Coptic Orthodox Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church considers itself to be a worship-loving church. They describe their worship as limitless rich in theology and rites, and believe they reach deep into the soul and shake the hearts and the emotions of their members making them a credit towards the Kingdom of God. The worship in the Coptic Orthodox Church represents a living part of the ecclesiastical life which reacts with the Holy bible, doctrine, faith, and ascetic life which all leads to the life in Christ. This way of life is offered to every member of the church, and is not limited to just the priests and monks.
Everyone participates in worship in the Coptic Orthodox Church. The spirit of public worship is practiced at home as a personal worship which gives thanks and praise. The feasts of the Coptic Orthodox Church are considered unlimited and are on any given day as well as Sunday’s and include the weekly, monthly and yearly feasts.
The term Coptic is used to describe Egyptian Christians. The word Copt is derived from the Greek word “Aigyptos”, which was derived from “Hikaptah” which is one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is established on the teachings of Saint Mark. They believe Saint Mark, author of the Gospel of Mark, brought Christianity to Alexandria, Egypt during the reign of the Nero, the Roman emperor, after the Ascension of Jesus. They base this on New Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which dates around 200 A.D. They also found a fragment of the Gospel of Saint John that was written in the Coptic language.
The Nicene Creed was authored by Saint Athanasius who was the Pope of Alexandria from 327 A.D. to 373 A.D. The Coptic Orthodox Church put much theological and personal pride in the fact the Holy family sought refuge when Jesus was a baby and they fled to Egypt (Matthew 2:12-23).
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the founders of the World Council of Churches and has been a member since 1948. The aim of the Coptic Orthodox Church is to resolve the theological differences with the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, and the Evangelical Churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church prays daily for the reunion of all Christian Churches, for world’s peace. They pray for Egypt, the Nile, the crops, for the government of Egypt, the army and the president and people of Egypt.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is headed by the Pope of Alexandria and Bishops whose job it is to oversee the priests ordained in their dioceses. The Pope and the Bishops must be monks and members of the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod. They meet regularly to administer matters of faith and the pastorship of the Churches.
The Coptic Orthodox Church does not believe their Pope is infallible nor is he held in superiority. The responsibility of the Coptic congregations falls on the priests and they must be married attend the Catechetical School before being ordained.
History
The Coptic Orthodox Church history is encircled in Egyptian history. The term Copts refers to the Christian Egyptian to distinguish them from the native Muslims. The Copts are the successors of the ancient Egyptians and are characterized as modern sons of the Pharaohs. The Egyptian intellect was engaged in the world to come, and in the resurrection. When they were converted to Christianity, the Egyptians became involved in waiting for the advent of the Risen Christ.
The Coptic Orthodox Church or the Church of Alexandria is called “See of St. Mark”. Saint Mark is considered to be the founder of the Coptic Church, one of the seventy Apostles (Mark 10:10), and one of the first Egyptian martyrs.
The Book of Acts refers to the Jews of Egypt that were present at the Pentecost (Acts 2:9-13). Apollos, a Jew born in Alexandria, is also mentioned in the Book of Acts and was an eloquent man who preached with great spiritual earnestness that Jesus was the expected Christ. (Acts 18:24-28).
The Coptic Orthodox Church claims the tower of Babel was in Egypt and represented disobedience to God, violence, vain glory, and opposition to God through His believers who were the result of the Babylonian captivity, adultery and abominations. They claim Egypt was a symbol of loving the short-lived things and trusting in human hands.
Egypt was a refuge in times of famine both Abraham and Joseph. Joseph became second in command under Pharaoh, who offered crops to all the neighboring countries. The father of Joseph, Jacob and his sons, came to Egypt where they grew as a nation. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims Egypt was the birth place for the people of God. They claim Moses, the great prophet and his brother Aaron was the first chief priest that appeared in Egypt to grant them freedom. The Coptic Orthodox Church claim Egypt became a representative of the Gentiles to whom Christ came to establish His church and form His new people.
The Coptic Orthodox Church and St. Cyril the Great interprets the burden of Egypt as spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 19:1 as being “The glittering cloud which carried the child Jesus to Egypt was His mother, St. Mary, who suppressed the cloud in purity. The altar which was established in the midst of the land of Egypt is the Christian church which had replaced the temples of paganism as the idols collapsed and the temples were deserted in the presence of the Lord Jesus.”
