The term "Coptic" is derived from the Greek "Aigyptos" meaning "Egyptian". when the Arabs arrived in Egypt in the seventh century, they called the Egyptians "qibt". Thus, the Arabic word "qibt" came to mean both "Egyptians" and "Christians" .
The term "Orthodox" here refers to the preservation of the "Original Faith" by the Copts who, throughout the ages, defended the Old Creed against the numerous attacks aimed at it.
The Coptic Church was established in the name of Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 43 A.D. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. It is worth mentioning here that St. Athanasius, the head of the Nicene council, was the twentieth Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt. It was St. Athanasius who participated in the formulation of the ATHANASIAN CREED, also known as the Orthodox Creed.
Alexandria was one of the greatest commerial centers and a great center of learning in the Ancient World. Long before Christianity, Alexandria was famous for its library, which included millions of valuable papyrus scrolls. In the old days, Alexandria was considered the seat of higher learning and scholarship.
The famous THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF ALEXANDRIA, with its leading theologians, philosophers, scholars and teachers was established in Alexandria in the first century of Christianity. By the fourth century, Alexandria became the seat of Christian learning for the entire world.
Egypt is the only land in the world to be blessed and honored by a long visit of the Holy Family: "When he {Joseph} arose, he took the young Child {Jesus} and His mother {Mary} by night, and departed into Egypt. And remained there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying, out of Egypt have I called My Son" {Matt. 2:14-15}. Let us also remember the prophecy: "blessed be my people Egypt" {Isaiah l5:24}; and "On that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt" {Isaiah 19:15}; and "Behold the Lord rides upon a swift cloud and shall come to Egypt" {Isaiah 15:1}.
It is important to bear in mind the fact that less change has taken place in the Church of Egypt than in any other church, both in ritual and doctrine, and that the succession of Coptic Patriarchs, Bishops, Priests and Deacons has been continuous. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117 Successor of St. Mark, is the present pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. The Coptic Church is a deeply spiritual and conservative church where people do not want to change any of the sacred rituals, doctrines or principles of the mother church as handed down to them by the founding fathers of the church in the early centuries of Christianity. The student of ancient church history should look to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt for an authentic glimpse of the past.
The Copts pride themselves on the APOSTOLICITY of their church and on their saints, theologians and scholars, who are counted among the most distinguished figures of the Christian Church. The Coptic Church boasts that the first Prelate in the history of Christendom to be enthroned as Pope was the third century Coptic Patriarch Heraclas and that St. Anthony the Great {250-350 A.D.} is the father of monasticism in Christianity.
The Coptic Church recognizes seven sacraments: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, PENH HOLY COMMUNION, THE UNCTION OF THE SICK, MATRIMONY, and THE HOLY ORDERS.
The Orthodox Christians of Egypt, the Sudan and Ethiopia are the main followed of the Creed of the Coptic Orthodox Church. More and more people are joining the Coptic Church in other places of the world, particularly in Africa. Currently the Coptic Orthodox Church is taking an active role in the World Council of Churches.
