Official recognition of the convent by the Holy Synod

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, at its meeting of Friday, June 2, 2023 (25 Bashans 1739 of the Martyrs), presided over by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, officially recognized the Coptic Orthodox Convent of St. Mary, St. George and St. Philopateer in Paisley, Ontario, as one of the recognized convents of the Coptic Orthodox Church: the first in Canada.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Mother Arsania, mother of the convent, and the nuns travelled to the Papal Headquarters in Abbassia, Cairo, where His Holiness signed the official documents of recognition in their presence and gave them his blessing. The documents bear the signatures of His Holiness and of His Grace Bishop Mina, Bishop of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada and head of the convent.

On July 3, 2026, His Grace Bishop Mina, head of the convent, and His Grace Bishop Daniel, Abbot of St. Paul's Monastery, signed the declaration at the convent.

We give thanks to God for this grace, and ask for your prayers for the convent and its nuns.