New Papal Selection Dates Announced
On 16th October 2012, H.G. Bishop Paula announced that the Holy Synod and Nominations Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church has brought forward the date the successor to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Holy See of St. Mark, will be chosen to Sunday 4th November 2012.
Various Coptic and Christian TV channels will air programs about the five Papal candidates.
There will be Divine Liturgies in the coming days with sermons from each of the five Papal candidates.
The Papal Selection Timeline:
| Wed 17 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Bishoy’s Monastery (sermon by H.G. Bishop Tawadrous) | |
| Fri 19 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Alexandria (sermon by Fr. Seraphim El-Souriani) | |
| Sat 20 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Monastery (the three monks participating only) | |
| Sun 21 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church, Maadi | |
| Mon 22 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Mark’s Church, Azbakiya (sermon by Fr. Rafael Avva Mina) | |
| Tue 23 October | Divine Liturgy at the Metropolis of Damanhour (sermon by H.G. Bishop Rophael) | |
| Wed 24 October | Divine Liturgy at St. Mina’s Monastery, Mariut (sermon by Fr. Pachomious El-Souriani) | |
| 22 – 24 October | Church-wide fast before Papal election | |
| Mon 29 October | Papal election | |
| 31 Oct – 2 Nov | Church-wide fast preceding Altar Ballot | |
| Sun 4 November | Divine Liturgy at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Cairo with Altar Ballot and selection of the 118th Pope |
