Copts are a distinct ethnoreligious group, indigenous to Egypt, that constitute the largest Christian community in the Middle East. The Coptic Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations in history, with roots tracing back to just ten years after the death of Christ. Before the Muslim conquest, Coptic Christians were the majority in Egypt for hundreds of years. 

Mark the Apostle brought Christianity to Alexandria, Egypt sometime between 42 and 62 AD. Alexandria soon became a vibrant hub for religion and theology. Many of the great early Christian philosophers—Clement, Pantaenus, Origen-- were trained at the Catechetical School of Alexandria, where the first system of Christian theology and Biblical exegesis was formed. Some of the most significant official doctrinal proclamations within Christianity, such as the belief that Jesus is One and equal with the Father, were promulgated by councils led by Coptic patriarchs in the fourth and fifth centuries. 

The largest church within the Coptic community in Egypt is the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The Coptic Orthodox Church considers itself a living extension of the apostolic church in life, spirituality, liturgies and dogmas. Unlike other denominations of Christianity, the Coptic Church never underwent any major reformations and thus has preserved many original traditions of the early Christians.  

Early Coptic leaders such as St. Athanasius (296-373) ardently defended what many Christians accept today as the concept of the Trinity. At the first ecumenical council in Nicaea in 325 AD, St. Athanasius debated against Arianism, which denies the divinity of Christ and considers Him a created being. Athanasius successfully defended the Trinitarian belief that Jesus is coeternal and consubstantial with the Father. Athanasius is also believed to be the author of the Nicene Creed, which is recited throughout many churches today.  

Coptic Christians practice the sacraments of baptism, chrismation, repentance and confession, the eucharist, unction of the sick, matrimony, and priesthood/holy orders. They have their own liturgy, ceremonial calendar, clerical hierarchy and pope. The Pope of the Coptic Church, currently; Pope Tawadros II, oversees matters of faith and pastoral care. He is highly regarded by all Copts but does not occupy any state of supremacy or infallibility. Unlike many Christians who operate on the Gregorian calendar, Copts follow the Julian calendar. This means that common holidays such as Christmas and Easter fall on different days for Copts than many other Christian denominations.  

As Christians, we care about the entire body of Christ; our brothers and sisters from every corner of the world.  

The Coptic Church received the nickname ‘Church of the Martyrs,’ because of the significant number of Copts historically who died for their faith. Today, Copts continue to face serious threats in Egypt. Because negative stereotypes of Copts are pervasive throughout Egyptian society, Copts lack necessary protections and rights to function as fully equal citizens. Persistent and deadly attacks on Coptic churches, homes and communities has killed hundreds of Copts in recent years. Currently, Egypt is #16 on the World Watch List for Islamic oppression against Christians.  

Perhaps more striking than the plight of the Coptic people, is their response to it. Countless Coptic testimonies of faith and endurance in the face of unspeakable evil serve as a reminder to Christians everywhere that there is something so uniquely powerful in the message of the Gospel; that Christ is utterly and completely worth living and dying for.  

In many ways, the Western Church is currently undergoing a crisis; an absence of awareness and respect for the origins of our Judeo-Christian heritage. Now is the time where the Western Church must look to the East, to the examples demonstrated by Copts, to rediscover our Christian roots. Our Coptic brothers and sisters represent a return to the heart of Christianity: loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind.