Has there ever been a time during the altar lots when the name of Jesus was selected?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the recorded history of the Coptic Orthodox Church, there is no official record of the paper bearing the name of "Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd" being drawn during the final Altar Lot for the selection of a Pope.

While the inclusion of this "fourth paper" is a deeply respected tradition intended to acknowledge that God may reject all the presented candidates, the Altar Lot has historically resulted in the selection of one of the three monks or bishops nominated by the synod and the people.

Examples in Recent History

1. St. Cyril VI (1959): After a period of transition and the departure of Pope Joseph II, the Church used the Altar Lot. The names of three monks were placed on the altar, and the young child drew the name of Father Mina El-Baramosy (the Solitary).
2. Pope Shenouda III (1971): Following the departure of St. Cyril VI, three candidates remained after the general election: Bishop Samuel, Bishop Shenouda (the Dean of the Theological Seminary), and Father Timothy el-Souriany. A child drew the name of Bishop Shenouda, who became the 117th Pope.
3. Pope Tawadros II (2012): From the final three (Bishop Raphael, Bishop Tawadros, and Father Raphael Ava Mina), a young boy named Bishoy drew the name of Bishop Tawadros, our current 118th Pope.

The Significance of the "Fourth Paper"

The reason the name of Jesus Christ is included is to safeguard the Church from human error or political maneuvering. It serves as a "veto" from Heaven. If that paper were to be drawn, it would be understood as a divine command for the Church to:

• Fast and pray more intensely.
• Annul the current election results.
• Begin the entire nomination and selection process over again from the start.

While it hasn't happened in modern recorded history, its presence on the Altar remains a powerful theological statement: that Christ is the Head of the Church, and the Pope is merely His vicar and a servant to the people. If the people have chosen three candidates who do not meet God's standard for that specific time, the Church trusts that the Good Shepherd would make His will known through that fourth paper.