The answer
The souls of the righteous who have reposed abide in divine light and in a state of sublime contentment, having a foretaste of eternal joy. The souls of the wicked abide in a state of bitterness.
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty · Catechism · 1396
Faith Q&A › Catechism › 4. The Two Comings and the Rapture
What is the state of the soul in the period between her departure from the body and the day of the resurrection?
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volumes 1 and 2, Books 1–7. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.