History of Coptic Orthodoxy

The Coptic Church was established in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 61 A.D. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.), the twentieth Pope of the Coptic Church effectively defended the Doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Divinity at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the title; “Father of Orthodoxy” and St. Athanasius “the Apostolic”.

The term “Coptic” is derived from the Greek “Aigyptos” meaning “Egyptian”. When the Arabs arrived in Egypt in the seventh century, they called the Egyptians “qibt”. Thus the Arabic word “qibt” came to mean both “Egyptians” and “Christians”.

The term “Orthodoxy” here refers to the preservation of the “Original Faith” by the Copts who, throughout the ages, defended the Old Creed against the numerous attacks aimed at it.

The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Trinity: God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, are equal to each other in one unity; and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. Less changes have taken place in the Coptic Church than in any other church whether in the ritual or doctrine aspects and that the succession of the Coptic Patriarchs, Bishops, priests and Deacons has been continuous.

Synaxarion of Pashons 10 (May 18th)

 On this day the church commemorates the departure of the three holy young men: Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael. They were of the tribe of Judah and were exiled by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon and he chose them along with Daniel to serve in his palace. He gave them Chaldean names; Daniel the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abde-Nego.

These young men purposed in their heart that they would not defile themselves with the portion if the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. They asked the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over them:” Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our countenances be examined before you, and the countenances of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” And at the end of the ten days their countenance appeared better than all the young men who ate of the portion of the king’s delicacies. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. The King appointed them governors on all the provinces of Babylon (Daniel 1:8-20)

When they did not worship the image of gold, the king brought them and asked them about that and they confessed that they only worship the true God. He commanded them to be casted in the burning fiery furnace. The Lord came down by Himself, protected them and made the fire as cool as dew although it burnt the men that threw them in the fiery furnace. When the king saw that, he praised and blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and promoted them in the province of Babylon.

When they completed their strife while they were praying, and kneeling down in their home, they gave up their spirits in the hands of the lord. A great earthquake took place in the city. The king was terrified, and was told that the three Hebrew young men had died. The king grieved and ordered to make for them three beds made of ebony, and their bodies be wrapped in apparels made of silk. He also ordered a bed made of gold for himself, so that when he died, they would place him on it among them.

It happened during the days of Pope Theophilus, 23rd Patriarch of Alexandria; he built a church after their names and wanted to relocate their bodies to it. He delegated St. John Colobos (the short) and sent him to Babylon. When he arrived to where the bodies were, he heard a voice from them saying: “The Lord has ordained that our bodies would remain in this place till the day of Resurrection, but because of you labor of love, when you return, say to the Patriarch to fill the oil lamps with oil on the night of the consecration of the church, and the power of God will be revealed. For we will come and lit them and attend the consecration prayer.” Indeed at the beginning of the consecration prayer a great light shone in the church and all the oil lamps (Kandeels) lighted up and the smell of perfumed incense spread. Poper Theophilus saw the three young men walking along with him during the prayers.

The blessing of their prayers be with us all and glory to our God forever. Amen