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[[Image:ChristCopticArt.jpg|frame|Coptic icon of Christ]]
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[[Image:ChristCopticArt.jpg|frame|Icoană coptă a Mântuitorului]]
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The '''Coptic Orthodox Church''' is the portion of the [[Church of Alexandria]] which broke from the Byzantine churches in the wake of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] in Chalcedon in 451. Sharing a common heritage before with the Chalcedonian Church of Alexandria, it traces its origins to the [[Apostle Mark]]. The church is one of the [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches. Its leader is the Coptic Pope of Alexandria, currently [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Pope Shenouda III]]. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria cares for about 18 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt and abroad, besides being the Mother Church of both the Ethiopian and [[Church of Eritrea|Eritrean]] Orthodox Churches. More than 95% of the Christians of Egypt are Coptic Orthodox, but other "Patriarchates/Patriarchs of Alexandria" also exist (Coptic Catholic, Greek/Latin Catholic and Greek Orthodox - see 'Coptic Christianity Today' below), as well as small Protestant and Anglican denominations.
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'''Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă''' este o parte din [[Biserica Ortodoxă din Alexandria]] care s-a separat de bisericile bizantine în urma [[Sinodul IV Ecumenic|Sinodului IV Ecumenic]] de la Calcedon din 451. Având o istorie comună cu Biserica din Alexandria Calcedoniană, îşi are rădăcinile în propovăduirea [[Apostolul Marcu|Sfântului Apostol Marcu]]. Biserica Coptă face parte din grupul bisericilor [[Biserici ortodoxe orientale|ortodoxe orientale]] churches. Întâistătătorul ei este Papa Copt din Alexandria, în prezent [[Shenouda al III-lea (Gayyid) de Alexandria|Papa Shenouda al III-lea]]. Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Alexandria are aproximativ 18 milioane de credincioşi creştini ortodocşi copţi în Egipt şi în lumea largă. Pe lângă acestea, este biserica mamă pentru Bisericle Ortodoxe din [[Etiopia (coptă)|Etiopia]] şi din [[Eritreea (coptă)|Eritreea]]. Mai mult de 95% din creştinii din Egipt sunt ortodocşi copţi, dar exist şi alte "Patriarhii de Alexandria" (catolici copţi, catolici greci-latini şi ortodocşi greci - vezi mai jos 'Creştinismul copt în zilele noastre'), la fel ca şi mici comunităţi de protestanţi şi anglicani.
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{{orientalchurches}}
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{{Bisericiorientale}}
  
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The Coptic Church regards itself as having never believed in [[monophysitism]] the way it was portrayed in the Council of Chalcedon, but rather as having always believed in [[miaphysitism]] (a doctrine that [[Oriental Orthodox]] Churches regard as correct and orthodox). In that council, monophysitism meant believing in one nature of Jesus Christ. Copts believe that the Lord is perfect in his divinity, and he is perfect in his humanity, but his divinity and His humanity were united in one nature called "the nature of the incarnate Word," which was articulated by St. [[Cyril of Alexandria]]. Copts thus believe in two natures "human" and "divine" that are united in one "without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration" (from the declaration of faith at the end of the Coptic divine liturgy). These two natures "did not separate for a moment or the twinkling of an eye" (also from the declaration of faith at the end of the Coptic divine liturgy).
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Biserica Coptă însăşi consideră că niciodată nu a adoptat [[monofizism]]ul în forma în care este combătut de Sinodul de la Calcedon, în schimb fiind adepta [[miafizism]]ului (o doctrină pe care bisericile orientale ortodoxe o privesc ca fiind corectă şi ortodoxă. În acel sinod, monofizismul a fost definit ca fiind credinţa într-o singură fire (natură) a lui Iisus Hristos. Copţii mărturisesc că Domnul este perfect în divinitatea Sa şi că este perfect în umanitatea Sa, dar divinitatea şi umanitaea Sa erau erau unite într-o singură fire (natură) numită "firea Cuvântului întrupat," definiţie dată de Sfâtul [[Chiril de Alexandria]]. Astfel, copţii mărturisesc două firi "umană" şi "divină" care sunt unite într-una singură "fără mingling, fără confuzie şi fără stricăciune" (din declaraţia de credinţă de la sfârşitul Sfintei Liturghii copte). Aceste două firi "nu se separă nici o clipă sau nici cât o clipire de ochi" (de asemenea din declaraţia de credinţă de la sfârşitul Sfintei Liturghii copte).
  
