Archdiocese of

( Rhakotis), assistant to the pope. 107) Sidaros, assistant bishop of the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Ezbet El Nakhl & El-Marg in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope 108) Oulogious, assistant bishop of the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Ain Shams, Matariyeh & Helmiyet El-Zeitoun in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope 109) Athanasius, assistant bishop of the patriarchal Suffragan Holy Diocese of Hadayek El-Kobba, El-Wailly & Mansheyat El-Sadr in the Holy Archdiocese of Cairo (Arcadia Ægypti), assistant to the pope

Patriarchal exarchs and vicars of the throne

110) Macarios, Exarch, patriarchal exarch of the Eritrean Congregation in the USA. Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod. 111) Pavlos (Paul), Exarch, patriarchal exarch, in the capacity of a Missionary Bishop for the Exarchate of Evangelism & Mission in East Africa, East and Central Africa. 112) Youssab (Joseph), Vicar, patriarchal vicar for the Holy Diocese of Luxor (Thebes, Egypt, Diospolis Magna), assistant to the pope. 113) Youakim (Joachim), Vicar, patriarchal vicar for the Holy Diocese of Esna (Latopolis) and Armant (Hermonthis), assistant to the pope. 114) Reweis, Exarch, patriarchal exarch, in the capacity of a Missionary Bishop for the churches in Southeast Asia, and administrator of the Diocese of Melbourne & affiliated regions, assistant to the pope. 115) Ignatius, Vicar, patriarchal vicar for the Holy Diocese of El-Mahalla El-Kubra and Samanoud, assistant to the pope. 116) Archilidis, Exarch, patriarchal exarch in Toronto, Canada for the Archdiocese of North America. 117) Gabriel, Exarch, patriarchal exarch in Cedar Grove, New Jersey for the Archdiocese of North America.

Bishop abbots of the Holy and Sacred Monasteries of the throne

118) Mattaos (Matthew), bishop and abbot of the Syrian Monastery, Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, known as the Syrian Monastery, in Scetes, Lower Egypt. 119) Basilios (Basil), bishop and abbot of the Samuel the Confessor, Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor, in El Qualamon Mountain, Upper Egypt. 120) Yustos (Justus), bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great, in the Eastern Desert. 121) Isithoros (Isidore), bishop and abbot of the Paromeos Monastery, Monastery of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, known as the Paromeos Monastery, Paromeos (Roman) Monastery, in Scetes, Lower Egypt. 122) Kyrillos (Cyril), bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Mina, in the Desert of Mariut ( Mareotis), Lower Egypt. 123) Mina (Menas), bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint George in El Khatatba, Central Egypt. 124) Daniel, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite, in the Eastern Desert. 125) Daniel, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Shenouda the Archimandrite, St. Shenouda the Archimandrite, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 126) Oulogios (Evlogios), bishop and abbot of the White Monastery, Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite in Sohag, Upper Egypt. 127) Pigol, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of the Deir el-Muharraq, Most Holy Virgin Mary, known as Deir el-Muharraq, Al Muharraq Monastery, Upper Egypt 128) Saweros (Severus), bishop and abbot of the Monasteries of St Thomas & Mar Boctor in El-Khatatba, Central Egypt. 129) Mettaous, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary in Akhmim, Upper Egypt 130) Aghapius, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Scetes, Lower Egypt. 131) Arsanious, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Pachomius the Cenobite in Edfu, Upper Egypt. 132) Dioscoros, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint John the Short - Alamein 133) Thomas, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of St Mary & Archangel Michael in El Bahnasa, Upper Egypt. 134) Ikladios, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of St Pakhomios (El-shayeb) in Luxor, Upper Egypt. 135) Pakhomius, bishop and abbot of the Monastery of St Macarius of Alexandria in Mount Al-Qalali, Beheira Governorate

General bishops of the throne

136) Youhanna (John), general bishop and Patriarchal Emissary at large in USA.

General bishops administrators of the bishoprics of the throne

137) Moussa (Moses), general bishop and administrator for the Bishopric of Youth Affairs. 138) Dioscoros, general bishop and administrator of the Patriarchal Print Shop. 139) Botros (Peter), general bishop for the Patriarchal Media (Head of Aghapy TV Channel). 140) Armiah (Jeremiah), general bishop and chief of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center.