The Coptic Orthodox Church has listed the stations where the Holy Family took shelter after they left Bethlehem on its way to Egypt through Sinai. They claim they followed the Southern Caravan way along the Mediterranean coast, passing through Gaza-Raphia (Rafah)-Rhinocolura, which is now El-Arish, and then to Ostrakini. The last station for the Holy Family in Sinai was Pelusium, which is now Al-Farma, which is located between El-Arish and Port-Said and which is considered the key entrance to Egypt from the eastern side. They claim after Pelusium the Holy Family crossed to Bubastis, which is not Tel-Basta, where the Coptic Orthodox Church claims the Holy Family rested under a tree, and a spring of water erupted, from which the Holy Family used to drink which has since healed many from their sickness. The Coptic Orthodox Church alleges the pagan statues began to collapse soon after the Holy Family resided in the city. According to the Coptic Orthodox Church this angered the pagan priest and the Holy Family was forced to leave to the outskirts of the city.
The Coptic Orthodox Church professes the Holy Family proceeded to Bilbais, then to Miniat-Genah, which is now Miniat Samanoud, crossing the River Nile to Samanoud and from there to Borolos. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims the Holy Family crossed the River Nile to the Western bank to Sakha, and then they traveled westward along Wadi-el-Natroun, which is the Natroun Valley, south of the “Sheheet” widerness. This wilderness became a paradise of monks and earthly angels according to the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The Coptic Orthodox Church declares the Holy Family traveled to Heliopolis, to a district called “Mataryah,” where they took shelter under a tree, known as the “St. Virgin Mary Tree.” They claim it is taking care of this same tree which is still blossoming despite its old age. Near this tree is a spring of water where balsam plants are still growing. These plants are added to the ointments used to make the Holy Chrism which is the oil for confirmation.
The Coptic Orthodox Church claims the Holy Family traveled to Old Cairo. The St Virgin Mary’s Church a nunnery which is both located at Zwayla lane. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims there is a cave in Babylon in Old Cairo where there is an altar and a niche. They claim the cave probably is where the Holy family used as a place for the Child Jesus to sleep. They also claim there is a church over the cave built in the fourth Century which is known as the St. Sergius Church. According to their tradition, the idols of the pagan temples began to collapse and the pagan priests became very angry and forced the Holy Family out of the city.
The Coptic Orthodox Church claims the Holy Family crossed the River Nile to Upper Egypt and headed east to Bahnassa which is near Beni-Mazar. From there they claimed the Holy Family crossed to the eastern bank, where they stopped at Gabal-el-Tair which is Mount of Birds near Samalout. The Holy Family was then supposed to have gone to Ashmounin near Malawi. They report the Holy Family traveled to Qoussieh where stone idols reportedly fell before Jesus, angering the people. The Holy Family escaped to the village Mirah which is now Mir. It was at the village Mirah and at the Qousqam Mountain when according to the Coptic Orthodox Church that the Spirit revealed to the Holy Family to return to Jerusalem.
The Coptic Orthodox Church reports the return trip of the Holy Family took them to the South up to Assyout Mountain where they took shelter for a while in a cave known now as St. Virgin Monastery at Assiout. Their accounts describe St. Virgin Mary’s Closet at El-Ezrawia as the place the Holy Family passed by a watermelon farm where seeds had just been sown. St. Joseph asked the farmer to tell the soldiers, who were chasing them, that the Holy Family passed by his farm at the time when he was sowing his seeds. Two days later, when the soldiers arrived at the farm, the watermelon had blossomed and some fruits were visible. This made the soldiers believe that the Holy Family had passed by this place several months before. Therefore the soldiers slowed down the chase after the Holy Family.
The Coptic Orthodox Church also reports while the Holy Family was crossing the Nile to Gabal-el-Tair a huge rock from the Mountain was about to fall on their boat. St. Mary was afraid but her Son – who has power over nature – stretched His hand and prevented the rock from falling, and allegedly left his palm print on it. Queen Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, ordered that a church should be built at that place.
