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Questions & Answers

Bishop

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › The Church › Bishop

The question

As a bishop, what is your role in the Coptic Orthodox community?

The answer

The word "bishop" means "overseer". The word is derived from the Greek, "episkopos", 'epi' meaning over, above, or outer, and 'skopos', as in 'scope', means to see. My role as a bishop is to oversee the diocese to which I was entrusted as a delegate of the Patriarchate. I am a member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. I meet with other bishops, metropolitans, and the pope to discuss all church policies and enforce the dogma, doctrine, and rites of the church in this diocese and in the diaspora. We are one hand praying and serving God together. I ordain and supervise priests and other liturgical and ecclesiastical orders, such as deacons. I establish churches, monasteries, convents, seminaries, and other services for the spiritual development of the flock and the church in this diocese. I consecrate monks and nuns, and also appoint sisters, deaconesses, and stewards for specific ministries in the church. I must teach and protect the doctrine of the church and guard her from all heresies (1 Timothy 6).

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1851 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.