Patriarchal vicar in Alexandria

141) Hegumen Abraam Emil, Oeconomus, Grand Economos and Patriarchal Vicar, patriarchal vicar in

Patriarchal vicar in Cairo

142) Hegumen Sergios Sergios, Administrative Patriarchal Vicar, administrative patriarchal vicar in

Vacant metropolis/diocese/abbey

1) (Vacant), bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint George in El Rozaiquat, Central Egypt. 2) (Vacant), patriarchal exarch of the Eritrean Congregation in the UK and Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod. (Vacant after the departure of Bishop Markos on April 29, 2017) 3) (Vacant), bishop and abbot of the Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great in Scetes, Lower Egypt. (Vacant after the martyrdom of Bishop Epiphanios on July 29, 2018) 4) (Vacant), metropolitan bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Marseille and Primate of the Holy Metropolis of Toulon and of all France, that is The French Coptic Orthodox Church. (Vacant after the departure of Metropolitan Athanasius on October 22, 2023)

Definition of hierarchical titles according to the Alexandrine Tradition

Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria

Pontiff and Supreme Hierarch of the Holy Orthodox & Apostolic Throne of Alexandria. He is considered First among equals (primus inter pares) on his Apostolic See, Apostolic Throne. He presides over the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and over all Patriarchal Institutions. He is also the Head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He consecrates, crowns and enthrones patriarchs and catholicoi (within his Dominion/Jurisdiction in Africa). He consecrates and crowns archbishops, metropolitans and Bishops, and delegates several metropolitans and Bishops to enthrone them. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons, all minor orders, all ranks of monastics, elevates Bishops to the metropolitan, the archiepiscopal or the patriarchal dignity. He consecrates the Holy Myron. He also bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the monastics who have achieved the highest degree of asceticism in monastic life or upon those who are to be ordained to the episcopal rank. He anoints, crowns and enthrones Orthodox Emperors and Empresses, Orthodox Kings and Queens. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments. He has the First and the Highest Rank of the Episcopal Dignity of the Holy Apostolic Throne of Alexandria. He is the Primate of the second highest Apostolic Throne, in accordance with the Canon Laws of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325 AD), after Imperial Rome. The Throne of Alexandria later became third in rank, after the Imperial Cities of Rome and Constantinople, New Rome, in accordance with the Canon Laws of the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381AD).

Metropolitan archbishops and metropolitan bishops

Administrative title of the episcopal rank for a large diocese or eparchy, bestowed upon a diocesan bishop by the patriarch, in recognition for his long service in his diocese/eparchy. It can also be granted due to the extended size of a diocese or an eparchy (by becoming an archdiocese or an archeparchy,) thus forming or is considered as an ecclesiastical province, which requires its prelate to be elevated to the metropolitan /archiepiscopal dignity. The higher title of metropolitan bishop/metropolitan archbishop is granted to the bishop of the metropolis. He may oversee several suffragan bishops (to each his own diocese) within his province, auxiliary bishops (assistant to the hierarch) and/or chori-episcopoi, under his jurisdiction. The title of metropolitan archbishop is granted to the hierarch of the metropolis that has a historical dignity within the throne, and whose bishop ought to have the honorary dignity of a metropolitan archbishop, like metropolitan archbishop of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem, All

and Philadelphia of Jordan and Exarch, patriarchal exarch of all the

and the metropolitan archbishop and patriarchal exarch of the Ancient Archdiocese of

in (

), comprising the

s of: ( Cyrene), ( Appollonia),( Ptolemais), ( Berenice) and ( Arsinoe), who is also the metropolitan archbishop and patriarchal exarch of the Ancient Archdiocese of

, comprising the

s of: ( Livis,

, Darnis and

). He is called metropolitan in his own diocesan city, the metropolis and is called archbishop in all the other

s, whose suffragan bishops are under his jurisdiction. Whereas, the metropolitan bishop is called metropolitan in his own Diocesan City with its jurisdictions, which as a whole is considered a metropolis, according to the jurisdictional subdivision of the Church, and he may have assistant bishops or auxiliary bishops under his jurisdiction, but does not have

s, headed by suffragan bishops, under his jurisdiction. He assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes in his diocese or eparchy. He bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the monastics who have achieved the highest degree of monastic life or upon those who are to be ordained to the episcopal rank and ordain novices to the monastic rank for the monasteries under his jurisdiction. He assists the patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries and holy vessels and vestments in his diocese or eparchy. He exercises the same authority in his metropolis and its jurisdiction as the patriarch on his throne. He can also be the abbot of a monastery, if assigned by the patriarch. In the case of the departure of the patriarch, the senior metropolitan in ordination, acts as Locum Tenens of the throne, until the election of the new patriarch, whom he will enthrone, along with the entire body of the hierarchy of the throne. During that time, no ordination of new hierarchs, no consecration of the Holy Myron, no new patriarchal decrees or alteration of previous patriarchal or Holy Synod decrees can be made. He is second in rank in the episcopal dignity.

