Who is the priest in the Holy Synod?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod is the highest legislative and executive authority. By its nature and canonical definition, it is a council of Bishops.
1. Membership of the Holy Synod
The Holy Synod is composed exclusively of the following ranks:
- The Pope of Alexandria, who is the President of the Synod.
- Metropolitans.
- Bishops, including Diocesan Bishops, General Bishops, and Auxiliary Bishops.
- Chorbishops (a rank rarely used today but canonically part of the episcopal order).
Priests are not members of the Holy Synod. While a priest may serve as a secretary or a legal advisor to a specific committee if requested, they do not have a seat or a vote in the proceedings of the Synod. The Synod is the assembly of the "Successors of the Apostles," which is the Episcopacy.
2. The Role of the Secretary
The Secretary of the Holy Synod is always a Bishop or Metropolitan. For example, the current Secretary is H.G. Bishop Gregory, Bishop of Central Cairo. Previously, this role was held by other notable bishops such as H.G. Bishop Thomas or H.G. Bishop Raphael.
3. Comparison with Other Denominations
Unlike some Protestant denominations or smaller "independent" groups where laypeople or local pastors might sit on a governing board with equal authority to a leader, the Coptic Orthodox Church maintains the apostolic order. The Priest is the head of the local church community under the authority of his Bishop, but the governance of the entire Church of Alexandria is reserved for the Bishops in Synod.
4. Commemoration in the Liturgy
In every Divine Liturgy, we pray for the members of the Holy Synod in the Litany of the Fathers. We pray for:
- Our Father the Patriarch, Pope Abba Tawadros II.
- Our Father the Bishop (mentioning the local Bishop by name, such as H.G. Bishop Kyrillos).
- The "Orthodox Bishops, Higumens, and Priests" in order of their rank.
If someone is a Priest, they serve the Church with great honor and authority to perform the Mysteries, but they do not participate in the legislative sessions of the Holy Synod.