Meeting between Coptic Pope and Malankara Moopan: Coptic Church says a joint dialogue committee will address Indian–Syriac Church issues

OCP News Service – 12/11/2025

Cairo – Egypt: H.H. Pope Tawadros II received H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church, at the Papal Residence in Cairo, where the leaders held a joint session and affirmed the need to “build peace” through love and wisdom. The visit included a tour of the Church of Archangel Michael and the Gift Museum, followed by a working meeting with delegations from both Churches. Coptic Orthodox Church

Following the discussions, a joint dialogue committee was proposed between the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church, with the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church serving as mediators to develop a roadmap for dialogue. The proposal was publicized by H.G. Bishop (Archbishop) Angaelos of London, who wrote that it was “a privilege to be in Cairo” accompanying Pope Tawadros II and noted the plan to form the committee to progress reconciliation. X (formerly Twitter)

Pope Tawadros welcomed the Catholicos and his companions, expressing joy at the visit and stressing that God calls for purity of heart, word, relationships, and dialogue, concluding with a request for prayers “that Christ may grant us more love and wisdom.” Coptic Orthodox Church

Delegations from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Abraham Mor Stephanos (Metropolitan of UK, Europe), Rev. Fr. Aswin Fernandez, Rev. Fr. Baiju Johnson, and Mr. Jacob Mathew. From the Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Metropolitan Thomas (Metropolitan of El-Qussia and Mir), H.G. Bishop Angaelos (Bishop of London), H.G. Bishop Angelos (General Bishop of Northern Shoubra Churches), Hegumen Fr. Mousa Ibrahim (Spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church), Monk Fr. Kyrillos El-Maqari, Dr. Girgis Saleh (Honorary Secretary-General of the Middle East Council of Churches), and Deacon Joseph Reda of the Papal Secretariat. Coptic Orthodox Church

Bishop Angaelos note on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the constructive atmosphere of the Cairo meetings and confirmed that, after receiving a historical overview of relations between the Indian and Syriac Orthodox Churches, the hierarchs proposed establishing the joint committee to map a way forward, adding that he is pleased to work closely with Metropolitan Stephanos on this effort.

After the meeting, the Catholicos and delegation visited Saint Mark’s Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter (El-Botroseya), the Shrine of Saint Mark the Apostle, and the Shrine of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, where they were briefed on the history of each site.

Source:

OCP News Service, copticorthodox.church and X