The Coptic Orthodox Christians are a religious group that has long been associated with great saints. They are also known for their rich and varied history, and they were a major contributor to Christianity as a whole. This article explores their origins, the diaspora, and some of the prominent figures in their history. It also discusses their relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church and other major Christian churches around the world.
Origins
The origins of Coptic Orthodox Christians can be traced back to the Apostle Mark. This early Christian missionary worked with Paul in Rome, and then later, in Egypt. He wrote the Gospel of Mark, and is seen as the founder of the church.
Many Coptic Christians became persecuted during the Roman Empire. They also suffered during the Arab conquest of Egypt, which turned freedom into a bondage. Despite this, Coptic Orthodox Christians have survived and continue to grow.
Coptic Christianity is believed to be one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. During the 5th century, many monasteries emerged in Egypt. Some monasteries are still active today.
Although Coptic Christianity was once a member of the Orthodox church, the Coptic Church was split from the rest of the Orthodox world at the Council of Chalcedon. During the Council, Copts disagreed with the Christological formulation of the council. Most Copts rejected Monophysitism, a belief that Jesus was not both God and man.
Patriarchs
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is a Trinitarian and conciliar church. It was founded by Saint Mark the evangelist in the middle of the first century.
The Church of Alexandria has a long history and a remarkable impact on all Christendom. A moderate estimate puts the number of Coptic members at well over thirty million. However, published statistics are difficult to come by.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is one of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Its jurisdiction includes Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Tanzania. In addition, it has daughter churches in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Currently, it is presided over by Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.
While the Coptic Church was not as prominent in Western scholarship as many other Christian churches, it had a large impact on the faith. During the fourth and fifth centuries, hundreds of monasteries were erected in the deserts of Egypt. This monasticism contributed to the character of the Church.
Saints of international renown
There are several Saints of international renown among Coptic Orthodox Christians. These saints lived in the first century and helped form the Christian Church. They were renowned for their piety and spirituality. Some were also renowned for their evangelic work.
These saints include Origen, a Christian teacher. He studied the Bible and prepared people for baptism. His life was an example of exemplary evangelic practice. He was appointed dean of the School when he was 18 years old by Saint Dimitrius, Pope of Alexandria.
Father Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos is credited with launching the Orthodox missionary movement in Africa. He preached the Gospel in vernacular and attended to social concerns. As a result of his zeal, he evangelized Africans with holiness. In 1963, he started a missionary society in Uganda. This movement is now known as the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity.
Theologians from Alexandria played a positive role in solving theological problems and were among the first ecumenical councils. They helped reaffirm the divinity of Christ and formulated the Nicene Creed.
Church in the diaspora
While Coptic Christians are mainly located in Egypt, they are also a growing diaspora community in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The emergence of new communities has been a factor in the ongoing expansion of the Coptic Orthodox Church around the world.
In recent years, new waves of Coptic migration have led to an increased number of Orthodox faithful in the diaspora. These immigrants have committed to permanent settlement in a foreign country, and have built deep roots in the new countries. Yet, these diaspora communities have been poorly understood. Until now, existing scholarship on the diaspora has focused primarily on communities in North America, Australia, and England.
One of the most important questions about the Orthodox diaspora is whether the Church can or should be active in this community. This is particularly important in light of the tension between the Egyptian state and the church leadership. Some generations feel deeply connected to the Church in their native country, while others have no contact with Egypt.
