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Apparitions

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › St. Mary and the Saints › Apparitions

The question

Do we as Coptic Orthodox Christians believe in the apparition of Fatima and do we think that it was really the Virgin Mary? If yes, does that mean that everything that was said, for example, worshipping her sacred heart and praying the rosary to go to heaven is true? And if no, does that mean that the Catholic Church venerates a demonic apparitions or an illusion that was started by a boy and two girls?

The answer

We are not in an official position of determining the validity of these apparitions because we were not invited to investigate these incidences. When there are claims of apparitions or miracles occurring in the Coptic Orthodox community, delegates appointed by the Holy Synod thoroughly inspect, evaluate, and report on their findings. The Catholic Church's teaching of praying to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or Mary, praying the rosary, or wearing the scapular according to the alleged messages obtained from these apparitions are not accepted in our Church. Even if the apparitions did occur, we do not accept the messages based on our theological doctrine that contradicts claims such as these. 

For more on the theological differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, please read: 
https://suscopts.org/resources/literature/orthodox-faith/difference-between-catholicism-and-orthodoxy/

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 2402 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.