Pope Shenouda III assigned Father Sirgius as the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate deputy for administrative affairs, entrusting him with the patriarchate stamp that was previously with Bishop Yu’annis. Some sources interpreted the incident as a step in the gradual withdrawing of power from Bishop Yu’annis. Others see it as relieving Bishop Yu’annis of some of the many tasks he has. Pope Shenouda also denied what was rumored about an alleged trial against Bishop Armia.