Delegation of the Coptic Church Visits the Moscow Theological Academy

On January 31, 2026, a delegation of the Coptic Church visited the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy. 

The delegation included:

• Bishop Daniel, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite in the Eastern Desert near the Red Sea, Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission for Monasteries and Monasticism, and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church;
• Abbess Vasiliya, Mother Superior of the Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maadi, Cairo;
• Hieromonk Agathon Anba-Paula, a monk of the Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite;
• Nun Anastasia, a sister of the Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maadi;
• Dr. Anton Milad, advisor to His Holiness Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II;
• Hieromonk Dawoud Pasilios, official representative of the Copts in Russia. 

The guests of the Academy were welcomed by Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the theological school and Abbot of the Trinity Monastery. 

Following their conversation with Bishop Kirill, the delegation met with the faculty and students of the Academy in the Elizavetinsky Hall. 

The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere. Welcoming those gathered, Bishop Kirill expressed joy at the opportunity to engage with the ancient Alexandrian tradition and conveyed the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. In response, Bishop Daniel conveyed heartfelt prayers and greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Tawadros II and invited everyone to visit the Egyptian monasteries.

The central theme of the conversation was the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian, a priest, and a monk. Bishop Daniel spoke in detail about the Coptic understanding of prayerful practice - from the daily reading of the Psalms to personal conversation with God, from thanksgiving and praise to the confession of sins, petitions for peace, and the prayerful invocation of saints, especially the Most Holy Mother of God.

Special attention was given to the Jesus Prayer. The guest explained that in the Coptic tradition, it is practiced in the form: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner". He noted how it gradually transforms from a rule into a continuous internal practice that purifies the heart and mind. Laypeople are also blessed to practice it, focusing not on the quantity of repetitions but on the time set aside for it.

Eucharistic discipline was also discussed. In Coptic monasteries, monastics (including those not in holy orders) strive to receive Communion daily or nearly every day; in convents, it is practiced 3-4 times a week. Laypeople in parishes receive Communion at least once a week or more frequently. Preparation includes the Eucharistic fast (9 hours without food or water), careful spiritual sobriety, confession, and reconciliation with others. 

The guests spoke with great warmth about Russian saints. St. Seraphim of Sarov, "The Way of a Pilgrim", St. John of Kronstadt, and the New Martyrs of Russia are particularly loved and read in Egypt (a separate book about the New Martyrs has been published in Arabic translation). These texts strengthen the sense of unity in faith.

MThA students asked questions about life in Coptic monasteries: the degree of seclusion, access for laypeople, and the combination of eremitic life with service to the people. Bishop Daniel explained that most monasteries have separate churches for monks and pilgrims; mutual prayer enriches both sides, while the strict internal rule remains preserved.

The students also learned about the history of the Coptic Church, while Bishop Kirill spoke about the theological dialogues between the Russian and Coptic Churches and the ongoing joint projects in various fields of activity.

The meeting concluded with fraternal fellowship. The representatives of the Coptic Church expressed hope for the deepening of live contacts between the theological schools and monasteries of the two traditions. Students and faculty of the Academy noted the profound spiritual edification and the joy of witnessing the living faith of ancient Egypt.

MThA Press Office