The answer
The custom and tradition in the Old Testament was that men generally had long hair and beards. Cropped hair and beardless faces of men became integrated in the fashion culture through pagan influences. The Roman Catholic clergy and Protestant pastors also adopted this modern look as well. In our Coptic culture, beards became associated with certain sects known in the Middle Eastern customs and was disapproved primarily by the family who did not want their young men to inconspicuously misrepresent their identity. The Church never took a stand to forbid laymen to have beards. If a person is forbidden from partaking of the Holy Eucharist merely because of having a beard, that person should speak directly with that priest and politely ask for an explanation. The reason may be for lack of obedience rather than for the beard itself.Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)