Coptic Orthodox Church

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Coptic Orthodox Church
The Coptic cross
Classification	Oriental Orthodoxy
Orientation	Eastern Christianity
Theology	Miaphysitism
Polity	Episcopal polity
Pope	Pope Tawadros II
Language	Coptic, Arabic
Liturgy	Coptic Rite
Headquarters	Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt
Founder	Saint Mark the Evangelist
Origin	AD 42 Alexandria, Egypt
Separated from	Church of Alexandria
Members	10–20 million

The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world, with its origins tracing back to Saint Mark the Evangelist in the first century AD. It is part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches and is primarily based in Egypt, with a significant diaspora community worldwide.

History

The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded by Saint Mark the Evangelist around AD 42 in the city of Alexandria, which was a major center of early Christianity. The church played a crucial role in the development of early Christian theology and monasticism. The Council of Chalcedon in AD 451 led to a schism between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches due to differences in Christological doctrine.

Theology

The Coptic Orthodox Church adheres to Miaphysitism, which holds that in the one person of Jesus Christ, divinity and humanity are united in one "nature" (physis) without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration. This is distinct from the Dyophysitism of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, which profess two natures, one divine and one human.

Liturgy

The liturgical tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church is known as the Coptic Rite. The primary language of the liturgy is Coptic, although Arabic is also widely used. The liturgy is characterized by its rich use of hymns, prayers, and readings from the Bible.

Leadership

The spiritual leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church is the Pope, who is based in Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt. The current Pope is Pope Tawadros II, who has held the position since 2012.

Monasticism

Monasticism has a significant place in the Coptic Orthodox Church, with its roots going back to the early Christian monastic communities in the deserts of Egypt. Notable figures such as Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Pachomius are considered pioneers of Christian monasticism.

Related Pages

• Oriental Orthodoxy
• Eastern Christianity
• Miaphysitism
• Saint Mark the Evangelist
• Council of Chalcedon
• Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria
• Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Cairo)
• Coptic language
• Coptic Rite
• Saint Anthony the Great
• Saint Pachomius