Holy Mysteries
How are converts received into the Coptic Orthodox Church?
The Mystery At The Center Of Receiving Converts
Converts are received through catechesis, pastoral guidance, and the sacraments appointed by the Church. The exact path depends on the person's background, previous baptism, present faith, and diocesan direction. The priest guides the process and, when needed, consults the bishop.
Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
What The Process Usually Includes
The person begins by attending the services, meeting with the priest, learning the faith through catechism, and beginning a life of prayer and repentance. Reception may involve baptism and chrismation, chrismation after a recognized baptism, confession of faith, or another pastoral direction according to the Church's judgment.
Why The Church Does Not Use One Public Formula For Every Case
Two people can have very different histories even if both say, "I was baptized before." The Church needs to know what happened, in whose name the baptism was done, what faith was confessed, and how the person is now being formed. That discernment belongs to the Church's shepherds, not to private guesswork.
See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?
A Good First Step
Tell the priest plainly where you are coming from and what you are seeking. Bring any baptismal information you have, but do not worry if you do not know every detail yet. The path into the Church should be serious, patient, and personal.
- Entering the Coptic Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on reception into the Church and the need for priestly guidance.
- Baptism in Other Churches, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on baptismal reception questions and why individual cases belong under priestly and diocesan guidance.
- The Sacrament of Baptism, Part One, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Doctrine and theology article on baptism as new birth, washing, and union with Christ.
- Rituals of the Sacraments, Servants Preparation Program, SUSCopts. Servants-prep lesson on the rites of Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Repentance and Confession, Unction, Matrimony, and Priesthood.
- The Seven Sacraments, Servants Preparation Program, SUSCopts. Doctrine lesson explaining the sacraments as visible mysteries through which the faithful receive grace.
Catechesis: The Church's ordered teaching and formation in faith, worship, repentance, doctrine, and sacramental life.
Sacrament: A visible mystery through which God gives grace to His people. In Coptic usage the sacraments belong to the whole healing life of the Church.
Baptism: The sacrament of new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, joining a person to Christ's death and resurrection and to the life of the Church.
Bishop: A successor in the apostolic ministry who shepherds the Church, ordains clergy, guards the faith, and presides in the unity of the local Church.
Chrismation: The anointing with holy Myron after Baptism, sealing the newly baptized with the gift and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.