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Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the Christianity of Egypt that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in the middle of the 1st century (approximately 42). The Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodoxy, and the See of Alexandria. Coptic Orthodox Christianity has been a distinct church body since the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The head of the church is the Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy See of Saint Mark, currently His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. More than 95% of Egypt's Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, but other "Patriarchates/Patriarchs of Alexandria" also exist (Coptic Catholic, Greek/Latin Catholic and Greek Orthodox - see Coptic Christianity Today below).
History
Egypt is identified in the Bible as the place of refuge that the Holy Family sought in its flight from Judea: "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod the Great, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:12-23). The Egyptian Church, which is now more than nineteen centuries old, was the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 says "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."
The first Christians in Egypt were mainly Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus, whom Saint Luke the Evangelist addresses in the introductory chapter of his gospel. When the church was founded by Mark during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, a great multitude of native Egyptians (as opposed to Greeks or Jews) embraced the Christian faith. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the New Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 A.D., and a fragment of the Gospel of John, written in Coptic, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. In the second century Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into the local language, namely Coptic.
The Catechetical School of Alexandria, Egypt
The Catechetical School of Alexandria is the oldest catechetical school in the world. Founded around 190 A.D. by the scholar Pantanaeus, the school of Alexandria became an important institution of religious learning, where students were taught by scholars such as Athenagoras, Clement, Didymus, and the great Origen, who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. Origen wrote over 6,000 commentaries of the Bible in addition to his famous Hexapla. Many scholars such as Jerome visited the school of Alexandria to exchange ideas and to communicate directly with its scholars. The scope of this school was not limited to theological subjects; science, mathematics and humanities were also taught there. The question-and-answer method of commentary began there, and 15 centuries before Braille, wood-carving techniques were in use there by blind scholars to read and write.
The Theological college of the catechetical school of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. The new school currently has campuses in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where Coptic priests-to-be and other qualified men and women are taught among other subjects Christian theology, history, Coptic language and art - including chanting, music, iconography, and tapestry.
Monasticism and missionary work
Many Egyptian Christians went to the desert during the 3rd century, and remained there to pray and work and give their lives to God. This was the beginning of the monastic movement, which was organized by Anthony the Great and Pachomius in the 4th century. By the end of the century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. A great number of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations to this day.
Egyptian monasticism attracted the attention of Christians in other parts of the world, who visited Egypt, many bringing monastic ideas home with them, and spreading monasticism through the Christian world. Basil, organizer of the monastic movement in Asia Minor visited Egypt around 357 and his rule is followed by the eastern Churches; Jerome, en route to Jerusalem, stopped in Egypt and left details of his experiences in his letters; Benedict founded monasteries in the 6th century on the model of Pachomius, but in a stricter form.
Council of Nicea
In the 4th century, an Alexandrian presbyter named Arius began a theological dispute about the nature of Christ that spread throughout the Christian world and is now known as Arianism. The Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325) was convened by Constantine to resolve the dispute and eventually led to the formulation of the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene Creed. The Creed, which is now recited throughout the Christian world, was based largely on the teaching put forth by a man who eventually would become Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, the chief opponent of Arius.
Council of Constantinople
In the year 381, Saint Timothy I of Alexandria presided over the second ecumenical council known as the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, which completed the Nicene Creed with this confirmation of the divinity of the Holy Spirit:
- "We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-giver, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified who spoke by the Prophets and in one Holy Universal Apostolic Church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age, Amen."
