TERMS ARE DEFINED HERE BASED ON THEIR RELATION TO THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE CLERICAL COUNCIL FOR FAMILY AFFAIRS – AMERICAS DISTRICT (CCFFAA)

ANNULMENT: A judgment made by the Clerical Council determining that a marriage was invalidly contracted and void at its inception. Reasons for Annulment include but are not limited to lack of consent, coercion, physical or psychological impotence, deliberate conceit, consanguinity and undisclosed ailment(s).

CHURCH CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (CCNIM): A certificate issued and signed by the Father Confessor of a parishioner who intends to marry in order to prove that there are no reasons that would prevent that parishioner from marriage in the Coptic Orthodox Church. A model CCNIM form suggested by the CCFFAA can be found here.

CROWNING الإكليل: The proper name of “Wedding Ceremony in the Coptic Orthodox Church. During the Crowning Ceremony “crowns” are placed on the heads of the groom and bride symbolizing kingship and queenship over the new kingdom, their home. Being a sacrament, the Crowning ceremony has to be officiated by an ordained priest, because he alone has the church authority to do so. As a holy Sacrament, marriage requires canonical prayers during which God’s Spirit is called upon to bless the bride and groom and to sanctify their union.

DIOCESAN CLERICAL COUNCIL: The local council that adjudicates marital conflict cases within an established diocese. It is headed by the bishop/metropolitan of the diocese.