“…On one hand, its theology is based on nothing outside the scriptures. On the other hand, the doctrines agree in all parts with those of the Early Church i.e. the tradition which has the proper interpretation and application of the teachings of our Lord and the Apostles as understood and practiced by the Christians and the leaders of the Church during the period of the One Universal Church until the division of 451 A.D.”
Bishop Athanasius of Ben-Swef and Bahnassa (1977)
The Coptic Church was established in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 43 A.D. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.), the twentieth Pope of the Coptic Church effectively defended the Doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Divinity The Coptic Orthodox Church traces its foundation to St. Mark the Evangelist, who is traditionally believed to have brought the Christian faith to Alexandria in the first century, around 43 A.D. From its earliest days, the Church has maintained continuity in worship, doctrine, and apostolic leadership.
A central part of the Church’s faith is the Nicene Creed, which expresses the belief in one God and the Orthodox understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ. In the fourth century, St. Athanasius, the twentieth Patriarch of Alexandria, played a major role in defending the divinity of Christ during the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Because of his steadfast teaching, he is honored as a key figure in preserving Orthodox doctrine.
The Name “Coptic”
The word “Coptic” has its roots in the Greek term referring to Egypt. Over time, especially after the arrival of Arabic language and culture in Egypt in the seventh century, the term evolved to refer both to Egyptians in general and to Egyptian Christians in particular. Today, “Coptic” identifies the native Christian Church of Egypt and its faithful.
The Meaning of Orthodoxy
In this context, “Orthodoxy” refers to the preservation of the original Christian faith as it was received from the Apostles and the early Church. The Coptic Orthodox Church understands itself as continuing this unbroken tradition of faith, worship, and teaching through the centuries.
Faith and Understanding of Christ
The Coptic Orthodox Church confesses faith in the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in essence, yet distinguished in three real and eternal Persons who share the same divine nature.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God, the Only Begotten Son of the Father, fully divine and fully human. His divinity and humanity are united in one reality without confusion, separation, or division. This is expressed in the Miaphysite understanding of Christ, meaning that after the Incarnation, the divine and human natures are united in one united nature of the Word made flesh.
This belief is distinct from the idea that Christ has only a single nature or that His divinity and humanity are separated. Instead, the Church teaches that Christ is fully God and fully man in a true and inseparable unity.
Continuity of the Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church places strong emphasis on preserving its original teachings, worship practices, and liturgical life with minimal alteration over the centuries. It maintains a continuous line of patriarchs, bishops, priests, and deacons, all of whom serve within the same apostolic tradition handed down from generation to generation.
The Orthodox Creed
We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages.
Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not created; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures.
Ascended into the heavens; He sits at the right hand of His Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son, is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
And in one holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism, for the remission of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.