Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales
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The Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales has two churches in Wales. The first is in South Wales and the other in North Wales.
Historical background
Missionary work of the Church of Alexandria (3rd and 4th centuries)
The
Modern presence
Although the Coptic Orthodox congregation has been present in Wales since the 1960s, the first Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was consecrated in 1992 by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in the town of Risca, South Wales.
Currently there are two
St Mary and St Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church
The first Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales was consecrated in 1992 by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in the town of Risca, South Wales, as a church of the
The Church building was a Former Wesleyan
The parish was later known as Trinity Methodist Church.[1]
The church is a listed historic building (Grade II) for its well preserved architectural interest, its unusual slender arcades and especially for its fine decorative frontage.
The interior was partly converted to Coptic Orthodox liturgical use. Unusual aisled roof structure, wooden trusses rising from posts set on the very tall slender marbled columns with Corinthian derived capitals, which also support the high round arches of a wooden arcade; painted boarded ceiling. Wide moulded reredos arch and gallery. Rear raked gallery with curved and panelled front; pews on both floors retained. Vestibule has glazed panels to partition and swing doors with quarry glazing incorporating Art Nouveau motifs.
The current priest is Father Philopater Wahba
This church is under the direct supervision of Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and he is the head of the Church's council.
Saint Mary and Saint Abasikhyron Coptic Orthodox Church
The second
At first the Church did not have its own priest, therefore the mass was held there on Saturdays by a visiting priest, Father Bishoy, from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Manchester. Later the Church had its own priest, Fr. John Saleeb.
The church was consecrated by Pope Shenouda III during a visit to the UK on Saturday 29 March 2008.[5][6]
See also
- Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
- Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands and Affiliated Areas U.K.
- St Mary and St Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church
- Copts
- Patriarch of Alexandria
- Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland
- The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
- Oriental Orthodoxy
- Egypt
References
- ^ Jones A V, Risca, its Industrial and Social Development, 1977
- ^ ElKeraza English with the news of buying the church , 33rd year, 11 February 2005, issues 5 and 6 Page 7
- ^ "ElKeraza English with the news of buying the church 33rd year 11 February 2005 issues 5 and 6 Page 7" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "A Second Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K." 12 November 2005.
- ^ North West Police News
- ^ http://ukmidcopts.org/index.php/news/260-hh-pope-shenouda-iii-consecrates-the-church-of-st-mary-a-st-abaskhyroun-in-llandudno-north-wales-v15-260 [dead link]