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 “qipt” 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 Church was established in the name of Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 43 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 Christ’s Divinity at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the title; “Father of Orthodoxy” and St. Athanasius “the Apostolic”.
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 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.
The Coptic Orthodox Church recognizes the Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion (Eucharist), Penance, Marriage, Unction of the Sick and Holy Orders.
The Copts pride themselves on the Apostolicity of their church and on the fact that Egypt is the only land in the world to be honored and blessed by the visit by the Holy Family. The Copts also pride themselves on their Egyptian saints, theologians and scholars, who are counted among the most distinguished figures of the Christian Churches such as Origen in 185 A.D.; St. Clement 211; St. Antony the Great 250; St. Pachomius 290; St. Athanasius 296; St. Macarius 300; St. Cyril 377 just to mention a few.
The Coptic Church has always felt a mandate to reconcile “semantic differences” between all Christian churches”. This is aptly expressed by H. H., Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark when he said, “To the Coptic Church, faith is more important than anything. People must know that semantics and terminology are of little importance to us”.
Since the middle of the 20th century, the Coptic Church has played an important role in the ecumenical movement. The Coptic Church is one of the founders of the “World Council of Churches”. The Coptic Church is also a member of the African Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches.
The number of the Coptic Church members in Egypt alone is approximately 10,000,000 members. There are around 1.5 million Coptic immigrants living in The United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Neno "Coptic" linatokana na neno la Kigiriki "Aigyptos" linalomaanisha "Mmisri". Waarabu walipofika Misri katika karne ya saba, waliwaita Wamisri <unk>qibt<unk>. Hivyo neno la Kiarabu <unk>qipt<unk> likaja kumaanisha "Wamisri" na "Wakristo". Neno "Orthodoxy" hapa linarejelea kuhifadhiwa kwa "Imani ya Asili" na Wakopti ambao, kwa muda mrefu, walilinda Imani ya Kale dhidi ya mashambulizi mengi yaliyolenga imani hiyo. Kanisa la Coptic lilianzishwa na Mtakatifu Marko Mwinjilisti katika mji wa Aleksandria karibu mwaka 43 KK. Kanisa linashikamana na Imani ya Nicea. "Mtakatifu Athanasius (296-373 KK), Papa wa ishirini wa Kanisa la Coptic, aliunga mkono kwa ufanisi mafundisho ya ""Uungu wa Kristo"" katika Baraza la Nicaea mnamo 325 KK, na uthibitisho wake wa mafundisho ulimpatia jina la ""Baba wa Orthodoxy"" na ""Mtakatifu Athanasius wa Apostolic.""" Kanisa la Coptic Orthodox linaamini kwamba Utatu Mtakatifu (Mungu Baba, Mungu Mwana, na Mungu Roho Mtakatifu) ni sawa na kila mmoja katika umoja mmoja, na kwamba Yesu Kristo ndiye Mwokozi pekee wa ulimwengu. Mabadiliko ya kidini katika Kanisa la Coptic ni ya kawaida, lakini kwa sababu ya mabadiliko ya kidini, mapokeo, na mafundisho, mapadri, maaskofu, na makuhani wa Coptic wamekuwa wakishirikiana. Kanisa la Coptic Orthodox linatambua sakramenti saba: Ubatizo, Uhakikisho, Mkutano Mtakatifu (Eucharist), Penitence, Ndoa, Upako wa Wagonjwa na Amri Takatifu. Wako wenye kujivunia kuwa Kanisa lao ni la kiapostoliki na kwamba Misri ndiyo nchi pekee duniani inayoheshimiwa na kubarikiwa na ziara ya Familia Takatifu. Wako pia na sifa ya kuwa na watakatifu, wanatheolojia na wasomi wa Misri, ambao wanahesabiwa miongoni mwa watu mashuhuri wa Makanisa ya Kikristo kama vile Origen (185 AD), Mtakatifu Clement (211 AD), Mtakatifu Antony Mkuu (250 AD), Mtakatifu Pachomius (290 AD), Mtakatifu Athanasius (296 AD), Mtakatifu Makarios (300 AD), Mtakatifu Cyril (377 AD). Kanisa la Coptic daima limehisi mamlaka ya kupatanisha "tofauti za semantic" kati ya makanisa yote ya Kikristo. "Hii inaelezwa kwa usahihi na HH Papa Shenouda III, Papa wa Alexandria na Patriarch wa See ya St. Mark, wakati alisema, ""Kwa Kanisa Coptic, imani ni muhimu zaidi kuliko kitu kingine chochote.""" Watu lazima kujua kwamba semantics na terminolojia ni ya umuhimu mdogo kwa ajili yetu <unk>. Tangu karne ya 20, Kanisa la Coptic limekuwa na jukumu muhimu katika harakati za ki-ekumeni. Kanisa la Coptic ni mojawapo ya waanzilishi wa <unk>Mashirika ya Ulimwengu ya Makanisa<unk>. Kanisa la Coptic pia ni mwanachama wa Baraza la Makanisa la Afrika na Baraza la Makanisa la Mashariki ya Kati. Idadi ya washiriki wa Kanisa la Coptic nchini Misri ni karibu milioni 10. Kuna wapatao milioni 1.5 Coptic wahamiaji wanaoishi katika Marekani, Canada, Australia, Ulaya, Afrika na Asia.