Council of Ephesus
Another theological dispute in the 5th century occurred over the teachings of Nestorius, a Patriarch of Constantinople who taught that God the Word was not hypostatically joined with human nature, but rather dwelt in the man Jesus. As a consequence of this, he denied the title "Mother of God" (Theotokos) to the Virgin Mary, declaring her instead to be "Mother of Christ" (Christotokos). When reports of this reached the Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark, the Coptic Orthodox Pope Saint Cyril I acted quickly to correct this breach with orthodoxy, requesting that Nestorius repent. When he would not, the Synod of Alexandria met in an emergency session and a unanimous agreement was reached. Pope Cyril I of Alexandria, supported by the entire See, sent a letter to Nestorius known as "The Third Epistle of Saint Cyril to Nestorius." This epistle drew heavily on the established Patristic Constitutions and contained the most famous article of Alexandrian Orthodoxy: "The Twelve Anathemas of Saint Cyril." In these anathemas, Cyril excommunicated anyone who followed the teachings of Nestorius. For example, "Anyone who dares to deny the Holy Virgin the title Theotokos is Anathema!" Nestorius however, still would not repent and so this led to the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431), over which Cyril presided.
The First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus confirmed the teachings of Saint Athanasius and confirmed the title of the Holy Ever-Virgin Mary as "Mother of God". It also clearly stated that anyone who separated Christ into two hypostases was anathema, as Athanasius had said that there is "One Nature and One Hypostasis for God the Word Incarnate" (Mia Physis kai Mia Hypostasis tou Theou Logou Sasarkomeni). Also, the introduction to the creed was formulated as follows:
- "We magnify you O Mother of the True Light and we glorify you O saint and Mother of God (Theotokos) for you have borne unto us the Saviour of the world. Glory to you O our Master and King: Christ, the pride of the Apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the rejoicing of the righteous, firmness of the churches and the forgiveness of sins. We proclaim the Holy Trinity in One Godhead: we worship Him, we glorify Him, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us, Amen."
The Orthodox faith is considered to have prevailed at the council. Unfortunately, Saint Cyril I of Alexandria died soon afterwards. Saint Dioscorus, the archdeacon of Alexandria (considered a saint by the non-Chalcedonians but a heretic by the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics) was elected as Saint Cyril's replacement. The Nestorians took the opportunity of Saint Cyril's death to revive their campaign against Cyrillian Christology.
Council of Chalcedon
When the Emperor Marcianus interfered with matters of faith in the Church, the response of Saint Dioscorus, the Pope of Alexandria who was later to be exiled, to this interference was clear: "You have nothing to do with the Church." It was at Chalcedon that the emperor would take his revenge for the Pope's frankness.
The Council of Chalcedon abandoned Cyrillian terminology and declared that Christ was one hypostasis in two natures. However, in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, "Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary," thus the foundation according to non-Chalcedonians is made clear. In terms of Christology the Oriental understanding is that Christ is "One Nature--the Logos Incarnate," of the full humanity and full divinity. The Byzantine understanding is that Christ is in two natures, full humanity and full divinity. (Just as all of us are of our mother and father and not in our mother and father, so too is the nature of Christ. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the Nestorians teach. Imagine your nature in your mother and your father; you are then two different people. If however your nature is of your mother and your father, then you are one person .) This is the linguistic difference which separated the Orientals from the Byzantines.
The Council's findings were rejected by many of the Christians on the fringes of the Byzantine Empire, including Coptic Orthodox Christians of Egypt, Syrians, Armenians, and others. From that point onward, Alexandria would have two patriarchs: the non-Chalcedonian national truly Egyptian one, now known as the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of St. Mark and the "Melkite" or Imperial Patriarch, now known as the Greek Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa. Almost the entire Egyptian population rejected the terms of the Council of Chalcedon and remained faithful to the national Egyptian Church (now known as the Coptic Orthodox Church). Those who supported the Chalcedonian definition remained in communion with the other leading churches of Rome and Constantinople. The non-Chalcedonian party became what is today called the Oriental Orthodox Church.
