“Coptic” means “Egyptian” and Christians living in Egypt identify themselves as Coptic Christians. The Coptic Church was established in the name of the Lord 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 the Lord Jesus Christ's Divinity at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the title; “Father of Orthodoxy” and St. Athanasius “the Apostolic”.
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 “qibt” 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 against it.
The Coptic Orthodox Church worships the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the oneness of nature. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three equal co-essential and co-indwelling hypostases (persons). The Blessed and Holy Trinity is our One God.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten of the Father and Who is One with Him in Essence, is the only Savior of the world. We are also Miaphysites; there is a difference between the Miaphysites—who believe in one united or composite nature (divine & human) of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Monophysites—who believe in just one single nature (divine) of Lord Jesus Christ. We do not believe in just a single nature, but we do believe in the one incarnate nature of the Logos.
Fewer changes have taken place in the Coptic Church than in any other church, whether in the ritual or doctrinal aspects. Additionally, the succession of the Coptic patriarchs, bishops, priests, and deacons has been continuous since St. Mark brought Christianity to Egypt.
The mission of the American Coptic Orthodox Church is to preserve, practice, and share the Coptic Orthodox faith in America without the cultural and language barriers that have traditionally accompanied the spread of Orthodoxy outside of Egypt.
Our Church,St. Mary & Martyr Marina Coptic Orthodox church, is the second Coptic church in Oregon located in Gresham area
Learn more about our church