Diocesan or eparchial bishop

Hierarch chosen to oversee a diocese or an eparchy, whether this diocese or eparchy is a subdivision of the patriarchate or a subdivision of a greater province, ruled by a metropolitan archbishop (which, in this case these are called suffragan bishops.) He is the shepherd of his flock. He has the right to consecrate parishes, altars, baptisteries and all ecclesiastical foundations. He assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and Bishops. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his diocese or eparchy. He bestows the honor of the Great Schema upon the monastics who have achieved the highest degree of monastic life or upon those who are to be consecrated to the episcopal rank and ordain novices to the monastic rank for the monasteries under his jurisdiction. He assists the patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates, within his diocese or eparchy, all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments. He exercises the same authority in his diocese as the patriarch on his Throne. He can also be the abbot of a monastery, if assigned by the patriarch. He is third in rank in the episcopal dignity.

General bishop/exarch of the throne

Hierarch who does not have a jurisdiction over a particular diocese and who is given a temporary patriarchal assignment to shepherd or supervise either a particular district/portion of the patriarchal diocese or on "at large" designation as a delegate assistant to the hierarch. He can also be serving within the patriarchal diocese/Jurisdiction, shepherding multiple congregations. He can also supervise an area or a region that has not yet been designated or established as a diocese, thus acting as an exarch of the throne. In this case, he is considered as a Patriarchal Vicar, patriarchal vicar if assigned within Egypt (the Mother Church) or as a patriarchal exarch of the throne if assigned outside Egypt for certain duration. He also can be the administrator of a bishopDiocese, ric (i.e. the Youth, Social & Ecumenical Services, Scientific Research & Higher Coptic Studies Bishoprics), which are patriarchal organizations headed by a general bishop concerned with social, educational and spiritual care of the members of the patriarchate at large or of a Patriarchal Institution (the Patriarchal Print Shop, or the Patriarchal Secretariat). In this capacity, he is the administrator of this particular bishopric or Patriarchal Institution. He assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and bishops. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes with patriarchal permission within the province, which are directly under the patriarchal jurisdiction, whether within Egypt or outside Egypt, when delegated. He assists the patriarch in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries and holy vessels and vestments by patriarchal delegation. He reports directly to the patriarch. He has the same episcopal authority and dignity as a regular bishop. He can also be the abbot of a monastery, if assigned by the patriarch, and in this case he is given the title of bishop abbot, and ceases to be a general bishop or exarch of the throne. The title of general bishop is not in conformity with the Holy and Apostolic Canon Laws of the Orthodox Church. On the other hand, an exarch was and still is a permissible form of patriarchal delegation or representation.

Auxiliary bishop/assistant bishop/suffragan bishop

A suffragan hierarch who has been delegated by the patriarch or a metropolitan archbishop to serve a district or part of the patriarchal or metropolitan archdiocese or jurisdiction, or a suffragan diocese to the metropolitan archdiocese; if suffragan diocese is in question based on a quasi-permanent, occasional or as a temporal helper, then it is within patriarchal diocesan jurisdiction, although in this case, he would be called assistant bishop. He shepherds the congregation of that particular diocese (if suffragan) or district (if within the patriarchal diocese), reporting directly to the metropolitan archbishop or the pope Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, of Alexandria respectively. He can also be assigned as an assistant by the pope of Alexandria to help a metropolitan bishop in his metropolitanate, which is not divided into smaller subdivisions of suffragan dioceses, and based upon the metropolitan bishop's or the metropolitan archbishop's request, if the latter requires an assistant. In this case, he is called an assistant bishop, he reports to the diocesan hierarch, i.e. the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop. He does not, however, inherit (take over) the metropolis after the departure of the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop. In the case that this bishop is chosen as a "Coadjutor Bishop, coadjutor bishop" to a particular metropolis/archdiocese or a

of the metropolis in the capacity of Coadjutor Bishop, coadjutor bishop, in assistance to the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop, thus being second in command; then he has the right of succession when the latter reposes in the Lord. However, this form of governance is not favored and seldom applied nowadays in the Alexandrine tradition. If the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop of a large metropolis or archdiocese is in need of one or more general helpers in all kinds of services and to delegate to serve or shepherd all over the jurisdiction of the aforementioned hierarch, then the chosen bishop/s is/are called

