Founded by St. Mark the Evangelist
The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in Egypt by St. Mark the Evangelist in the first century — within living memory of the Resurrection. Through twenty centuries it has preserved the apostolic faith, the ancient liturgies, and the monastic tradition that shaped Christianity across the world. Today it numbers many millions of faithful in Egypt and a growing diaspora on every continent.
“Coptic” · “Orthodox” · “Church”
Coptic simply means Egyptian — from the Greek Aigyptios. The Copts are the descendants of ancient Egypt, and the Coptic language still prayed in our liturgy is the last living form of the language of the Pharaohs.
Orthodox means right belief — the faith of the apostles kept without addition or subtraction, confessed at the councils of Nicaea, Constantinople and Ephesus.
Church is not a building but a family: the Body of Christ, gathered around the Eucharist, spanning heaven and earth.
“In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt.”
Pillars of the Faith
The Divine Liturgy — we celebrate the ancient Liturgy of St. Basil, joining heaven and earth in worship.
Prayer & Fasting — the Agpeya (hours of prayer) and the fasts of the Church train the heart in devotion.
Sacred Iconography — icons proclaim the Gospel in colour and gold, windows into the Kingdom.
The Saints & Martyrs — the Church of the Martyrs honours those who kept the faith through persecution.
Monasticism — born in the Egyptian desert with St. Antony, monasticism remains the beating heart of the Coptic Church.
Coptic Hymnology — ancient chant handed down for centuries carries the words of the liturgy.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”