A Coptic priest has sparked outrage among Christians in Egypt after declaring any man who lets his wife leave home in 'inappropriate clothes' will be 'judged before God'.

Father Daoud Lamei, parish priest of St Mark's Church in Heliopolis, Cairo, told Christian women in Egypt to cover up as he criticized them for wearing 'racy clothes' to church.

'Why are girls and women even coming to church if they're wearing revealing and inappropriate clothes?' he said.

Father Daoud Lamei, parish priest of St Mark's Church in Heliopolis, Cairo, criticised Christian women in Egypt for wearing 'racy clothes' to church

'She who does, will be judged,' Lamei added. 'I personally think any man, who agrees to his wife leaving her home in that way, will be judged before God.'

Lamei made the comments in a sermon on April 30 marking Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated by Egypt's Coptic Christian community.

'At least during Christmas we don't have to worry about racy clothes because it's cold... we want it to be cold always,' he said.

Coptic Christians make up around 12 percent of the conservative country's population of 100 million, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

Lamei's remarks sparked a mixed response from women in Egypt, with some criticising his strict tone while others praised the priest for giving worshippers guidelines.

Lamei made the comments in a sermon on April 30 marking Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated by Egypt's Coptic Christian community (Pictured, St Mark's Church in Heliopolis, Cairo)

'He is condemning these women... instead of explaining the appropriate dress code and attitude in church in general - for everyone,' said Sandra Awad, a 22-year-old student who has attended Lamei's church in the past.

But another woman, writing on Facebook, said the priest 'spoke with complete respect... so they can wake up and revere the church they're entering.'

The debate comes in the wake of a controversial online campaign calling on Christian women to 'cover up, so we people can pray'.

Another drive urging Egyptian women to cover up for Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, also appeared this week with similarities being drawn between the two.

Lamei has denied on social media that he endorsed any online drives and did not respond to a request for comment.

The Coptic Church has become increasingly political under the leadership of Pope Tawadros II, an enthusiastic supporter of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Coptic Christians make up around 12 percent of the conservative country's population of 100 million, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim (Stock image)

It has also taken on a more active role as the sole representative for Copts in public life as a discriminated minority.

'The clergy are role models for the community who see them as the guardians of their community, its traditions and its faith,' said Elizabeth Monier, an expert on Coptic affairs at the University of Cambridge.

'This is strongly the case when a community feels that it is under threat,' she said.

The Coptic community has suffered a number of deadly attacks on its churches in recent years, while Egyptian authorities routinely turn a blind eye to sectarian violence involving forced evictions and the shutting down of churches.

'Perceived attacks on Coptic traditions or teachings are likely to lead Copts to rally around their clergy and uphold traditions more strongly,' said Monier.

A group of worshippers at a church in Upper Egypt started an online campaign last week urging fellow young women to dress modestly, which was vehemently criticised by Facebook users for its conservative language.

Marianne Sedhom, 28, a lawyer in Alexandria who took issue with Lamei's sermon, said 'women in the church need to speak up more against retrograde and male-centric ideas'.