/s to the hierarch in these capacities. The idea of having more than one bishop shepherding a particular diocese/metropolitanate/archdiocese is against the Canon Laws of the Church. This, however has been, recently, adapted and ratified by local synodical decrees, on the basis that the auxiliary bishop is assigned to a metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop within his province, for a specific district or region (being too small to be considered as a suffragan diocese), as a means for better serving the congregation of a large diocese. In this case, the large diocese is considered as a province. These auxiliary bishops are considered to the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop of the province as the bishops of the patriarchate are to the patriarch within his patriarchate. If the metropolis or the archdiocese has one or more suffragan diocese within its jurisdiction, then the appointment of suffragan bishops is a canonically accepted measure to extend the proper episcopal shepherding to this/these suffragan diocese(s). These appointments are reasoned in the following cases: *The metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop, being the Hierarch of a large region or jurisdiction, which includes many cities and their suburbs, that could be divided into more than one diocese within the metropolis and since he reserves the right to be the diocesan bishop, meaning the (Shepherd) of the main city (Metropolis (religious jurisdiction), the metropolis) of his archeparchial province, he appoints suffragan bishops for these dioceses. *Due to the age or physical health of the metropolitan bishop or the metropolitan archbishop, an auxiliary bishop is then appointed to serve a part of the metropolis /archdiocese or an assistant bishop is appointed as a general assistant to the ruling hierarch. The auxiliary bishop/suffragan bishop/assistant bishop assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and bishops. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his district, diocese or eparchy. He assists the patriarch, and all the metropolitans and all the bishops in consecrating the Holy Myron. He also consecrates all Church buildings, altars, baptisteries, holy vessels and vestments by patriarchal, archiepiscopal or metropolitan delegation. He has the same episcopal authority and dignity as a regular bishop.

Titular bishop

A hierarch, who is given the title for a defunct diocese, in commemoration of its historical status. In the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, it has been the custom to give this title to a metropolitan bishop or a metropolitan archbishop or a bishop who already shepherds an active archdiocese or

. It would be considered a part of his ecclesiastical jurisdiction; rather than having a metropolitan bishop or a metropolitan archbishop or a bishop overseeing a defunct diocese, with no real congregation of its own (i.e. Pentapolis and Nubia). He assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and bishops. He ordains archpriests, priests, archdeacons, deacons, sub-deacons and all minor orders to serve the parishes of his diocese or eparchy. (Being already a diocesan metropolitan or bishop as mentioned above). He has the same episcopal authority and dignity as any regular bishop or metropolitan (since in this case, he is in fact a diocesan bishop/metropolitan). He can also be the abbot of a monastery, if assigned by the patriarch, and in this case, he can keep his title of titular bishop, side by side with his title of bishop abbot.

Chorbishop (Chori-Episcopus)

An episcopal rank given for a hierarch of a small town or village, under the jurisdiction of a metropolitan bishop, a metropolitan archbishop or a bishop. He has the same ecclesiastical authority as that of the other hierarchs. The exception is that he is to ordain priests or deacons and all minor orders, to consecrate holy vessels, altars, baptisteries or churches only in his village or town and only with the authorization of the patriarch, if assigned within the patriarchal diocese, or that of a metropolitan bishop, a metropolitan archbishop or a bishop of the metropolis/diocese, in which his town or village is. This special patriarchal, metropolitan or episcopal permission is essential for the above-mentioned ordinations and consecrations. He cannot do the above-mentioned consecration outside his assigned jurisdiction, or even within the main diocesan cities of the province he serves in. He assists the patriarch and other hierarchs in consecrating, crowning and enthroning other patriarchs, catholicoi, archbishops, metropolitans and bishops by episcopal permission of the ruling hierarch of the provincial diocese or eparchy, in which he is serving. He also has no jurisdiction over the priests or archpriests of the major or capital cities within the province where his town or village is located. He has the same episcopal authority and dignity as the diocesan bishop, including the above-mentioned authorities with permission. He can also be the abbot of a monastery, if assigned by the patriarch.

References

External links

The Coptic Pope website

theholysynod.copticpope.org
*[http://www.lacopts.org/ Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles
Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United StatesCoptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North AmericaCoptic Orthodox Diocese of Los AngelesCoptic Orthodox Diocese of DamiettaCoptic Orthodox Diocese of Port SaidCoptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.The Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of JerusalemCoptic Documents of the Holy Synod in French
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holy Synod Of The Coptic Orthodox Church Coptic Orthodox Church Coptic Orthodox bishops, * Governing assemblies of religious organizations, Coptic