Our Faith

“The Coptic Orthodox Christian Church is an Apostolic Church founded in the first century by St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist. One of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the Coptic Orthodox Church has made a contribution of great significance to Christendom. From its origins in what is now Egypt, the Coptic Orthodox Church played an important role in the development of Christian monasticism beginning in the fourth century, in the foundation of significant biblical exegetical traditions, and in Christological formulations. Some of the Church’s important theological contributions were made by the Catechetical School of Alexandria and the development of Coptic Orthodox Christianity under Arab rule (beginning in the seventh century).

The Coptic Orthodox Church is a Trinitarian Church which believes in the Holy Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — in one Godhead. 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), then died for us on the Cross in order to free us from slavery to sin and death and thereby granting us Salvation. On the third day, our Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead that He might grant us everlasting life with Him. He ascended to the heavens after forty days, and sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples, as He promised them, on the day of Pentecost.
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 & hymnology).

The Coptic Church is a sacramental church, recognizing that the life of the Orthodox Christian is a mystical one grounded in the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church. Her foremost Mysteries (Sacraments) are: Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, the Holy Eucharist (Communion), Marriage, Priesthood, and Holy Unction or the Anointing of the Sick.
Being a living and organic body, the Coptic Orthodox Church has of course changed over the centuries with regards to language, culture, and certain ritual practices, however, despite centuries of turmoil and periods of persecution, she has preserved the Holy Faith in terms of its dogmatic and theological teachings as it has been handed down from Christ to His holy Disciples and Apostles and throughout the ages.”

We believe in one God, God the Father the Pantocrator (Almighty) who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended to the heavens; He sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.

Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.

And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.

You can also watch this video about the Coptic church;

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II

Pope Tawadros II

Pope Tawadros II

The leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is known as “Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle”. The Successor of St. Mark the Evangelist, Holy Apostle and Martyr, on the Holy Apostolic Throne of the Great City of Alexandria. The current holder of this position is Pope Tawadros II, who was selected as the 118th pope on November 18, 2012.