Warnings against Max Michelle

In the meeting on 18/06/2005

In this meeting, the Faith, Education and Legislative Committee presented its recommendation to the Holy Synod, which decided to accept its following statement and recommendations:

"The Holy Synod issued a decision announcing that Max Michelle, who was a graduate of the Clerical Seminary (in the day department) at a rank less than the degree of a full Deacon [Sub-Deacon], and who served intermittent periods full of clashes in St. Mina Church in Shubra, and the church of Abu Seifin in Zafta, and St. George’s Church in Tanta, and St. Paul’s Church in Tanta, until a dismissal by His Grace, the departed Bishop Yoanes, Bishop of Gharbiafor. The reason for this was the deviation of his belief, with his educational errors which His Grace himself observed and addressed."

From then onwards, he began activities outside the Church, which evolved into forming a group following non-orthodox Pentecostal ideology, and he got married. His Holiness the Pope announced on Wednesday 06/26/2002 at the general meeting at St. Mark's Cathedral in St. Rewis, Cairo, that His Holiness intends to try Max Michelle [by trial]. He was quick to publish a photo essay in a photographs magazine at the same time, in which he claims that he intends to return to the arms of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in order to avoid the trial and missed the opportunity, then he recently formed an independent church in the name of Saint Athanasius, announcing the same bishop in the name of Maximus John, and published in newspapers that this church was established in America before it opened a branch in Cairo. He thus openly separated himself from the Coptic Church Orthodoxy because no one is permitted to be bishop without laying of hands by His Holiness the Pope, and attending the Holy Synod, just as bishops are not allowed to be married in the Apostolic Orthodox Churches. The Holy Synod warns of the teachings of Max Michelle which has a Pentecostal nature. Anyone who joins his group separates himself from the Church, as the Holy Synod deprives Max Michelle and his followers from our Church and strikes him of the rank of the Diaconate that he obtained, while withdrawing the certificate from the Clerical Institute and considering it was never issued.

The Holy Synod also warns against attending this group’s meetings, and the Committee recommends that this be published in the Al-Karaza Magazine and whenever possible."

After submitting the recommendation to the Holy Synod, His Holiness the Pope said:

"Everyone who joins the group of Max Michelle cuts himself from the Church or separates himself from the Church. Also, whenever we discuss this topic, we refer to him as “Max Michelle”, as we do not recognize his Church nor do we recognise him as as Bishop. It is also possible that ee in the episcopal Religious Institutions announce the withdrawal of the Institute certificate from him. "

The Holy Synod approved what was stated to His Holiness the Pope.

In the meeting on 10/06/2006

The Holy Synod agreed to the recommendation of the Faith, Education, and Legislative Committee that it was necessary to announce the deprivation of Max Michelle (which was decided by the Holy Synod in 2005), and the reasons for that, and that it is non-Orthodox and dissident, and the separation of all those from the Church who follow him, until they repent. This is to be published by all possible means, in order to prevent the deception of the children of the Church.