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Q&A Home > C > Holy Communion > Orthodox and Catholic I had a debate today with an Egyptian couple from Egypt stating that we can take communion with Catholics in Egypt and with Greek Orthodox as well because we are all Orthodox. They insisted that they heard a sermon attesting to that on one of the Coptic channels. I wanted to find reading reference for them so they can understand the differences and the limitations of our fellowship. The conclusion drawn on these premises is incorrect. The Coptic Orthodox Church is not yet in communion with the Catholic Churches. We are neither united in theology nor in dogma, and many differences still exist. Some of the Roman Catholic Liturgical texts may state the allowance of the Coptic Orthodox people to partake of their Holy Communion. Respectfully, we do not reciprocate this agreement and neither allow anyone outside of the full rites and dogmatic principles of the Nicene Creed and the Coptic Orthodox Sacramental Life of Holy Baptism by immersion and Holy Confirmation by the anointing of the Holy Chrism Myron Oil, to partake in the Holy Communion of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Regarding the non-Oriental Orthodox Churches, what we have resolved thus far are affirmations that the Coptic Orthodox Church and the other Oriental Orthodox Churches are Miaphysites and not Monophysites as had been the accusation made by the Eastern and Byzantine Orthodox Churches for many centuries. Our conflicts today are minor and we are underway toward resolutions. Yet, the Oriental Orthodox Churches insist on ascribing the well-deserved veneration of the sainthood of Pope Dioscorus, whom the Eastern Orthodox Churches refuse to acknowledge and still maintain that he was a supporter of Eutychus, the heretic. Likewise, the Coptic Orthodox Church refuses to acknowledge Pope Leo of Rome, for whom the Tome of Leo is attributed. This charismatic figure is considered to have been a source of division for the early church, motivated by political gain, and whose doctrine may have had traces of Nestorian ideology.
We do accept the baptism of members of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and all that is required for their inclusion in the rites of the Coptic Orthodox Church is the anointing of the Holy Chrism Myron Oil. For the most part, these cases are usually for the sake of marriage between two Orthodox individuals, one Oriental Orthodox and the other Eastern Orthodox. There is no reason why someone needs to partake of Holy Communion in any other church other than his/her own unless s/he lives in a region where their primary church does not exist in that locale. This is becoming less and less the case every day as the Coptic Orthodox Church is growing and spreading her wings throughout the world. However, the baptism of the Catholics is not affirmed due to the many dogmatic differences. Thus, Catholics are required full conversion, including baptism, if they wish to partake of the Holy Mysteries of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
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