Warnings regarding Protestants and the importance of educating the people

The Holy Synod agreed on what was recommended by the Faith, Education and Legislative Committee, following discussion, as follows:

1. Paying attention to the topics of doctrine, explaining the differences with the Protestants, raising awareness for all in the seminars of the Holy Synod, in sermons, meetings, spiritual days, and conferences, by promoting objectivity and not using hurtful words.
2. Allocating the next annual conference in the monastery in Al-Azab in Fayoum, God willing, between 21-25 September 2003 to explain the differences with the Protestants and their attempts to attract the children of the Church.
3. It is requested that Bishops pass the information of this report on Protestant activity to the Priests at their upcoming meetings.
4. Requiring priests to explain these matters in servants’ meetings.
5. Bishops are to explain to the Fathers and the Priests in their meetings why we reject unity that is not based on a single united faith.
6. We need books that explain the concept of true unity in Christianity, and why we reject the emotional unity that they advocate, just as the Lord is "love", so he is also "the truth”."
7. Explaining the concept of sound Christian unity to the people.
8. Sermons are not limited to the spiritual dimension and preaching, without including doctrinal differences with other denominations.
9. Examining the response to the invitations addressed to us and to the Priests and the people. No one should accept invitations unless issued by the Patriarchate or the Archdiocese or the Coptic Orthodox Church, and refuse to respond to calls, publications and correspondence of unknown sources or those not issued by our Church.