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A
PROFILE ON THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Christian Church of Egypt... in Australia
Organisational
Chart 2003
For a copy of the official 2003 Organisational Chart of the Diocese
of Sydney and its Affiliated Regions,
please click here.
Constitution
For a copy of the constitution of the Coptic Orthodox Churches in
the Diocese of Sydney and its Affiliated Regions please
click here.
A
Historic Overview…
The
Coptic Orthodox Church is very unique for two reasons:
- It
has a culture that has its roots in ancient Egypt, for indeed
the Copts are the descendants of the ancient Egyptians, and are
the indigenous people of Egypt;
- It
is a religion that has its genesis in apostolic Christianity.
The
term "Coptic" describes the Egyptian Christians.
Historically, it also refers to the
last stage of the ancient Egyptian language, as well as the
distinctive art
and architecture
that developed as an early
expression of the new Christian faith in Egypt.
The
Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest apostolic churches in
the world and the largest Christian denomination in Africa and the
Middle East. It is based on the teachings of the apostle Mark, who
brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor
Nero in the first century A.D, a couple of decades after the
resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Saint Mark was one of
the four evangelists who wrote the gospels in the New Testament of
the Bible. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a
century of the Apostle Mark's arrival in Alexandria, Egypt.
Although
fully integrated into the body of the modern Egyptian nation, the
Copts have survived as a strong religious entity who pride
themselves on their contribution to the Christian world. The Coptic
Orthodox Church regards itself as a strong defendant of Christian
faith. From the beginning, it played a central role in Christian
theology, and accordingly, has produced thousands of texts, biblical
and theological studies. Many of these studies, including the Bible,
were translated to the Coptic language in the early centuries A.D.
Now libraries, museums and universities throughout the world possess
thousands of Coptic
manuscripts, which are important sources for research and
archaeology.
But
the greatest gift the Coptic Church of Egypt offered the world was
the concept and practice of the monastic order. All Christian
monasticism stems, either directly or indirectly, from the Egyptian
example.
The
Coptic Orthodox Church Today…
The
Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church is headed by the Pope of
Alexandria, who is His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, and comprises
some 90 Bishops who oversee the clergy and pastoral care in their
dioceses – both inside Egypt and in the Diaspora.
The
Coptic Orthodox Church is an active member of the World Council of
Churches, and was the founding member of the Middle East Council of
Churches in 1974.
Today,
there are over 10 million Copts in Egypt (out of a population of
approximately 60 million Egyptians). And in addition, there are
about 2 million Copts who have migrated out of Egypt and who
practice their faith in hundreds of churches in the United States,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Germany,
Austria, Holland, Brazil, and many other countries in Africa and
Asia.
There
are over 80 churches in North and South America, including Canada,
more than 50 churches throughout the European continent, more than
15 churches across Central and South Africa, and more than 40
churches in Australia and New Zealand.
And
most recently, the last decade has seen the expansion of the Coptic
Orthodox Church into North and South East Asia, through professional
Copts who have taken up residency in the region.
Accordingly,
in June 2002, His Holiness Pope Shenouda officially ordained and
appointed His Grace Bishop Daniel, to be the first bishop with
jurisdiction for the Australian states of New South Wales,
Queensland, and the Northern Territory, as well as South and North
East Asia. Bishop Daniel has responsibility for the pastoral
services and activities of the Coptic Orthodox Church in these
regions.
The
Values of the Copts …
The
Coptic people, first and foremost, hold fast to the traditions and
teachings of the early Church Fathers, and remain a deeply spiritual
and biblically rooted people. In their daily life, the Copts have
always fostered and promoted five key attributes:
The
importance of having a good education
The
importance of having strong family ties and values
The
importance of having successful careers
The
importance of contributing and adding value to the society in which
they live
The
importance of serving and helping others who are less able and
fortunate
The
Contribution of the Copts in the society…
As
individuals, the Copts are known and recognised in particular for
their academic and professional aptitude, and have reached
prestigious academic and professional stature all over the world.
One such individual is Dr.
Boutros Boutros Ghali, who was the Sixth United Nations
Secretary-General (1992-1997). Another is Dr. Magdy Yacoub (London)
who is one of the most renowned heart surgeons in the world.
In
each country to which the Copts have migrated, they have formed an
integral part of that society and have made positive contributions:
socially, culturally, intellectually and academically. The Coptic
Orthodox Church has always stated the importance of not being
isolated communities, but integrating and sharing with other
communities, whilst maintaining their rich Christian heritage.
In
this respect, the Coptic Orthodox Church enshrines and promotes the
very values of life, which enable Coptic people to reach out and
learn from all that is valuable in their surroundings, while
encouraging them to be their authentic selves.
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