Coptic Orthodox Church History

Coptic Orthodox Church

• The Coptic Orthodox Church is an Egyptian Church, and "Orthodox" means straight in faith.
• The Church was preached by St. Mark the Apostle and has remained faithful to the teachings, rites, and Holy Tradition.

Early Centuries of the Church

• Many heresies arose due to incorrect interpretations of Bible verses, leading to the need for ecumenical councils.
• The ecumenical councils were gatherings of bishops from all the original Apostolic Churches to discuss and refute heresies and confirm the true Orthodox faith.

Coptic Orthodox Church's Recognized Ecumenical Councils

• The Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
• The Council of Constantinople (381 AD)
• The Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

The Second Council of Ephesus (449 AD)

• The council was called by Emperor Theodosius II to look into the teachings of Eutychus, an archimandrite in Constantinople.
• Eutychus fell into heresy while trying to refute the Nestorian heresy, teaching that the humanity of Christ was consumed by His divine nature.
• Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria presided over the council, and Eutychus was restored to the Church after confessing the true Orthodox faith.
• However, Eutychus returned to his false teachings and was anathematized.

The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

• The council was called by Emperor Marcian based on a request from the Bishop of Rome.
• Pope Dioscorus attended and defended the true Orthodox faith, but the council ultimately cancelled the decisions of the second council of Ephesus.
• The council gave absolution to Flavian of Constantinople and excommunicated Eutychus and Pope Dioscorus.
• The Coptic Orthodox Church does not acknowledge the council of Chalcedon nor its decisions.

Pope Dioscorus

• Pope Dioscorus was born in Alexandria and served as Pope for 10 years, 1 month, and 9 days.
• He fought against heresies and divisions of the church, and his departure led to a 1-year vacancy in the See of St. Mark.
• Pope Dioscorus was exiled to the island of Gangra, where he eventually departed on the 7th of Thoout.

The Schism of the Church

• The council of Chalcedon led to the splitting of the whole church into Chalcedonian and Non-Chalcedonian Churches.
• The Non-Chalcedonian Churches, also known as the Oriental Orthodox Churches, are:
  • The Church of Alexandria (The Coptic Church)
  • The Armenian Church
  • The Ethiopian Church
  • The Eritrean Church
  • The Syriac Church
  • The Indian Orthodox Church (also known as Malankara Orthodox Church)
• The Chalcedonian Churches are the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.