Is Pope Tawadros a Moalem?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
No, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II is not a Moalem.
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the title "Moalem" (meaning "Teacher" or "Master") refers specifically to a Master Cantor. A Moalem is a layman (typically an archdeacon or head of the deacons) who has achieved the highest level of mastery in the oral tradition of Coptic hymnology, melodies, and the rites of the Church. Most professional Moalemeen are graduates of the St. Didymus Institute for Cantors in Cairo.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II holds the highest ecclesiastical rank in the Church as the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. While the Pope is the "Supreme Teacher" of the faith in a theological and dogmatic sense, and while he certainly participates in and leads the chanting during the Divine Liturgy, he is a member of the Clergy (High Priesthood), not the class of professional cantors.
The distinction between the Clergy and the Moalemeen is important:
- The Clergy (Patriarch, Bishops, Priests): Their role is sacramental, pastoral, and authoritative. They preside over the Mysteries.
- The Moalemeen (Cantors): Their specific vocation is to preserve the traditional melodies and hymns of the Church and to lead the congregation and deacons in them.
Currently, the leading authorities who hold the title of Moalem and are recognized for their mastery and teaching of the hymns include:
- Moalem Ibrahim Ayad
- Moalem Gad Lewis
- Moalem Zaher Andrawes
- Moalem George Mikhail
- Moalem Mina Makar
- Moalem Milad Nady
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II oversees the entire Church, including the institutes where these Moalemeen are trained, but his role is that of the Chief Shepherd and Successor of St. Mark the Apostle.