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ABOUT ST.MARY AND POPE KYRILLOS COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE CHRISTIAN COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH CHURCH OF EGYPT
St. Mark the Evangelist and the Apostle
St. Mark the Evangelist and the Apostle
St. Mark the Evangelist and the Apostle
The Preacher for the Land Egypt and considered as the first Pope of the Coptic Church
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
St. Mark the Evangelist and the Apostle
St. Mark the Evangelist and the Apostle
Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle The 118th Patriarch of the Coptic Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is an Ancient Christian, Trinitarian (believes in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit - being one God); Apostolic, Scriptural (Biblical), Traditional, Sacramental Church.
The Origin of the word "Copt"
The word Copt is derived from the Greek word Aigyptos, which was, in turn, derived from "Hikaptah", one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. The modern use of the term "Coptic" describes Egyptian Christians, as well as the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language script. Also, it describes the distinctive art and architecture that developed as an early expression of the new faith.
The Coptic Church
The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero in the first century, a dozen years after the Lord's ascension. He was one of the four evangelists who wrote the oldest canonical gospel. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the New Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 A.D., and a fragment of the gospel of Saint John, written using the Coptic language, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. The Coptic Church which is now more than nineteen centuries old was the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 "In that day there will be an alter to the LORD on the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."
Although fully integrated into the body of the modern Egyptian nation, the Copts have survived as a strong religious entity who pride themselves on their contribution to the Christian world. The Coptic church regards itself as a strong defendant of the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed, which is recited in all churches throughout the world, has been authored by one of its favorite sons, Saint Athanasius, the Pope of Alexandria for 46 years, from 327 A.D. to 373 A.D. This status is well deserved, after all, Egypt was the refuge that the Holy Family sought in its flight from Judea: "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" [Mathew 2:12-23].
Coptic Icon for St. Mary
Contribution of the Coptic Church to Christendom
The contributions of the Coptic Church to Christendom are many. From the beginning, it played a central role in Christian theology---and especially to protect it from Gnostics heresies. The Coptic Church produced thousands of texts and biblical and theological studies which are important resources for archeology. The Holy Bible was translated into the Coptic language in the second century. Hundreds of scribes used to write copies of the Bible and other liturgical and theological books. Now libraries, museums, and universities throughout the world possess hundreds and thousands of Coptic manuscripts.
The Catechetical School of Alexandria is the oldest Catechetical School in the world. Soon after its inception around 190 A.D. by the Christian scholar Pantanaeus, the school of Alexandria became the most important institution of religious learning in Christendom. Many prominent bishops from many areas of the world were instructed in that school under scholars such as Athenahoras, Clement, Didymus, and the great Origen, who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. Origen wrote over 6,000 commentaries of the Bible in addition to his famous Hexapla. Many scholars such as Saint Jerome visited the school of Alexandria to exchange ideas and communicate directly with its scholars. The scope of the school of Alexandria was not limited to theological subjects, because science, mathematics, and the humanities were also taught there: The question-and-answer method of commentary began there, and 15 centuries before Braille, wood-carving techniques were in use there by blind scholars to read and write. The theological college of the Catechetical School of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. Today, it has campuses in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where priests-to-be and other qualified men and women are taught among other subjects Christian theology, history, Coptic language, and art- including chanting, music, iconography, tapestry, etc.
Monasticism was born in Egypt and was instrumental in the formation of the Coptic Church's character of submission and humbleness, thanks to the teachings and writings of the Great Fathers of Egypt's Deserts. Monasticism started in the last years of the third century and flourished in the fourth century. Saint Anthony, The world's first Christian monk was a Copt from Upper Egypt. Saint Pachom, who established the rules of monasticism, was a Copt. And Saint Paul, the world's first anchorite is also a Copt. Other famous Coptic desert fathers include Saint Makarious, Saint Moses the Black, and Saint Mina the wondrous. The more contemporary desert fathers include the late pope Cyril VI and his disciple Bishop Mina Abba Mina. By the end of the fourth century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. Many of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations to this day. All Christian monasticism stems, either directly or indirectly, from the Egyptian example: Saint Basil, organizer of the monastic movement in Asia minor visited Egypt around 357 A.D. and his rule is followed by the Eastern Churches; Saint Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin, came to Egypt around 400 A.D. and left details of his experiences in his letters; Saint Benedict founded monasteries in the sixth century on the model of Saint Pachom but in a stricter form. And countless pilgrims visited the "Desert Fathers" and emulated their spiritual, disciplined lives. There is even evidence that Copts had missionaries to Northern Europe. One example is Saint Moritz of the Theban Legion who was drafted from Egypt to serve under the Roman flag and ended up teaching Christianity to inhabitants of the Swiss Alps, where a small town and a Monastery that contains his relics, as well as some of his books and belongings, are named after him. Another saint from the Theban Legion is Saint Victor, known among Copts as "Boktor".