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==History==
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==Istoric==
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[[Image:CopticAltar.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A Coptic altar in Jerusalem]]  
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[[Image:CopticAltar.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Altar copt din Ierusalim]]  
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Egypt is often identified as the place of refuge that the [[The Holy Family in Egypt|Holy Family]] sought in its flight from Judea: "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ''Out of Egypt I called My Son'' ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 2:12-23). The Egyptian Church, which is now more than nineteen centuries old, was the subject of many prophecies in the [[Old Testament]]. [[Isaiah]] the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 says "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."
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Egiptul este adesea considerat ca fiind locul de refugiu al [[Sfânta Familie în Egipt|Sfintei Familii]] la fuga lor din Iudeea: "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ''Out of Egypt I called My Son'' ([[Evanghelia după Matei|Matei]] 2:12-23). The Egyptian Church, which is now more than nineteen centuries old, was the subject of many prophecies in the [[Old Testament]]. [[Isaiah]] the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 says "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."
  
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The first Christians in Egypt were mainly Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus, whom the [[Apostle Luke]] addresses in the introductory chapter of his [[Gospel of Luke|gospel]]. When the church was founded by [[Apostle Mark|Mark]] during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, a great multitude of native Egyptians (as opposed to Greeks or Jews) embraced the Christian faith. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the [[New Testament]] writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 AD, and a fragment of the [[Gospel of John]], written in Coptic, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. In the second century Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into the local language, namely Coptic.
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The first Christians in Egypt were mainly Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus, whom the [[Apostolul Luca]] addresses in the introductory chapter of his [[Evanghelia după Luca|Evangheliei]]. When the church was founded by [[Apostolul Marcu|Marcu]] during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, a great multitude of native Egyptians (as opposed to Greeks or Jews) embraced the Christian faith. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the [[Noul Testament|Noului Testament]] writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 AD, and a fragment of the [[Evanghelia după Ioan]], written in Coptic, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. In the second century Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into the local language, namely Coptic.
  
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=== The Catechetical School of Alexandria ===
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===Şcoala Catehetică din Alexandria ===
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The Catechetical School of Alexandria is the oldest catechetical school in the world. Founded around 190 by the scholar Pantanaeus, the school of Alexandria became an important institution of religious learning, where students were taught by scholars such as [[Athenagoras of Athens|Athenagoras]], [[Clement of Alexandria|Clement]], [[Didymus the Blind|Didymus]], and the great [[Origen]], who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. Origen wrote over 6,000 commentaries of the [[Bible]] in addition to his famous ''[[Hexapla]]''. Many scholars such as St. [[Jerome]] visited the school of Alexandria to exchange ideas and to communicate directly with its scholars. The scope of this school was not limited to theological subjects; science, mathematics and humanities were also taught there. The question and answer method of commentary began there, and 15 centuries before Braille, wood-carving techniques were in use there by blind scholars to read and write.
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The Catechetical School of Alexandria is the oldest catechetical school in the world. Founded around 190 by the scholar Pantanaeus, the school of Alexandria became an important institution of religious learning, where students were taught by scholars such as [[Athenagoras of Athens|Athenagoras]], [[Clement dinAlexandria|Clement]], [[Didim cel Orb|Didim]], and the great [[Origen]], who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. Origen wrote over 6,000 commentaries of the [[Sfânta Scriptură|Biblie]] in addition to his famous ''[[Hexapla]]''. Many scholars such as St. [[Ieronim]] visited the school of Alexandria to exchange ideas and to communicate directly with its scholars. The scope of this school was not limited to theological subjects; science, mathematics and humanities were also taught there. The question and answer method of commentary began there, and 15 centuries before Braille, wood-carving techniques were in use there by blind scholars to read and write.
  
 
The Theological college of the catechetical school of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. The new school currently has campuses in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where Coptic priests-to-be and other qualified men and women are taught among other subjects Christian theology, history, Coptic language and art—including chanting, music, [[iconography]], and tapestry.
 
The Theological college of the catechetical school of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. The new school currently has campuses in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where Coptic priests-to-be and other qualified men and women are taught among other subjects Christian theology, history, Coptic language and art—including chanting, music, [[iconography]], and tapestry.
  
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=== Monasticism and missionary work ===
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===Activitate monastică şi misionară===
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In the third century, during the persecution of Decius, some Christians fled to the desert, and remained there to pray after the persecutions abated. This was the beginning of the [[monasticism|monastic movement]], which was reorganized by the saints [[Anthony the Great]] and [[Pachomius the Great|Pachomius]] in the 4th century. By the end of the century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. A number of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations till this day.
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In the third century, during the persecution of Decius, some Christians fled to the desert, and remained there to pray after the persecutions abated. This was the beginning of the [[monasticism|monastic movement]], which was reorganized by the saints [[Antonie cel Mare]] and [[Pahomie cel Mare]] in the 4th century. By the end of the century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. A number of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations till this day.
  
