The Coptic Orthodox Church

The Ancient Church of the Land of Egypt

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Where is Egypt?

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 Egypt in the Prophecies

“Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and
will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it.” (Isaiah
19:2)

In that day there will be an alter to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar to the
Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign for witness to the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt
(Isaiah 19:19)

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The Land of Pharaohs

• Egypt is a land of astonishing history. It

had one of the most advanced civilizations
of its time.

• Pharaonic Era dates back to 3000 years

B.C.

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• The Greeks (under Alexander the Great) conquered Egypt in 323 B.C. and ruled
until 30 A.D.

• The Romans then ended the Greek reign in 30 A.D. Egypt became part or the
Roman empire.
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 The land of Religion

• Religion was the thread of life for the

Pharaohs. (They believed in a trinity of Isis,
Osiris, and Horus, as well as in eternal life)

• Egyptians were very religious, and this helped

and led to the flourishing of Christianity.

• Even until now, religion is the thread of life for

Egyptians.

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 The Origin of the Word “Copt”

Pharaonic name of Egypt which

means Hak-ka-Ptah
“The house of Ptah”

Gibt or qibt
The Greek translation for Copts
Egyptians
Aigyptos

Arabic/English
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Who are the Copts?

• They are Egyptian Christians

• They are the direct descendants of the Pharaohs.
• They are not Arabs.

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 History of Christianity
in Egypt

• Our Lord visited Egypt with the holy family when He

was fleeing from the face of Herod.

• Was founded by St. Mark the apostle who preached

Christianity to the Egyptians in 48- 50 A.D. and was
martyred in 68 A.D., so it is an apostolic church.

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• Christianity flourished in Egypt quickly among the pagans and Jews, despite
persecution by the Roman emperors.

• In 451 A.D. after the Council of Chalcedon, the Ecclesial division resulted in
the separation of the Egyptian church from the rest of the body and the
official establishment of the “Coptic Orthodox Church” that is known today.

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• In 641 A.D., Muslims invaded and
conquered Egypt. There were only three
options for Christians.

• There was relatively peaceful coexistence

until the 700 AD then inconsistent
relationship until 1300s followed by fierce
persecution till early nineteenth century
(1806).

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• Egypt from 1806 to 1882 was a monarchy, then
it was followed by British occupation from
1882 to 1952. Relatively peaceful.

• Egypt has been a republic since 1952. However,

persecution and discrimination still exist, but
are under cover.

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• The history of the Coptic Church is a history of persecution. Since the
beginning, Christians have been persecuted, first by the Egyptian Pagans then
by the Roman empire, then the Western Church, and finally by Muslims.

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History of the Division

• One church with five patriarchates: Alexandria, Antioch,

Rome, Jerusalem, and Constantinople.
• In 451 A.D., the Council of Chalcedon divided the churches into
Non-Chalcedonian (Egyptian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Indian,
Syrian, and Armenian) and Chalcedonian (the rest of
churches).

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• The Coptic Church was accused of being Monophysite, but it is
Miaphysite, as we believe in two natures of Christ united without
separation or mingling or confusion for a twinkling of an eye.
• In 1054 A.D., the Chalcedonian divided into the Eastern Orthodox
and the Catholic Churches.

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Contributions to
Christianity

• The theological school of Alexandria was one of the most famous of its
time which many well-known theologians attended, including such as
Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and St. Athanasius, who defended the
faith against Arianism.

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• The Leaders of the first three Ecumenical councils. Council of
Nicaea 325 AD, Council of Constantinople in 381 AD and Council
of Ephesus in 431 AD. all came from Egypt.

• Monasticism. St. Anthony, St. Pachomius, and St. Macarius.

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Coptic Orthodox Beliefs

• Trinity. Three persons in one essence.

• Salvation is only through the blood of Christ: we cannot earn it by

works, but we have to keep it by works.

• The whole Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

• Seven Sacraments ( Baptism, Confirmation, Confession, Eucharist,

Unction of the sick, Matrimony, and Priesthood).

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The Coptic Orthodox Practices

• Liturgy.
• Intersession of Saints.
• Coptic music is mainly chanting. There are no
instruments, and it is derived mainly from the ancient
Egyptian chants.
• Coptic Arts and Its Characteristics.
• Coptic year started 284 AD. The reign of Diocletian.

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The Design of Coptic Orthodox Church
From Outside
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The Design of Coptic Orthodox Church
From Inside
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 The Leader of the
Coptic Orthodox Church

• The Coptic church is led by the Holy Synod which consists of the
Pope, who is the head, and Metropolitans and Bishops.

• The current Pope is His Holiness Pope Tawadros II the 118th

patriarch on the see of St. Mark.

• The pope is considered “first among equals,” as there is no

primacy of the Coptic pope.

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St. Simon the Tanner Church

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The Hanging Church. The oldest Church in Egypt

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St Catherine Monastery

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St. Anthony Monastery

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St. Macarius
Monastery

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St. Mina Monastery
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