St. Anthony
Church of Martyrdom
Perhaps the greatest glory of the Coptic Church is its Cross. Copts take pride in the persecution they sustained as early as May 8, 68 A.D., when their Patron Saint Mark was slain on Easter Monday after being dragged from his feet by Roman soliders all over Alexandria's streets and alleys. The Copts have been persecuted by almost every ruler of Egypt.
Their Clergymen have been tortured and exiled even by their Christian brothers after the schism of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. and until the Arab's conquest of Egypt in 641 A.D. To emphasize their pride in their cross, Copts adopted a calendar, called the Calender of the Martyrs, which begins its era on August 29, 284 A.D., in commemoration of those who died for their faith during the rule of Dioceletian the Roman Emperor. This calender is still in use all over Egypt by farmers to keep track of the various agricultural seasons. Till this day the church has martyrs who offer their lives as sacrifices to the Lord, in Lord 2015, 21 Copts were martyred by ISIS in Lybia. Their courage and love to Christ was testimony of how the church has kept the spirit of martyrdom for centuries.
Coptic Icon for the 21 Martyrs of Libya
Church Sacraments, Believes and Traditions
Copts observe seven canonical sacraments: Baptism, Christmation (Confirmation), Eucharist, Confession (Penance), Orders, Matrimony, and Unction of the sick. Baptism is performed few weeks after birth by immersing the whole body of the newborn into especially consecrated water three times. Confirmation is performed immediately after Baptism. Regular confession with a personal priest, called the father of confession, is necessary to to receive the Eucharist. It is customary for a whole family to pick the same priest as a father of confession, thus, making of that priest a family counselor. Of all seven sacraments, only Matrimony cannot be preformed during a fasting season. Polygamy is illegal, even if recognized by the civil law of the land.
There are three main Liturgies in the Coptic Church: The Liturgy according to Saint Basil, Bishop of Caesarea; The Liturgy according Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople; and The Liturgy according to Saint Cyril I, the 24th Pope of the Coptic Church. The bulk of Saint Cyril's Liturgy is one that Saint Mark used (in Greek) in the first century. It was memorized by the Bishops and priests of the church till it was translated into the Coptic Language by Saint Cyril. Today, these three Liturgies, with some added sections (e.g. the intercessions), are still in use; the Liturgy of Saint Basil is one most commonly used in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The worship of Saints is expressly forbidden by the Church; however, asking for their intercessions (e.g. Marian Praise) is central in any Coptic service. Any Coptic Church named after a Patron Saint. Among all Saints, the Virgin Saint Mary (Theotokos) occupies a special place in the heart of all Copts. Her repeated daily appearances in a small Church in Elzaytoun district of Cairo for over a mouth in April of 1968 was witnessed by thousands of Egyptians, both Copts and Muslims and was even broadcast on International TV.
Copts celebrate seven major Holy feasts and seven minor Holy feasts. The major feasts commemorate Annunciation, Christmas, Theophany, Palm Sunday, Easter, Ascension, and the Pentecost. Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. The Coptic Church emphasizes the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) as much as His Advent (Christmas), if not more. Easter is usually on the second Sunday after the first full moon in Spring. The Coptic Calendar of Martyrs is full of other feasts usually commemorating the martyrdom of popular Saints (e.g. Saint Mark, Saint Mina, Saint George, Saint Barbara) from Coptic History.
