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On December 12, 2006, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and His Beatitude Pope Theodorus II have signed a common declaration against the ordination of the rivel Max Michel.  I want you to read the words of this agreement carefully.  The issue of Max Michel is very well known, but this document is more than just condemning Max Michel and his actions against the Church.  This document seems to indicate that both families of Orthodoxy, the Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian patriarchs of Alexandria acting as One Church.  Many may be afraid to say this since the issue of the Eastern Orthodox/Oriental Orthodox debate causes many interpretions.

The dialogues that took place ever since the 1960s have caused a whole range of opinions to come forth.  Many have said that these dialogues are nothing but the roots of ecumenical heresy and political appeasement.  Others have expressed positivity, but only in the manner that makes it seem the "other side" is not of the Church, but will join the Church.  Then there are those who are cautiously optimistic, not really saying much except "We will see" or "if God wills."  Still there are others, like myself, who have seen the dialogues as revealing the true nature of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church, that is, it includes both the Chalcedonian Eastern Orthodox (sometimes called Byzantine or Roman Orthodox Church) and the non-Chalcedonian Oriental Orthodox (sometimes called Eastern, which includes our very own Coptic Orthodox Church).

Then one sees this declaration made by the Orthodox patriarchs of Alexandria and the dilemma seems to be slowly unfolding as how the heirarchs are seeing this.  Are we finally moving towards the path of unity, acting as one Church?  What's next?  What are the implications of such a declaration?

Notice the language of this declaration.  Both patriarchs have found it "necessary" to "express...their position" together concerning the "schismatic" Max Michel.  Both of them have rejected such a false ordination because the ordination and he (Max) "are not recognized by any Orthodox Church."  Together, the patriarchs have rejected the "ecclesiastical and sacramental validity" of Max Michel.  Consider the significance of this statement that both patriarchs have signed.  If together they have acknowledged someone as schismatic, should that mean that both Alexandrian patriarchs do not consider one another as schismatic?  If they care about what "any Orthodox Church" says, then would it not seem that they have looked at one another as "Orthodox churches," nay even sister churches?  If they have rejected the sacraments performed under Max Michel and his synod of bishops and priests, does that mean that they have considered one another's Church as sacramentally and ecclesiastically valid?

If the answer to any of the above questions is "No," then such a declaration has been nothing but a joke and has no foundation nor effectivity against Max Michel.  Perhaps, instead of splitting the Coptic Church, Max Michel has caused both Orthodox churches of Alexandria to stand together as one voice, sounding like they have been indeed One Orthodox Church all along.  Such actions are the characteristics of a united Orthodox Church:  One Orthodox faith, One Sacrament, One Ecclesiology, One Voice.  Perhaps, vociferously both Patriarchs have not fully declared one another as "One Church" nor have they added one another's names in their diptychs, but as my professor said in diagnosing symptoms, "if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck..."

Will there be more to come?  I am praying that these types of agreements are not limited to just Egypt.