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Questions & Answers

Tradition

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

The question

Almost all Coptic Orthodox Church religions take their shoes off when they enter the church. Why is that?

The answer

It is common for people to remove their shoes upon entering churches in Coptic Orthodox monasteries. Most churches in other vicinities do not require that people

remove their shoes before entering, but many will remove their shoes in the place where they are standing inside the church and definitely before partaking of the Holy

Eucharist. The reason for this tradition is a sign of reverence and respect in the presence of God.

“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground’” (Exodus 3:5).

"Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground’” (Acts 7:33).

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 2087 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.