Diocese of New York and New England

Semi-Annual Clergy Meeting — May 11–13, 2026

Action & Decision Points

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Pastoral Care Committee

• Form the new Women’s Committee as a standalone body (not under Pastoral Care) to discuss and strengthen women’s ministry in the Diocese. Include women’s and female young adults to the committee.

◦ Initial members: Fr. Mina Yanni, Fr. Andrew Awad, Fr. Tomas Kalta

• Organize a Coptic Global Day celebration annually on June 1st, in accordance with the Holy Synod decision.

• Add an “Ask the Bishop” page to the diocesan website.

• Forward all Coptic Reader questions submitted by priests to His Grace for forwarding to Metropolitan Youssef.

• Schedule the next Family Retreat:

◦ February 14–16, 2027 (Presidents’ Day Weekend)

• Remind the Education Committee regarding the catechism-in-the-region initiative for converts from various backgrounds.

• Designate youth consecrated servants:

◦ Up to one year at NYNE

◦ Then one year in California under Metropolitan Serapion

◦ Followed by monastic consecration and return for service within the Diocese of New York & New England.

Fr. Andrew Awad — Personal Action Items

• Priests’ Family Retreat:

◦ Ensure all fathers are registered by May 25, 2026, at 10:00 PM

◦ Retreat dates: July 12–15, 2026

• Receive messages from priests wishing to hold Church Board Elections (September 2026).

• Serve on the newly established Women’s Committee.

Media Committee — Fr. Isaac Salib

• The committee is to regularly update and maintain the diocesan website.

• Post all diocesan decisions to the website.

• Add clergy, church, and deacon information to assist the faithful in knowing those who serve them.

• Add links to Holy Sophia, Maranatha, and other diocesan resources.

• Add and coordinate the “Ask the Bishop” page with His Grace.

Secretariat & Administration Committee — Fr. Andrew Awad

• Draft the role and term structure for “Al Wakeel” (Vicar), including 3-year term, two terms limit.

• Establish a protocol for visiting another diocese or holding events (e.g., banquets) within North America.

• No destination weddings are permitted on weekends.

• Weekday exceptions require permission.

• Review and document the visiting-priest protocol for circulation to all clergy.

• Any visiting priest can pray only one Sunday in any church per visit.

Fr. Cyril Antonious

• Add a saint’s name field to the lower diaconate ordination form for names that are not names of saints.

• Join the Ritual Committee to finalize deacon requirements and ranks.

Education Committee — Fr. Abraham Azmy

• Develop a first-year marriage preparation course.

• Develop a parenthood course.

• Address catechism-in-the-region and the priest–person relationship per His Grace’s instructions.

Pastoral Care Committee — Fr. Antonious Makarios

• Address ways to engage retired and semi-retired servants who wish to continue serving.

• Develop specialized services for individuals with special needs.

Ecumenism & Public Relations Committee

• Submit Christmas Choir event dates and concelebrated liturgy dates to His Grace in advance.

• Written report to be submitted by Fr. Cyril and Fr. Samuel Hanna.

• Explore involving lay leaders in public relations efforts.

All Priests — Immediate Compliance

• Visiting priests from Egypt:

◦ Must send their permission letter to the Vicar before serving.

◦ Any visiting priest can pray only one Sunday in any church per visit.

◦ Any visiting priest collecting funds must provide an official bishop’s letter and contact H.G. Bishop David.

• Iconography work:

◦ Consult H.G. Bishop David before commissioning any iconography work.

◦ Only Coptic iconography is permitted.

• The Family Retreat (February 14–16, 2027):

◦ Place the Family Retreat (February 14–16, 2027) on your calendar now.

◦ His Grace expects all fathers to attend.

• Sunday’s readings:

◦ Pauline Epistle and Catholic Epistle: Readers

◦ Acts: Epo-diakon (Sub-Deacon)

◦ Synaxarium: Priest or (Abouna can allow the Diakon to read it)

◦ Gospel: Priest or to whom he may delegate.

◦ Distribute Sunday readings at least one week in advance and maintain a clear monthly schedule.

• Enforce the Sunday sanctuary roster:

◦ 1 Deacon or Sub-Deacon

◦ 2 Epsaltons

◦ 2 Readers

◦ Only ordained and vested deacons are permitted inside the sanctuary.

• Ritual/Organizational:

◦ Respect announced service start and end times (within 5 minutes either way) for liturgies, meetings, retreats, and all activities.

◦ All hymns in English should be chanted in all occasions following the CHIE website.

◦ Days 41 to 49 of Holy Fifty, procession to be done inside the sanctuary with only the Resurrection and ascension icons.

◦ On the day of Pentecost, one procession during Matins service with all three icons (Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost) in matins.

◦ The Breaking of the Holy Body must occur over the paten and not outside it.

◦ Restore and enforce the use of the Communion cloth.

◦ Remove all icons of saints and fathers from inside the sanctuary.

◦ Enforce age requirements for all diaconate ordination ranks.

• Engagements:

◦ Bless the ring only.

◦ No three-knot bond.

• Weddings:

◦ 2027 will be the final year for scheduling weddings on the weekend before the Fast. Begin communicating this policy in all churches.

◦ Wedding readings must be conducted by vested deacons, not laymen or the groom.

• Church Board Elections — September 2026:

◦ The current board term concludes in September 2026.

◦ Electronic elections will begin shortly before.

Key Dates & Deadlines