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About Us > The Coptic Orthodox Church This ia a brief introduction of the Coptic Church, its origins and faith. History of the Coptic Orthodox Church
St. Mark came to Egypt ushering in the dawn of Christian faith. He arrived in the ancient capital of Egypt, Alexandria, on 61 A.D. The spread of Christianity was remarkable. Pagans were furious and sought St. Mark everywhere. Recognizing the danger, he ordained a bishop (Ananias), three priests and seven deacons to look after the congregation if anything happens to him. He left Alexandria and later went to Rome where he met St. Peter and St. Paul, remained there until their martyrdom in 64 A.D. He returned to Alexandria in 65 A.D. He spent 2 years preaching, performing miracles, ordaining bishops and priests, and winning more converts. St. Mark founded the Christian School of Alexandria. It was the first center in the world for sacred studies in Christianity. The School's primary concerns were biblical studies and teaching the Christian faith. Many prominent bishops from many parts of the world were instructed in this school under Christian scholars such as St. Clement, Didymus, and the great Origen. In 68 AD Easter Day, St. Mark was seized by a mob of heathens and thrown into prison. The vision of an angel appeared to St. Mark saying, "now your hour has come 0' Mark, the good minister, to receive your recompense ... " When the angel disappeared, St. Mark thanked God for sending his angel to him. Suddenly, the Savior himself appeared and said to him "peace be to you, Mark, my disciple and evangelist." On the following morning, he was dragged around the city till death. The Church continued to produce many great Christian leaders throughout the years including St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.). He was the twentieth Pope of the Coptic Church who effectively defended the Doctrine of Christ's Divinity at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He was known as the "Father of Orthodoxy" and "the Apostolic." St. Pachonius, St. Cyril, and others were among the most distinguished figures of the Christian Churches. Monasticism was born in Egypt during the last years of the third century, and it continued to flourish in the fourth century. The world's first Christian monk was a Copt from Egypt by the name of St. Anthony. St. Pachom established rules of monasticism. By the end of the fourth century, there were thousands of cells and caves, and hundreds of monasteries scattered throughout the hills of Egypt. The Arab conquest of Egypt (639~642 AD.) caused a dramatic effect on the country and its Christian faith. The conquest imposed on the land the culture of Islam and the introduction of the Arabic language. The original culture of the nation was brutally suppressed and made illegal. The Coptic Christians were defined as the "infidels," or "non-believers". The Church suffered persecution under the Moslem reign. The Christians were treated like second rated citizens. Special high tax was imposed on the Copts. They suffered from specific limitations, some of which were serious and interfered with their freedom of worship. The Coptic community was treated in a degrading manner and continued to live under Muslim hostility. Eventually the persecution dwindled. The Coptic language went out of use, and Arabic became the predominant language. Faith and Practice Seven Sacraments
Liturgies Fasts The Coptic Church Today We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to grant His Church and faithful followers continued protection for years to come.
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