In Egypt this weekend, the Coptic Orthodox Church will select its 118th pope. The new pope will succeed the late Shenouda III, who led the Coptic Church—a venerable and long-suffering communion, and the largest Christian church in the Middle East today—for forty years. The selection process, which is codified in Egyptian civil law, tracks ancient custom and is quite fascinating.
According to Eastern Christian practice, only monks—that is, celibate priests attached to a monastic brotherhood—may become pope. (In Eastern Christianity, parish priests, but not monks, may marry.) Candidates are nominated by clergy and lay leaders; a nominating committee of clergy and lay members vets the candidates and prepares a provisional list. There is a notice and comment period, during which an electoral committee made up of clergy and lay delegates from Coptic dioceses around the world—as well as “current and former Christian government ministers and members of the Egyptian parliament” and “Christian journalists who work for daily newspapers and are registered with the Egyptian Press Association”—considers the names presented. A final list of five to seven names is agreed on, and then the electoral committee votes. The three candidates who receive the highest number of ballots move to the final round.
As of today, the final list of three candidates is ready. The last step in the selection process will take place this coming Sunday, November 4. And here is where things get really interesting. On Sunday, the names of the three candidates will be placed in a box on the altar of the patriarchal cathedral. Following Liturgy, a blindfolded child will draw one of the names out of the box and show it to the assembled congregation: That candidate will be the new Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church. (Just to be sure nothing funny has happened, the other two names in the box will be read out as well.)
From a Western perspective, this is an unusual way to select a pope. For one thing, the extensive participation of the laity will strike Catholics as strange and perhaps dangerous. But lay involvement in papal selection really is an ancient practice. Indeed—readers, please correct me if I’m wrong—formal lay participation was the practice in Catholicism until the Middle Ages, when the College of Cardinals was given exclusive right to elect the Pope. (Of course, informal lay participation continued long after that.) The ex officio participation of Christian parliamentarians and journalists is harder to explain. Most likely, it reflects the old Ottoman millet system, in which patriarchs were both spiritual and secular leaders, expected to represent their entire communities at the sultan’s court (though Copts did not, as far as I know, constitute a millet in Ottoman times). And what about the final step, the seemingly random choice of a blindfolded child? Is that a rational way to choose a leader for the church? Ah, well. Something has to be left to God.
Mark Movsesian is Director of the Center for Law and Religion at St. John’s.
November 1st, 2012 | 11:17 am
A brief correction. You write, “In Eastern Christianity, parish priests, but not monks, may marry.” This is inaccurate. Priests may not marry. Married men may be ordained priests. The difference is small, perhaps, but substantive.
November 1st, 2012 | 1:11 pm
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November 1st, 2012 | 3:03 pm
As for the blindfolded child: the reasoning behind such a unique step is because of the purity and innocence of a young child in Christ., resembling that of an angel and that which Copts strive to be like.
November 1st, 2012 | 5:37 pm
Acts 1:23-26 (NIV)
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they *cast lots,* and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
November 1st, 2012 | 5:45 pm
There were also three 3 day fasts called before each stage of the process. This is the 2nd day of the last fast if you want to fast and pray with us.
The Orthodox way to fast is to eat less (e.g. skip breakfast, have smaller meals later) and to abstain from any food that comes from an animal (meat & dairy). Depending how strict you want to be, seafood may or may not be eaten.
November 1st, 2012 | 6:38 pm
Actually the process of choosing through casting lots is very Biblical. In fact, when the Apostles wanted to pick a replacement for Judas, they selected two candidates, prayed to God and then cast lots – leaving the choice up to God in the end.
Acts 1
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
November 1st, 2012 | 7:49 pm
Hi, when you say only monks are allowed to be elected, it is monks & bishops. I know Bishops are originally monks, but nevertheless two different positions in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Secondly as mentioned already, the reason we choose child to pick is because this way in the end it is God’s will for the said person to be Pope.
November 1st, 2012 | 10:20 pm
The “seemingly random” selection process is Biblically based. Acts Chapter 1 speaks about casting lots to choose a 12th apostle to replace Judas.
November 2nd, 2012 | 8:54 am
Some further thoughts on the Coptic election here, including discussion of several books on the Coptic papacy: http://easternchristianbooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/choosing-coptic-pope.html
November 2nd, 2012 | 12:04 pm
The laity never elected the Pope, the priests of Rome elected him and still do. The Cardinals are given a parish in Rome so they are still the priests of Rome.
November 5th, 2012 | 11:01 am
[...] Choosing a New Pope Mark Movsesian, First Thoughts In Egypt this weekend, the Coptic Orthodox Church will select its 118th pope. [...]
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