Pope Tawadros: Marriage prayers allowed at churches, homes with 6 invitees only

CAIRO – 1 May 2020: Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the see of Saint Mark, his Holiness Pope Tawadros II, decided to allow marriage prayers, known as “sacrament of marriage,” to take place in churches and homes during the Holy Fifties period, while setting a condition for the number of the attendees.

The Coptic Church said in an official statement that the newlyweds will write a declaration that the attendees should not exceed six with one priest and one deacon; all the precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 spread should be taken.

The Coptic Church had decided to continue suspending all prayers at churches, including the prayers of the Holy Week, and to postpone the ritual of preparing the Holy Oil of Meron - one of the seven sacraments of the Church - an event of ecclesiastical, historical, and pastoral significance that the Pope performs with all the bishops, and bishops of the Holy Synod.

The church also assured that the funerals will be limited to the family of the deceased person.

The church also decided to stop the prayers of the wreaths, until the situation stabilizes, and the priests continue to follow the pastoral work of families, especially the special cases via social media.

The church decided to stop the advent wreath prayers, while priests to continue to follow the pastoral work.