Coptic Orthodox Church History

The Coptic Orthodox Church

• The Coptic Orthodox Church is an Egyptian church with "Coptic" meaning "Egyptian" and "Orthodox" meaning straight in faith.

St. Mark the Apostle

• Preached Christianity to the Copts, who remained faithful in the faith, holding fast to the teachings, rites, and Holy Tradition received from him.

Early Centuries of the Church

• Many heresies arose due to incorrect interpretation of Bible verses, leading to the need for councils to discuss and refute them.
• Two types of councils: Local or provincial councils and Ecumenical councils.
• The Coptic Orthodox Church recognizes 3 ecumenical councils:
  • The Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
  • The Council of Constantinople (381 AD)
  • The Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

Pope Dioscorus Defends the Faith

• Presided over the Second Council of Ephesus (449 AD) to look into the teaching of Eutychus.
• Eutychus taught that the humanity of Christ was not similar to our humanity and was consumed by His divine nature.
• Pope Dioscorus defended the Orthodox teaching that the Lord Jesus' incarnate nature is one nature out of two, without mingling, confusion, or alteration.

The Second Council of Ephesus

• Held to look into Eutychus' request to be returned to the church after being excommunicated.
• Decisions of the Council:
  • Restored Eutychus to the Church after his declaration of the true Orthodox faith.
  • Excommunicated Flavian of Constantinople due to his Nestorian belief.
  • Later, Eutychus returned to his initial false teachings and was anathematized.

The Council of Chalcedon

• Reason for the Council: The Bishop of Rome did not accept the results of the Second Council of Ephesus.
• Decisions of the Council:
  • Canceled the decisions of the Second Council of Ephesus.
  • Gave absolution to Flavian of Constantinople.
  • Excommunicated Eutychus despite his confession of the Nicene Creed.
  • Excommunicated Pope Dioscorus and sent him to exile after accusing him of believing in Eutychus' heresy.

Consequences of the Council of Chalcedon

• Led to a schism in the Church, splitting the Church into Chalcedonian and Non-Chalcedonian Churches.
• The Non-Chalcedonian 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 (Malankara Orthodox Church)
• The Chalcedonian Churches are mainly the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Pope Dioscorus

• Place of birth: Alexandria
• Length of papacy: 10 years, 1 month, and 9 days
• Departure: Departed while in exile on the island of Gangra on the 7th of Thoout.
• Defended the faith against heresies and divisions of the church.
• Faced the emperor and empress, expressing the true Orthodox faith, leading to his exile and mistreatment.