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The Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales consists of the Coptic Orthodox presence in Wales.
| Part of a series on the |
| Copts |
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| Culture |
| Regions |
| Denominations |
| Christianityportal |
The Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales consists of the Coptic Orthodox presence in Wales.
The ecclesiastical history of the Church of Alexandria records that the church sent missionaries, especially monastics, to the Celtic lands in the 3rd or 4th century.[ citation needed ]
Celtic tradition, especially in Ireland, suggests that the foundation of the monastic system among the Celts either partly imitated or took inspiration from the Egyptian monastic system, and that traces[ which? ] of Alexandrine theology remain embedded in Celtic theology. Thus both Coptic Christians and Celts can see the return of the Church of Alexandria to Celtia as of significance.
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 Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in the town of Risca, South Wales.
Currently there are two Coptic Orthodox churches in Wales.
The first Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was consecrated in 1992 by 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 current priest is Father Philopater Wahba.
This church is under the direct supervision of Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and he is the head of the Church's council.
The second Coptic Orthodox Church in Llandudno, Wales was bought by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands in 2005 under the supervision of Bishop Missael [1] as Coptic Orthodox services began there later that year. [2] [3]
At first the church did not have its own priest, therefore the mass was held there on Saturdays by a visiting priest, Father Bishoy, from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Manchester. Later the church had its own priest, Fr. John Saleeb.
The church was consecrated by Pope Shenouda III during a visit to the UK on Saturday 29 March 2008. [4] [5]