The Coptic Orthodox Church claims St. Mark established the church based on his teachings. They claim the lion is the symbol of St. Mark. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims the Gospel of Mark describes John the Baptist as a lion roaring in the desert. They also shared this story with the lion, as related to the Coptic Orthodox Church by Severus Ebn-El-Mokafa: “Once a lion and a lioness appeared to John Mark and his father Arostalis while they were traveling in Jordan. The father was very frightened and begged his son to escape, while he awaited his fate. John Mark assured his father that Jesus Christ would save them, and began to pray. The two beasts fell dead and as a result of this miracle, the father believed in Christ, and died shortly thereafter”. The Coptic Orthodox Church cite Mark 1:3 to prove the lion is the symbol of St. Mark. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”. Mark 1:3).
The Coptic Orthodox Church claims St. Mark left Rome and went to Petapolis, where they believe St. Mark was born. They claim St. Mark traveled to Egypt, through the Oasis, the desert of Libya, Upper Egypt, and then he entered Alexandria. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims on his arrival, the strap of his sandal was loose. According to their accounts, St. Mark went to a cobbler named Ananias to mend his sandal. Ananias accidentally pierced his hand and St. Mark healed the hand of Ananias and was taken home where St. Mark baptized both Ananias and his family. According to the Coptic Orthodox Church St, Mark ordained Ananias as a Bishop.
According to the Coptic Orthodox Church St. Mark was seized, dragged with a rope through the main streets of the city of Baucalis in 68 A.D. Apparently heathens gathered in the Serapis temple at Alexandria and descended on the Christians who were celebrating Easter. St. Mark was thrown into prison where according to their tradition, St. Mark was cheered by the vision of an angel who strengthened him and told St. Mark he was a good minister, his hour has come for him to receive his recompense, and that his name would be written in the Book of Life. St. Mark saw the Savior who called Mark His disciple and evangelist. The next day St. Mark was dragged around the city until he died.
The Coptic Orthodox Church credits St. Mark with establishing the school of Alexandria, writing the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist and the Gospel according to St. Mark. They claim St. Mark preached in Egypt, his home town of Pentapolis, Asia Minor, Judea and Italy. St. Mark also is credited with ordaining bishops priests and deacons according to the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Belief
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes God is love and is neither an idea nor a Supreme Being isolated from mankind out of the world. They believe He is the Lover of mankind and grants mankind His divine knowledge to enjoy. They believe God reveals Himself to attract children to their true Father and to give immortality and eternal glorification.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes God created man in His image. They believe God spoke to mankind through nature (Romans 1:20). They believe the Incarnate Son came to enlighten their inner life and to set His Kingdom within them. They believe the Son of God came to reveal the mystery of God, the Lover and Savior of men. They believe His revelation has its effect on our nature and eternal future.
They believe the Holy Spirit is the Life, and the Father is the Being. This being is not separated from life but is life. They believe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separated nor did they exist before one another.
They believe faith is an experience of the One God, Lover of mankind. They believe that Old and New Testaments confirm the belief in the one God. They believe the Old Testament deals with viewpoints that are aimed to keep the believers away from idols and practicing the abominations of nations that accompanied paganism while the New Testament is the witness to the One God that declares the oneness of God and deepens faith in God and reveals the Trinitarian faith.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes the Holy Bible is a discovery of the incarnate Word of God. They believe the Lord Jesus Christ is hidden behind every word and leads believers to experience the communion with the Father through Him by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is believed by the Coptic Orthodox Church to be an encounter with God and an interaction with Him in a spirit of worship and piety. They believe the Holy bible is an experience of worship.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes in seven canonical sacraments. They are: Baptism, Confirmation called Christmation, Confession, Eucharist, Orders, Matrimony, and Unction of the sick. Baptism is performed a few weeks after birth of the newborn by full immersion. The Coptic Orthodox Church thinks believers receive the rebirth in baptism, and then becomes a new creation in Christ. Confirmation, called Christmation, is performed immediately after Baptism. The church has regular confession with a personal priest and he is called the father of confession. Confession is necessary to receive the Eucharist. Matrimony cannot be performed during a fasting season.
