THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH: A LIVING APOSTOLIC TRADITION
An Ancient Christian Church
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church represents one of Christianity's most venerable traditions, tracing its foundation to Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist, writer of the second Gospel, who brought the Christian faith to Egypt in the first century. The very word "Coptic" derives from the ancient Egyptian "Aigyptos," meaning simply "Egyptian", we are the indigenous Christian Church of Egypt, the land where the Holy Family found refuge.
For over nineteen centuries, the Coptic Church has served as guardian of the Orthodox Christian faith in its earliest and purest form. Through persecution under Roman emperors, Islamic conquests, and modern challenges, we have preserved unchanged the apostolic doctrines and liturgical worship patterns established by the apostles themselves. As Saint Vincent of Lérins taught, we hold "that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all."
Trinitarian Faith
We believe in the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—One God in three persons, as revealed in Scripture and confessed by the ancient Church. Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, became incarnate through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Saint Mary, Theotokos (God-bearer). He suffered and died on the Cross for our salvation, rose on the third day granting us eternal life, and ascended to heaven after forty days, sending the Holy Spirit to His disciples on Pentecost as He promised.
This is the faith of Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus, the faith once delivered to the saints.
Apostolic Succession
Our church stands in direct apostolic succession through Saint Mark, who established the See of Alexandria around 60-70 A.D. Today, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II serves as the 118th successor to Saint Mark, maintaining the unbroken chain of apostolic authority that Christ entrusted to His apostles.
Scriptural Foundation
Holy Scripture serves as our primary authority, particularly faithful translations like the King James Version, New King James Version, and Revised Standard Version. Following ancient Christian tradition, we prefer the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament; the same version used by Christ and the apostles, over later Masoretic texts. Our liturgical readings, homilies, and catechesis flow from the wellspring of God's written Word.
Patristic Tradition
The teachings of the Church Fathers, particularly the Alexandrian Fathers like Saint Athanasius, Saint Cyril, and Saint John Chrysostom; illuminate our understanding of Scripture and preserve apostolic tradition. We confess the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as our statement of faith, linking us to the ecumenical councils that safeguarded orthodox Christianity against heretical deviations.
Orthodoxy
St. George Church maintains unwavering fidelity to the deposit of faith. We do not alter fundamental doctrines, dogmas, or traditions to accommodate contemporary trends. As Saint Jude exhorted, we "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). While we adapt language and pastoral practices to serve our community effectively, the essential content of our faith remains immutable; yesterday, today, and forever.
1. Baptism
Symbols:
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Water (immersion 3 times)
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Oil (before and after baptism)
Meaning:
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Death and resurrection with Christ
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Washing away sin (original + personal)
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New birth as a child of God
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit…” (John 3:5)
2. Chrismation (Confirmation)
Symbols:
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Holy Myron oil (anointing 36 times on the body)
Meaning:
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Receiving the Holy Spirit
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Becoming a temple of God
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Strength to live a holy life
3. Confession & Repentance
Symbols:
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Verbal confession before the priest
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Absolution prayer
Meaning:
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Forgiveness of sins after baptism
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Healing of the soul
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Restoration of relationship with God
4. Eucharist (Holy Communion)
Symbols:
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Bread (True Body of Christ)
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Wine ( True Blood of Christ)
Meaning:
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True union with Christ
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Forgiveness of sins
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Eternal life
5. Matrimony
6. Priesthood
7. Anointing of the Sick.
Sacramental Life
Our spiritual life centers on seven primary sacraments (mysteries). These sacraments, instituted by Christ and administered through apostolic succession, convey divine grace and unite us mystically with our Savior.
