Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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How would the Coptic Orthodox Church receive someone who has been baptized at the protestant church and Chrismated at the Eastern Orthodox Church?

In our Coptic Orthodox Church, baptism is a mystery (sacrament) that only an ordained priest or bishop can officiate. The Protestant Church does not believe in  priesthood; and baptism is not considered a mystery but just a sign of joining the Christian body of believers. For the Eastern Orthodox Church to recognize this Protestant baptism is unfortunately a lack of understanding of the whole mystery. A prospective convert to the Coptic Orthodox Church is usually asked about his/her baptism; and if he/she has not baptized in the Orthodox faith by an officially ordained priest, this baptism is not valid and he/she has to be baptized.
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