The Coptic Orthodox Church was established in 55AD in Egypt by St Mark the Evangelist and Apostle, and author of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament Bible. The word Coptic is a derivative of the Greek word “Aígyptos” (Αίγυπτος, literally Egypt), which became “Gypt”, and ultimately Copt. It is the ethnicity of first century native Egyptians and is now almost exclusively associated with the Christian Egyptian community.
The term Orthodox refers to the method employed by the Church in teaching and worshiping. The beliefs of the Coptic Orthodox Church are based on the Holy Bible (the most popular English translation used is the NKJV). The traditions passed on throughout the generations have been preserved and adhered to, according to the teachings of St Mark, with the sole intention of enriching the personal relationship of the congregation with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Coptic Orthodoxy teaches the Holy Trinity is one God, that God the Father begot Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word to redeem mankind, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father to teach, guide and comfort, as Christ promised His disciples. This faith is recited in the Nicene – Constantinopolitan Creed. St. Athanasius’ Coptic Orthodox Church is proud of the role of her patron saint in establishing the Creed.