Our Heritage
About the Coptic Orthodox Church
One of the oldest Christian Churches in the world, founded in the 1st century by St. Mark the Apostle
Who We Are
About the Coptic Orthodox Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian Churches in the world, founded in the 1st century by St. Mark the Apostle, the writer of the Gospel of Mark. From the very beginning, the Church has preserved the apostolic faith — faithfully handed down from Christ through His disciples.
Rooted in Egypt, the word ‘Coptic’ originally means Egyptian, reflecting the Church’s deep historical and cultural heritage. Today, the Coptic Orthodox Church is a global community, serving millions of believers across the world.
Our Beliefs
Our Faith
The Coptic Orthodox Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family of Churches, which includes ancient Christian communities that have preserved the original teachings and traditions of the early Church.
Christology — What We Believe About Christ
The Coptic Orthodox Church is non-Chalcedonian, meaning we did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) because of differences in how the nature of Christ was defined and expressed.
We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully Man, united in one nature without separation, division, or confusion. This understanding preserves the fullness of Christ’s divinity and humanity in perfect unity.
Leadership
Apostolic Leadership
The Church continues today under the leadership of the successor of St. Mark, the Pope of Alexandria.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
He serves as a spiritual father, guiding the Church in faith, unity, and service across the world.
A Living Tradition
A Living Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church is not only ancient — it is alive.
Deep liturgical worship
Rich biblical teaching
Strong spiritual life through prayer, fasting, and sacraments
A vibrant community centered on love, service, and truth
It is also the birthplace of Christian monasticism, first established in the 3rd–4th century through St. Anthony the Great, known as the Father of Monks. From the deserts of Egypt, this movement spread across the world, shaping Christian spirituality in both East and West.
Today, monastic life continues to flourish, with thousands of monks and nuns in the Coptic Church, and millions around the world influenced by this spiritual heritage through various Christian traditions and sister Churches.
From the deserts of Egypt to communities around the globe, the Church continues to witness to Christ in every generation.
The 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya — February 15, 2015
“Let us look at the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic (Universal) Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached and the Fathers kept.”
St. Athanasius of Alexandria