The Coptic Orthodox Church regards itself as having been misunderstood at the Council of Chalcedon. Some Copts believe that perhaps the Council understood the Church correctly, but wanted to exile the Church, to isolate it and to abolish the Egyptian, independent Pope, who maintained that Church and State should remain separate. The Coptic Orthodox Church regarded that the ousting of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria in the council of Chalcedon was in part due to the rivalry between the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome. The Tome of Pope Leo of Rome was considered influenced by Nestorian philosophy. It is important to note that Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria was never labeled as heretic by the council's canons. Copts also believe that the Pope of Alexandria was forcibly prevented from attending the third congregation of the council in which he was ousted, which apparently was a result of the conspiracy tailored by the Roman delegates. For further info, please refer to this key paper on the subject by Professor Fr. John S. Romanides, a prominent Greek Orthodox scholar.
Before the current positive era of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox dialogues, Chalcedonians sometimes used to call the non-Chalcedonians "monophysites", though the Coptic Orthodox Church denies that it teaches monophysitism, which she has always regarded as a heresy. They have sometimes called the Chalcedonian group "dyophysites". A term that comes closer to Coptic Orthodox doctrine is "miaphysite" , which refers to a conjoined nature for Christ, both human and divine, united indivisibly in the Incarnate Logos. The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that Christ is perfect in His divinity, and He is perfect in His humanity, but His divinity and His humanity were united in one nature called "the nature of the incarnate word", which was reiterated by Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Copts, thus, believe in two natures "human" and "divine" that are united in one hypostasis "without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration". These two natures "did not separate for a moment or the twinkling of an eye" (Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil of Caesarea).
From Chalcedon to the Arab conquest of Egypt
Copts suffered under the rule of the Byzantine Eastern Roman Empire. The Melkite Patriarchs, appointed by the emperors as both spiritual leaders and civil governors, massacred the Egyptian population whom they considered heretics. Many Egyptians were tortured and martyred to accept the terms of Chalcedon, but Egyptians remained loyal to the faith of their fathers and to the Cyrillian view of Christology. One of the most renowned Egyptian saints of that period is Saint Samuel the Confessor.
The Arab-Muslim conquest of Egypt
The Muslim conquest of Egypt took place in AD 639. Despite the political upheaval, Egypt remained a mainly Christian land, although gradual conversions to Islam over the centuries changed Egypt from a mainly Christian to a mainly Muslim country by the end of the 12th century. This process was sped along by persecutions during and following the reign of the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (reigned AD 996–1021) and the Crusades, and also by the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria Gabriel ibn-Turaik.
During Arab rule, the Copts needed to pay a special tax called the jizya in order to be defended by Muslim armies, as non-Muslims were not allowed to serve in the army. This tax was abolished in 1855.
From the 19th century to the 1952 revolution
The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855, the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the Jizya tax, was lifted. Shortly thereafter, Christians started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Christian components.
The Cradle of Monasticism
Monasticism was born in Egypt and was instrumental in the formation of the Coptic Church's character of submission and humility, thanks to the teachings and writings of the Great Fathers of Egypt's Deserts. Monasticism started in the last years of the third century, and flourished in the fourth century. Saint Anthony, the world's first Christian monk, was a Copt from Upper Egypt. Saint Pachomius, who established the rules of monasticism, was a Copt, and, Saint Paul, the world's first anchorite, was also a Copt. By the end of the fourth century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian deserts. Many of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations to this day. All Christian monasticism stems, either directly or indirectly, from the Egyptian example: Saint Basil, organiser of the monastic movement in Asia minor, visited Egypt around 357 A.D. and his rule is followed by the eastern Churches; Saint Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin, came to Egypt around 400 A.D. and left details of his experiences in his letters; Saint Benedict founded monasteries in the sixth century on the model of Saint Pachom, but in a stricter form. And countless pilgrims have visited the "Desert Fathers" to emulate their spiritual, disciplined lives.
Coptic Christianity today
The current Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy See of Saint Mark is Pope Shenouda III (his title should not be confused with that of the Roman Catholic Pope). There is also a Greek Orthodox Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria. The most recent Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is Pope Theodoros II . There is a small Coptic Catholic Church (Eastern Rite Catholic) which is headed by a Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria. The Melkite Catholic Church (Eastern Rite Catholic) has little presence in Egypt, but is headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. Small Protestant and Anglican denominations also exist.
