The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark, who preached Christianity in Egypt during the reign of the Roman ruler "Nero" in the first century, about twenty years after the rise of Christ. And St. Mark is one of the evangelists wrote the first Gospel.
Christianity spread throughout Egypt, during the half-century of the arrival of St. Mark to Alexandria (as is evident from the texts of the New Testament that were discovered in Bahnasa, Middle Egypt, and dated about 200 AD., And a small part of the Gospel of St. John, written in the Coptic language; which was found In Upper Egypt it is dated in the first half of the second century).
The Coptic Church - now more than nineteen centuries old - has been the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament. He says (Isaiah the Prophet in chapter 19, verse 19): "In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD."
Despite the union and full integration of the Copts into the Egyptian fabric, they continued as a strong religious entity, and formed a clear Christian figure in the world. The Coptic Church considers itself a strong advocate of the Christian faith. The law of the Council of Nicaea - approved by the churches of the whole world, was written by one of the great sons of the Coptic Church: Pope Athanasius, Pope of Alexandria, which lasted for 46 years (from 327 to 373). Egypt's position is well preserved in this matter, Holy Family fled to Egypt : “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Matt. 13: 2-15)
The contributions of the Coptic Church to Christianity are numerous. The Coptic Church played an important role in Christian theology, especially to protect it from Gnostic heresies. The Coptic Church has protected thousands of texts, Biblical and theological studies, which are important sources of archeology. The Bible was translated into the Coptic language in the second century. Hundreds of scribes used to copy copies of the Bible and ritual and theological books. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of Coptic manuscripts in the world's libraries, museums, and universities.
The Christian School of Alexandria is considered the first school of its kind in the world. After its establishment in about 190 AD, by the Christian scholar Pantinus, the Alexandria School became the most important institute for religious education in Christianity. And many prominent bishops from around the world were taught in that school, such as “Athenagors”, “Clement” (St. Clement of Alexandria), Didimus, and the great scholar Origen, who was considered the father of theology, who was also active in interpreting Bible and comparative evangelical studies. He has written more than 6000 interpretations of the Bible, in addition to the famous "Hexabla" book. Many Christian scholars visited the Alexandria School, such as St. Jerome, to exchange ideas and contact directly the scholars. The goal of the Alexandria School was not confined to theological matters, because other sciences such as science, mathematics, and sociology were taught there. The "question and answer" method of interpretation began there. It is worth noting, that there were ways to engrave wood for blind students to read and write with, 15 centuries before Braille! The theological school of the Alexandria Christian School was revived in 1893 AD. Today, it has university buildings in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where candidates for the mystery of priesthood study, and men and women who qualify many Christian sciences such as theology, history, Coptic language, Coptic art ... as well as hymns and icon (making icons), music and tissue making.
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 number of the Coptic Church members in Egypt alone is approximately 20,000,000 members. There are around 3.8 million Coptic immigrants living in The United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia.
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