Coptic Icon for the Resurrection
The Copts have seasons of fasting matched by no other Christian community. Out of the 365 days of the year, Copts fast over 210 days. During fasting, no animal products (meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, butter, etc.) are allowed. Moreover, no food or drink whatsoever may be taken between sunrise and sunset. These strict fasting rules -- which have resulted in a very exquisite Coptic cuisine over the centuries -- are usually relaxed by priests on an individual basis to to accommodate for illness or weakness. Lent, known as "the Great Fast", is largely observed by all Copts. It starts with a pre-Lent fast of one week, followed by a 40-day fast commemorating Christ's fasting on the mountain, followed by the Holy week, the most, the most scared week (called Pascha) of the Coptic Calendar, which climaxes with the Crucifix on Good Friday and ends with the Joyous Easter. Other fasting seasons of the Coptic Church include, the Advent (Fast of the Nativity), the Fast of the Apostles, the Fast of the Virgin Saint Mary, and the fast of Nineveh.
Copts Today
Today there are over 18 million Copts (out of a population of some hundred million Egyptians) who pray and share communion in daily masses in thousands of Coptic Churches in Egypt. This is in addition to another 3 million emigrant Copts who practice their faith in hundreds of churches in United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Brazil, and many other countries in Africa and Asia. Inside Egypt Copts live in every province and in no one of these provinces are they a majority. Their cultural, historical, and spiritual treasures are spread all over Egypt, even in its most remote oasis, the Kharga Oasis, deep in the Western desert. As individuals, Copts have reached prestigious academic and professional stature all over the world. One such individual is Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali the Sixth United Nations Secretary-General (1992-1997). Another Dr. Magdy Yacoub one of the world's most famous heart surgeons.
The Coptic Orthodox Churches clergy is headed by Pope Tawdrous II Pope of Alexandria and Bishops who over see the priests ordained in their Dioceses. In Coptic traditions, Pope and the Bishops most be monks; they are all members of the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod (council), which meets regularly to oversee matters of faith and pastoral care of the Church. The Pope of the Coptic Church, although highly regarded by all Copts, does not enjoy any state of supremacy or infallibility. Today, their are over 110 Coptic Bishops governing diocese inside Egypt as well as diocese outside Egypt, such as in Jerusalem, Sudan, Western Africa, France, England, and the United States. The direct pastoral responsibility of Coptic congregations in any of these dioceses fall on priests, who must be married.
Although Copts have resided in New England and established Coptic Churches since early 1970s, the New York and New England Dioceses was officially established in 2013 by His Holiness Pope Tawdrous II. The foundation of the dioceses was planted in the mid-1970s when numerous Coptic families emigrated to the United States from Egypt under the leadership and guidance of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the time came in 2013 for the official establishment of a diocese under the auspices of His Grace Bishop David.
His Grace Bishop David was consecrated in formal ceremonies taking place in Cairo, Egypt on November 16-17, 2013. Bishop David was formally enthroned on December 7, 2013 at the Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Abraam in Woodbury, Long Island in a ceremony that brought together thousands of the Coptic faithful, clergy, and dignitaries.
His Grace Bishop David - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England
In 1997 the Coptic community in Massachusetts purchased the land of the Vineyard in Charlton, MA and in 1998 H.H. Pope Shenouda III consecrated the Vineyard during his first visit to the Vineyard. During 1998 the initial renovation was completed and a retreat center for the the congregation in MA and across the US was established. Many churches send their youth and their children for retreats in the Vineyard. Over the years the Vineyard Church developed her own congregation and established St. Mary and Pope Kyrillos Coptic Church. The church now has regular services of liturgies, bible studies, hymn classes, choirs, and Sunday school every week.
Daily, in all Coptic Churches all over the world, Copts pray for the reunion of all Christian Churches. They pray for Egypt, its Nile, its crops, its President, its army, its government, and above all its people. They pray for the world's peace and for the well-being of the human race.
Credits, Sources, References, and Addition Information
- Encyclopedia Coptica ( www.coptic.net )
- http://www.nynecopts.org/new-to-orthodoxy
- For an authoritative bibliography consult W. Kammerer, "A Coptic Bibliography", compiled by W. Kammerer with the collaboration of Elinor M. Husselman, and Louise A.Shier, University of Michigan Gerenal Library Publication, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1950, reprinted 1969.
- The Coptic Encyclopedia (8 vols.), edited by Aziz Sourial Atiya, MacMillian, New York, 1989, provides comprehensive coverage of the Coptic church, culture, and history. A web-based version is under construction at: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/col/cce.
- The Coptic Network Archives contain a wealth of articles, pictures, and other materials and a backlog of Copt-Net Newsletters.
- St. Shenouda The Archimandrite Copt Society contains valuable articles and translations of rare manuscripts.
- The Coptologia Journal Archives contains valuable articles and information.
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