By some accounts there are about 57 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in the world: they are found primarily in Egypt (roughly 11 million), Ethiopia (roughly 38 million & 1 million abroad, which is over half of Ethiopia's population ), and Eritrea (roughly 2.5 million), but there are significant numbers in North America, Europe, Australia, Sudan and Israel, and in diaspora throughout the world making approximately another 4 million. However, as applied to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which in 1959 was granted her first own Patriarch by Coptic Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria, the word Coptic can be considered a misnomer because it means Egyptian. The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church similarly became independent of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church during the early 1990s. These three churches remain in full communion with each other and with the other Oriental Orthodox churches. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church do acknowledge the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria as their honorary Superior, since the Church of Alexandria is technically their Mother Church. Both Patriarchs (Ethiopian & Eritrian), upon their selection must receive the approval and communion from the Holy Synod of the Apostolic See of Alexandria before their enthronment.
Currently the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church is composed of the following:
1) His Holiness Shenouda III (Senouthius III), Pope and Lord Archbishop of the Great City of Alexandria, Primate of all the Egyptian Province & Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy Throne of St. Mark the Evangelist, the Holy Apostle & Martyr.
Metropolitans of the Throne:
2) His Eminence Mikhail (Michael), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Assiut (Lycopolis) & Abbot of St. Macarius the Great Monastery, in Scetis, Lower Egypt.
3) His Eminence Domadius, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Giza (Memphis) & Atfieh (Aphroditopolis).
4) His Eminence Pachomius, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Beheira (Thmui & Hermopolis Parva), Mariout (Mariotis), Mersa Matrouh (Antiphrae & Paractorium), Libya (Livis) & Titular Bishop of Pentapolis (Cyrenica).
5) His Eminence Pishoy (Pisoios), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Damietta (Thamiates), Kafr El Sheikh (Xais) & Belquas & General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Throne.
6) His Eminence Marcus (Mark), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Toulon and all France, Primate of the French Orthodox Church, France.
7) His Eminence Abraham I, Metropolitan of the Holy and Great City of Our Lord, Jerusalem, Holy Zion, Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of Jerusalem (Ierosolimon), All Palestine, Philadelphia of Jordan & the Near East.
8) His Eminence Seraphim, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Glastonbury, Primate of the British Orthodox Church, United Kingdom.
9) His Eminence Hedra, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Aswan (Syene) & Abbot of St. Hedra Monastery.
10) His Eminence Wissa (Besa), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Balyanna (Abidos), Berdis & Awlad Tokh & its Jurisdictions.
Bishops of the Throne:
11) His Grace Arsenius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Menia & Abou Qurquas.
12) His Grace Ammonius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Luxor, Esna & Armant (Thebes, Maximianopolis, Latopolis, Hermonthis & Appolinopolis Magna) (Relieved from Eparchial Shepherding).
13) His Grace Benyamin (Benjamin), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Menoufia (Prosopolis).
14) His Grace Pavnotius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Samalot & Toha El Aaameda.
15) His Grace Angelos, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Sharqueya (Facusa & Tannis).
16) His Grace Tadros (Theodoros), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Port Said (Pelusium & Farma).
17) His Grace Ignatius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Suez (Klyzma).
18) His Grace Yacobos (Jacob), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Zaggazig (Bubastis) and Mina El Qamh
19) His Grace Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Nag’Hammadi (Diospolis Parva) & Abou Tesht.
20) His Grace Paula (Paul), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tanta (Tana).
21) His Grace Marcus (Mark), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Shoubra El Kheima.
22) His Grace Ashe’yia (Isaiah), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tahta & Guehena (Aphroditopolis & Hispis)
23) His Grace Fam, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Tema.
24) His Grace Pissada, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Akhmim, Saqualta (Panopolis) & Mount Akhmim Holy Monasteries.
25) His Grace Andrawos (Andrew), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abou Tig, Sedfa & Ghanayem.
