COPTIC ORTHODOXY
Our religion is so rich in rites and traditions, learn more about what sets a part from other denominations of christianity.
What Does "Coptic" Mean?
The term “Coptic” is equivalent to the word “Egyptians.” It is derived from the Greek “Aigyyptos,” which in turns is derived from the ancient Egyptian “Ha-ka-Ptah,” i.e. “the house of the spirit Ptah,” a most highly revered deity in Egyptian mythology. From the Arab conquest and until today, This term refers to the Christian Egyptians to distinguish them from the native Muslims.
The Beginning
The Coptic Orthodox Christian Church is an Apostolic Church founded in the first century by St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist, who preached around 40-68 AD and who wrote one of the four canonical gospels. One of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the Coptic Orthodox Church has made contributions of great significance to Christendom. The Coptic Orthodox Church played an important role in early Christian theological learning, in the development of Christian monasticism beginning in the fourth century, and in the defense during Ecumenical Councils of certain Christological formulations.
Our Beliefs
The Coptic Orthodox Church is a Trinitarian Church which believes in the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - as one God. The Church proclaims that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, was incarnate and born of the Holy Virgin Saint Mary (Theotokos, or Mother of God), and died for us on the Cross in order to free us from slavery to sin and death, thereby granting us salvation. The Orthodox Church grounds herself in the following sources of tradition: Holy Scripture (the Bible); Liturgical Life; the Creeds and Canons produced by the Ecumenical councils; the Writings of the Church Fathers and Lives of Saints; and Church Art (e.g. iconography, architecture, music).