The answer
I am very glad to hear that you are accepting the Coptic Orthodox faith on its own merit and not just for the sake of marriage. Your convictions in the faith will be of great strength for you and your future husband, your children in the future, and your entire household. It is important to read the Holy Scriptures together and individually, enjoy talks about spiritual things together, and attend as many church services and functions as you can. Thus, the church will become a major part of your lives. We cannot function without it. The church must also be in our homes. Invite the church priest, your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors for a monthly Holy Bible Study and construct your family and your home into a small church and a house of angels.
"Comparative Theology" by H. H. Pope Shenouda III is a very good resource especially for those converting from a Protestant background. The Baptist Church is known to be biblically inclined, but you will find that the Coptic Orthodox Church is far more enriching because it takes in all of the Holy Scriptures, not only specific verses, and is also inclusive of the Holy Books known as the Deuterocanonical Books.
"Introduction to the Coptic Church" by the Rev. Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty is also another great source to use for understanding the church's history through a quick synopsis of various eras of the Coptic Orthodox Church, its miraculous perseverance from its inception and until now, and its many significant contributions of faith, sound doctrine, the Divine Liturgies, and the saints of their time who helped sustain the church by their prayers.
"How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy" by His Grace Bishop Mettaous reveals the depth and details of the Divine Liturgy. This book will help you understand the various symbols, rituals, readings, and the order of the three Divine Liturgies used in the church, so that you may fully participate and indeed benefit.
The steps into the Coptic Orthodox Church begin with faith and the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, immediately followed by Chrismation (confirmation by the anointing of the Holy Myron Oil), and then followed by partaking of the Holy Eucharist (the holy body and precious blood of Christ). The night before Holy Baptism, you will be allowed to partake of the Holy Sacrament of Confession, so that with a pure conscience you may partake of the rest of the Holy Mysteries. Confession is revealing the hindrances in your life that interfere with the maturation of your spiritual life. One must reveal indiscretions, offenses, thoughts, desires, and deeds that are incongruent with God's will and the things that are pleasing to Him. Confession is also a renewal and a cleansing since Baptism is only performed once. I encourage you to continue to search through the various literature on the Diocese website, attend conferences and conventions, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. There is time for you to be baptized before May.
There are several pre-marital conferences each year in various locations throughout the Diocese. Please visit the Diocese website for more details. It is important that each couple attend at least one of these conferences before marriage. I am sure you will both benefit.
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)