26) His Grace Missael, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Birmingham and all the Midlands, England & Wales, UK.
27) His Grace Abram III, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Fayoum (Crocodilopolis, Arsinoe & Philadelphia) & Abbot of Archangel Gabriel Monastery in the Naqloun Mountain, Central Egypt.
28) His Grace Serapion, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California & Hawaii, USA.
29) His Grace Demetrius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Malawy, Anssanna & El Ashmounin (Antinopolis & Hermopolis).
30) His Grace Lucas (Luke), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Abnoub & El Fatt’h.
31) His Grace Bakhoum (Pakhomius), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Sohag, Mansha’a & Maragha (Athribis & Ptolemais).
32) His Grace Barsoum (Parsoma), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Dairut & Sanabou.
33) His Grace Antonius (Anthony), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Manfalot.
34) His Grace Picenti (Pisentios), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Helwan & Maasara.
35) His Grace Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Milano and Northern Italy & Abbot of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery in Milano, Italy.
36) His Grace Aghapius, Bishop the Holy Diocese of Deir Mouwas & Delgua.
37) His Grace Thomas, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Quousseya (Cusaie) & Meir.
38) His Grace Matthias, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Mahala El Kobra (Sebennitos). (Resigned & Deposed)
39) His Grace Cheroubim (Cherubim), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Quena, Qift & Jurisdictions.
40) His Grace Pimen, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Nekada (Appolinopolis Parva) & Qous.
41) His Grace Thecla, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Dishna (Tentyra) & Jurisdictions.
42) His Grace Macarius, Bishop of the Eritrean Church in the USA. Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod.
43) His Grace Marcus (Mark), Bishop of the Eritrean Church in the UK. Member of the Eritrean Holy Synod.
44) His Grace Theophilus, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Hurghada & the Red Sea.
45) His Grace Maximus, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Benha (Leontopolis) & Quouwaysena (Athribis).
46) His Grace Sarapamon (Serapis Amon), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Atbara, Um Dourman & the North of the Sudan & Titular Bishop of Nubia.
47) His Grace Antony, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ireland, Scotland & Northeast England, UK.
48) His Grace Damianus (Damian), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Hoexter-Brenkenhausen, Kroeffelbach & All Germany & Abbot of the Monastery of St. Anthony the Great in Kroeffelbach, Germany
49) His Grace Youssef (Joseph), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Southern United States, USA.
50) His Grace Barnabas, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Torino and Southern Italy.
51) His Grace Suriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Melbourne, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand & The Pacific Islands
52) His Grace Gabriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Suef & Bahnasa (Heracleopolis Magna).
53) His Grace Georgios (George), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Matay (Ankyronpolis) & Jurisdictions.
54) His Grace Stephanos (Stephen), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beba, Samasta & El Fashn (Oxyrhynchus).
55) His Grace Gabriel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Vienna and all Austria.
56) His Grace Ilia (Elijah), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Khartoum & the South of the Sudan.
57) His Grace Seraphim, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Ismailia.
58) His Grace Appollo, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Tor, Sharm El Sheikh & All South Sinai.
59) His Grace Athanasius, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Beni Mazar.
60) His Grace Aghathon, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Maghagha & `Edwa.
61) His Grace Kosman (Cosmas), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of El Arish, Port Tawfik, El Quantara & All North Sinai.
62) His Grace Daniel, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Sydney, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan & Singapore & Jurisdictions
63) His Grace Dawood (David), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Mansoura (Leontopolis) & Abbot of St. George Monastery at Meit Demsis, Lower Egypt.
64) His Grace Aghathon, Bishop the Holy Diocese of Sao Paolo and All Brazil.
65) His Grace Youssef, Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Santa Cruz and All Bolivia
Auxiliary Bishops of the Throne:
66) His Grace Athanasius, Auxiliary Bishop of the Holy Metropolitanate of Toulon and all France, Assistant to H.E Marcos, French Orthodox Church.
