Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales
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The Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales has two churches in Wales. The first is in South Wales and the other in North Wales.
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[edit] Historical background
[edit] Missionary work of the Church of Alexandria (3rd and 4th centuries)
It is known in the ecclesiastical history of the Church of Alexandria that the Church had sent missionaries in the 3rd or 4th century to the Celtic lands, especially monastics.
It is also known within the Celtic tradition, especially in Ireland, that the foundation of the monastic system among the Celts was either based in portion on or inspired by the Egyptian monastic system and there are many traces of Alexandrine theology embedded in Celtic theology. And so, the return of the Church of Alexandria to these lands is of certain importance.
[edit] Modern presence
Although the Coptic Orthodox congregation has been present in Wales since the 1960s, the first Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was consecrated in 1992 by HH Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in the town of Risca, South Wales.
Currently there are two Coptic Orthodox Churches in Wales.
[edit] St Mary and St Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church
The first Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was consecrated in 1992 by HH Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in the town of Risca, South Wales, as a church of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The official name of the church is St Mary's and St Abu Saifain's Coptic Orthodox Church.
The Church building was a Former Wesleyan Methodist church. Founded in 1837, it was rebuilt on same site on 1852 and dedicated to St John. Architect not known, the church was designed to seat 600.
The parish was later known as Trinity Methodist Church. [1]
The church is a listed historic building (Grade II) for its well preserved architectural interest, its unusual slender arcades and especially for its fine decorative frontage.
The interior was partly converted to Coptic Orthodox liturgical use. Unusual aisled roof structure, wooden trusses rising from posts set on the very tall slender marbled columns with Corinthian derived capitals, which also support the high round arches of a wooden arcade; painted boarded ceiling. Wide moulded reredos arch and gallery. Rear raked gallery with curved and panelled front; pews on both floors retained. Vestibule has glazed panels to partition and swing doors with quarry glazing incorporating Art Nouveau motifs.
The current Priest is Father Philopater Wahba
This Church is under the direct supervision of HH Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and he is the head of the Church's council. The Church is regularly visited and supervised by His Grace Angaelos, the General Bishop.
[edit] Saint Mary and Saint Abasikhiron Coptic Orthodox Church
The second Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was bought in 2005 [2] as Coptic Orthodox services began there later that year. [3]
Currently it does not have its own Priest, therefore the mass is held there on Saturdays by a visiting priest, Father Bishoy, from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Manchester.
Address: 25 Trinity Avenue, Llandudno, North Wales.
The church was consecrated by Pope Shenouda III during a visit to the UK on Saturday 29 March 2008[4].
[edit] See also
- Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
- St Mary and St Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church
- Copts
- Patriarch of Alexandria
- Coptic Orthodox Church in UK
- Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria
- The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
- Oriental Orthodoxy
- Egypt
[edit] References
- ^ Jones A V, Risca, its Industrial and Social Development, 1977
- ^ ElKeraza English with the news of buying the church , 33rd year, 11 February 2005, issues 5 and 6 Page 7
- ^ ElKeraza English with the news of buying the church 33rd year 11 February 2005 issues 5 and 6 Page 7
- ^ North West Police News
http://www.copticpope.org/downloads/eng_keraza/engkeraza11-02-2005.pdf