The Coptic Orthodox Church has seasons of fasting that are stricter than any other Christian community. They fast for over 210 days each year. They cannot have any animal products such as milk, eggs, butter, fish poultry or meat. There is no food or drink that is taken between sunrise and sunset. The priest is the only one who can relax these strict fasting rules based on illness or weakness.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes the church dwell in the heart of the Bible, the church is the object of the redemption which the Bible proclaims. They believe God purchased the church at the cost of the Blood of Christ. (Acts 20:28). They believe you have to understand the Church to understand the relationship between God and man and the divine plan of salvation, the Fatherhood of God, the kingdom of Christ, the works of the Holy Spirit, and the means of grace.
They believe the church is the Mother of Believers, the body of Christ, and the birth of Christ the church is waiting for her Christ who will come to perform His eternal spiritual marriage with her as Christ is the Bridegroom. The Coptic Orthodox Church believes the church is the dwelling place of Christ and the house of faith and the house of salvation, the community of love, and the icon of Heaven.
They believe in heavenly angels as stated throughout all the books of the Bible from Genesis to the Revelations. Believers who receive the official pledge of surety to receive heavenly life, wait for beings in the likeness of angels. They chant hymns with the angels, blessing them, requesting their prayers, and setting feast in their names.
The Coptic Orthodox Church portray angels alone, or in their icons, presenting events of the life of Christ, or in the icons of saints with angels holding crowns on top of the heads of saints. These icons indicate the accessibility of Heaven to the believers.
Believers struggle to attain their resemblance to angels. The “Doxology of Morning” the Coptic Orthodox Church sings “Hail to the church, the house of the angels”. The Coptic Orthodox Church defines itself as a place of meetings of angels and a place for the Cherubim and the Seraphim. They believe angels are ministering spirits who are sent to minister for those who will inherit salvation. They think believers are loved by angels and serve them for their salvation. The Coptic Orthodox Church finds heavenly joy that is associated with angels, and the church is involved in eternal glory and the communion with the heavenly creatures.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes the early church received a new understand of the Old Testament from Christ. They believe through tradition that Christians accepted the books of the New Testament as the inspired word of God, which was before they were canonized by the Church. They also believe tradition was the basis of the teachings of the Apostles. The Coptic Orthodox Church believes the Holy Scriptures are part of the Church tradition. They believe tradition is the mystery of the growth of the church.
Major Feasts
The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrate seven major feasts which are the Sabbath celebrated on Saturday of every week, the first day of every month, the Seventh Year, the Year of Jubilee, the Passover, the feast of the weeks which is Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles which is the feast of Harvest. The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Purim and the Feast of Dedication which was added after the Babylonian exile. The Coptic Orthodox Church endeavors to instill the spirit of joy and gladness in the lives of the believers and to remember the promises of God. Every day is considered a feast day to the Coptic Church. They believe the church is capable to rise above tribulation with the help of the Lord.
Major Feasts of the Lord
The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates seven major feasts of the Lord: The Annunciation where the church recalls the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and the coming of the Word of God incarnated in the Virgin’s womb. The Nativity of Christ which is Christmas celebrated on January 7th and confirms the divine love when God sent His Only begotten Son incarnate. He restored to humanity the honor of the church, and sanctified their daily life, offering His life as a Sacrifice on our behalf. Next is the Epiphany or the Baptism of Christ on January 19th. Then comes Palm Sunday when the Church commemorates the entrance of Lord Jesus into their inward Jerusalem to establish His Kingdom in all who gather in Him. Easter is the Coptic Orthodox Churches Passover following the 55 days of Lent and is considered by the Coptic Church as the Feast. The Ascension is the celebration the Coptic Church recalls Him who raises and lifts up the believers to sit with Him in heaven. Lastly is Pentecost which represent the birthday of the Christian Church.
They believe the Only Begotten Son paid the price for the salvation of the Church through His crucifixion. He then ascended into Heaven to prepare a place for the life of the Church. They believe the Holy Spirit was sent into the Church, offering its existence, guidance, sanctification and adornment as the Heavenly Bride. The church chants hymns and is joyful with the resurrection of Christ, His ascension and the dwelling of His Holy Spirit in the Church.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Coptic Orthodox Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2666,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Coptic Orthodox Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2666,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Coptic Orthodox Church:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2666, (accessed).