67) His Grace Daniel, Auxiliary Bishop for Maadi District in Cairo, Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
68) His Grace Raphael, Auxiliary Bishop for Central Cairo & Heliopolis in Cairo, Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
69) His Grace Tawadrose (Theodore), Auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Diocese of El Behera (Thumi & Hemopolis Parva), assistant to H.E. Pachomius.
70) His Grace Maximos (Maximus), Auxiliary Bishop for Irininoupolis (Dar El Salam) in Cairo, Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
71) His Grace Silwanos (Silvanus), Auxiliary Bishop for Old Cairo (Babylon) & Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
72) His Grace Timotheos (Timothy), Auxiliary Bishop for El Mataria, Ain Shams & Ezbet El Nakhl, Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
73) His Grace Martyros (Martyrus), Auxiliary Bishop for East of the Railroad District, Cairo, Assistant to H.H. the Pope.
74) His Grace Macarius, Auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Diocese of El Menia, Assistant to H.G. Arsenius.
Exarchs of the Throne:
75) His Grace Antonius Markos (Anthony Mark), General Bishop for African Affairs & Patriarchal Exarch in West & South Africa.
76) His Grace Youhanna (John), Auxiliary Bishop & Patriarchal Exarch in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Archdiocese of North America.
77) His Grace Boules (Paul), General Bishop for Evangelization & Missionaries & Patriarchal Exarch in East & Central Africa.
78) His Grace David, General Bishop & Patriarchal Exarch in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Archdiocese of North America.
79) His Grace Angelos, General Bishop & Patriarchal Exarch for the Youth Ministry at the Patriarchal Center and the Coptic Orthodox Theological College at Stevenage, U.K.
Bishop Abbots of the Holy and Sacred Monasteries of the Throne:
80) His Grace Sarapamon (Serapis Amon), Bishop & Abbot of St. Pishoy Monastery in the Scetis Desert, Lower Egypt.
81) His Grace Sawiros (Severus), Bishop & Abbot of the Most Holy Virgin Mary (aka El Moharraq) Monastery, Upper Egypt.
82) His Grace Mattheos (Matthew), Bishop & Abbot of the Most Holy Virgin Mary (aka El Sourian/The Syrian) Monastery, in the Scetis Desert, Lower Egypt.
83) His Grace Basilius (Basil), Bishop & Abbot of St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery, in the El Qualamon Mountain
84) His Grace Yustus (Justus), Bishop & Abbot of St. Anthony the Great Monastery, in the Eastern Desert
85) His Grace Isizoros (Isidore), Bishop & Abbot of the Most Holy Virgin Mary (aka Paromeos/The Romans) Monastery, in the Scetis Desert, Lower Egypt.
86) His Grace Kyrillos (Cyril), Bishop & Abbot of St. Minas the Wonder Worker Monastery, in the Mariut (Mariotis)Desert, Lower Egypt.
87) His Grace Minas, Bishop & Abbot of St. George the Victorious Prince and Great Martyr Monastery, in El Khatatba, Central Egypt.
88) His Grace , Bishop & Abbot of St. Paula the Hermit Monastery, in the Eastern Desert.
General Bishops & Administrators of the Bishoprics of the Throne:
89) His Grace Ruweis, General Bishop.
90) His Grace Moussa (Moses), General Bishop, Administrator for the Bishopric of Youth Affairs.
91) His Grace Dioscorus, General Bishop, Administrator of the Patriarchal Print Shop.
92) His Grace Petros (Peter), General Bishop.
93) His Grace Youannes (John), General Bishop, Patriarchal Secretary at the Patriarchal Residence in Cairo.
94) His Grace Armiah (Jeremiah), General Bishop, Patriarchal Secretary at the Patriarchal Residence in Cairo.
95) His Grace Apakir (Apa Cyrrhus), General Bishop.
96) His Grace Isaac, Chori-Episcopus.
Patriarchal Vicar for Alexandria:
97) The Very Reverend Hegumen Cheroubim the Pachomian, Grand Economos & Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria.
Vacant Dioceses
98) His Eminence (Vacant), Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitanate of Guergua (Thinis).
99) His Grace (Vacant), Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Shebin El Quanater, Toukh & El Khanka.
100) His Grace (Vacant), Bishop & Abbot of St. George the Victorious Prince and Great Martyr Monastery, in El Rozaiquat, Central Egypt.
Since the 1980s theologians from the Oriental (Non-Chalcedonian) Orthodox and Eastern (Chalcedonian) Orthodox churches have been meeting in a bid to resolve the theological differences, and have concluded that many of the differences are caused by the two groups using different terminology to describe the same thing (see Agreed Official Statements on Christology with the Eastern Orthodox Churches). In the summer of 2001, the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria agreed to mutually recognize baptisms performed in each other's churches, making rebaptisms unnecessary, and to recognize the sacrament of marriage as celebrated by the other. Previously, if a Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox wanted to marry, the marriage had to be performed twice, once in each church, for it to be recognized by both. Now it can be done in only one church and be recognized by both.
According to Christian Tradition and Canon Law, the Coptic Orthodox Church only ordains men, and if they wish to be married, they must be married before they are ordained. In this respect they follow the same practices as does the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Traditionally, the Coptic language was used in church services, and the scriptures were written in the Coptic alphabet. However, due to the arabisation of Egypt, service in churches started to witness increased use of Arabic, while preaching is done entirely in Arabic. Native languages are used, in conjunction with Coptic and Arabic, during services outside of Egypt.
Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January according to the Gregorian Calendar , which is the 25th of December according to the Julian Calendar, which the Alexandrine Church uses as its Ecclessiastical Calendar. It is known as the Coptic Calendar and also known as the Alexandrian Calendar, which in turn, is based on the old Egyptian Calendar used by the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The Coptic Orthodox Church is thus considered an Old Calendrist Church. Christmas, according to the Julian based Calendar has been since 2002, an official national holiday in Egypt.
Prominent Copts
- Some Coptic saints
- St. Abanoub
- St. Philopateer Mercurius
- St. Abdel Messih El-Makari
- St. Abraam Bishop of Fayoum الأنبا إبرآم أسقف الفيوم
- St. Anthony the Great القديس الأنبا أنطونيوس أب الرهبان
- St. Athanasius the Apostolic البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي
- St. Cyril of Alexandria القديس البابا كيرلس السكندري عامود الدين
- Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria قداسة البابا كيرلس السادس
- St. Demiana الشهيدة دميانة
- St. Didimos القديس ديديموس الضرير
- St. Dioscores البابا ديسقوروس
- St. Mary of Egypt القديسة مريم المصرية
- St. Mina الشهيد مارمينا العجايبي
- St. Maurice القديس موريس قائد الكتيبة الطيبية
- St. Moses the Black القديس موسى الأسود
- St. Pakhom القديس باخوم أب الشركة
- St. Parsoma الأنبا برسوم العريان
- St. Pavly the Anchorite
- St. Philopatyr Mercurius
- St. Pishoy
- St. Samuel the Confessor
- St. Shenouda the Archimandrite
- St. Simon the Shoemaker
- St. Tekle Haymanot القديس الأنبا تكلا هيمانوت الحبشي القس
- St. Tigy
- St. Verena
- St. Karas
- Clergymen
- HH Pope Shenouda III, the current Pope of Alexandria قداسة البابا شنوده الثالث (Egypt)
- Abouna Matta El Meskeen, Spiritual Father of the Monks in St. Macarius' Monastery in Scetis (Egypt)
- Politicians
- Boutros Ghali, Prime Minister of Egypt بطرس غالي
- Boutros Boutros Ghali, Former Secretary General of the United Nations بطرس بطرس غالي
- Makram Ebeid مكرم عبيد
- Kamal Stino, Former Vice Prime Minister of Egypt كمال ستينو
- Youssef Boutros Ghali, Trade Minister of Egypt يوسف بطرس غالي
- 20th-century prominent Copts
- Professor Naguib Pasha Mahfouz (1882-1974), Obstetric fistula pioneer and the father of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Egypt
- Sir Magdi Yacoub, leading cardiologist in the world مجدي يعقوب
- Isaac Fanous, the father of modern Coptic iconography ايزاك فانوس
- Hany Ramzy, football player
- Mary Moneib ماري منيب
- Ester Fanous إستر فانوس
- Sobhi Gergis صبحي جرجس
- Margret Nakhla مرجريت نخلة
- Sally Bishai Director
- Sandra Nashaat ساندرا نشأت
- Michel Bakhoum ميشيل باخوم Prominent Professor of Structural Engineering and Consulting Engineer
- Nabih Youssef Leading structural engineer in the U.S.
- Professor Alfy Morcos Fanous Leading civil engineer and one of the coastal engineering pioneers in the world
- Youssef Sidhom Prominent Journalist
- Onsi Sawiris Founder of Orascom Corp. and richest man in Egypt
- Fayez Sarofim Billionaire Houston financier
- William Selim Hanna Minister of Housing (1952-54) Prominent Structural Engineer وليم سليم حنا
- Salama Moussa Journalist, Reformer, Philosopher and Social Critic سلامه موسى
See also
- Christianity in Africa
- The Copts
- Coptic Orphans
- Coptic Alphabet
- Coptic Art
- Coptic Calendar
- Coptic Language
- Coptic Music
- Heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church
- List of Coptic Popes
- List of Patriarchs of Alexandria – prior to Chalcedon
- Coptic Catholic Church
- Egypt
- 2005 Alexandria riot
External links
- Official Website of HH Pope Shenouda III
- The official Site for the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands & Affiliated regions, U.K.
- More Information on the Coptic Church, its Beliefs, Practices, and Liturgical Life
- Downloadable Coptic hymns, chants, songs, liturgies, live webcasts, and forum
- Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church : Los Angeles, CA
- Coptic Media Productions - A weekly Coptic TV program airing in the English Language showing a glimpse of the faith, tradition and practicies of the church
- The hub of the Coptic Media Network
- The Official Website of the Heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church
- Official Website of St. Macarius the Great's Monastery in Scetis (Egypt)
- An Overview of the Coptic Christians of Egypt by Lara Iskander and Jimmy Dunn
- Holy Virgin Mary Apparitions over the domes of Her Coptic Orthodox Church in Zeitun, Cairo, Egypt, 1968 - seen by millions
- The late Pope Kyrillos VI (Cyril the Sixth), 116th Pope of Alexandria and See of St. Mark (Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, 1959-1971)
- St. Mina (Menas) Coptic Orthodox Monastery in Mariut, near Alexandria, Egypt
- Coptic Church History at www.St-Takla.org
- CoptNet - The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church Of Egypt
- Réseau des Coptes en France (French)
- History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria - to 849 A.D.
- Agpeya: Coptic Book of Hours - also see Canonical hours
- The MA Program in Coptic Studies at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- France-copte.net Coptic Website in France, Autor Mikhail David
- Saint Mark Coptic Orhtodox Church of Washington, DC
- Saint Mary & Saint Mark Coptic Orhtodox Church, Paris - FRANCE
References
- Kamil, Jill (1997). Coptic Egypt: History and Guide. Cairo: American University in Cairo.
Bibliography
- Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity by Dr. Otto F. A. Meinardus (368 pages - Cairo: AUC Press, 2002)
- Traditional Egyptian Christianity: A History of the Coptic Orthodox Church by Rev. Fr. Prof. Theodore H. Partrick (226 pages - Fisher Park Press, 1996)
- Story of the Church of Egypt - by Edith L Butcher (1897)
- Selected Bibliography about Coptic Christianity
- From Paris to Cairo: Resistance of the Unacculturated