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Egyptian monasticism attracted the attention of Christians in other parts of the world, who visited Egypt, many bringing monastic ideas home with them, and spreading monasticism through the Christian world. St. [[Basil the Great]], organizer of the monastic movement in Asia Minor visited Egypt around AD 357 and his rule is followed by the eastern churches; St. Jerome, en route to Jerusalem, stopped in Egypt and left details of his experiences in his letters; St. [[Benedict of Nursia]] founded monasteries in the 6th century on the model of Pachomius, but in a stricter form.
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Egyptian monasticism attracted the attention of Christians in other parts of the world, who visited Egypt, many bringing monastic ideas home with them, and spreading monasticism through the Christian world. St. [[Vasile cel Mare]], organizer of the monastic movement in Asia Minor visited Egypt around AD 357 and his rule is followed by the eastern churches; St. Jerome, en route to Jerusalem, stopped in Egypt and left details of his experiences in his letters; St. [[Benedict din Nursia]] founded monasteries in the 6th century on the model of Pachomius, but in a stricter form.
  
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===Council of Chalcedon===
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===Sinodul de la Calcedon===
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[[Image:StMarkCathAlex.jpg|thumb|St Mark Coptic Cathedral in Alexandria]]
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[[Image:StMarkCathAlex.jpg|thumb|Catedrala coptă Sfântul Marcu din Alexandria]]
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{{oriental}}
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{{Oriental}}
 
   
 
   
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By the time the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] was called, politics had already started to intermingle with Church affairs. When the Emperor Marcianus interfered with matters of faith in the Church, the response of [[Pope Saint Dioscorus I of Alexandria (Coptic POV)|Dioscorus of Alexandria]] (the Pope of Alexandria who was later to be exiled) to this interference was clear: "You have nothing to do with the Church." It was at Chalcedon that the emperor would take his revenge for the Pope's frankness.
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By the time the [[Sinodul IV Ecumenic|Sinodul de la Calcedon]] was called, politics had already started to intermingle with Church affairs. When the Emperor Marcianus interfered with matters of faith in the Church, the response of [[Papa Sfântul Dioscor I din Alexandria (Coptic POV)|Dioscor din Alexandria]] (the Pope of Alexandria who was later to be exiled) to this interference was clear: "You have nothing to do with the Church." It was at Chalcedon that the emperor would take his revenge for the Pope's frankness.
  
 
The Council of Chalcedon abandoned Cyrillian terminology and declared that Christ was one hypostasis in two natures. However, in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, "Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary," thus the foundation according to non-Chalcedonians is made clear. In terms of Christology the Oriental understanding is that Christ is "One Nature--the Logos Incarnate," ''of'' the full humanity and full divinity. The Byzantine understanding is that Christ is ''in'' two natures, full humanity and full divinity. (Just as all of us are of our mother and father and not in our mother and father, so too is the nature of Christ. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the [[Nestorianism|Nestorians]] teach. Imagine your nature in your mother and your father; you are then two different people. If however your nature is of your mother and your father, then you are one person [http://www.geocities.com/mfignatius/others/byzantine01.html].) This is the linguistic difference which separated the Orientals from the Byzantines.  
 
The Council of Chalcedon abandoned Cyrillian terminology and declared that Christ was one hypostasis in two natures. However, in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, "Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary," thus the foundation according to non-Chalcedonians is made clear. In terms of Christology the Oriental understanding is that Christ is "One Nature--the Logos Incarnate," ''of'' the full humanity and full divinity. The Byzantine understanding is that Christ is ''in'' two natures, full humanity and full divinity. (Just as all of us are of our mother and father and not in our mother and father, so too is the nature of Christ. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the [[Nestorianism|Nestorians]] teach. Imagine your nature in your mother and your father; you are then two different people. If however your nature is of your mother and your father, then you are one person [http://www.geocities.com/mfignatius/others/byzantine01.html].) This is the linguistic difference which separated the Orientals from the Byzantines.  
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The Coptic Church regards herself as having been misunderstood at the Council of Chalcedon. Some Copts believe that perhaps the Council understood the Church correctly, but wanted to exile the Church, to isolate her and to abolish the Egyptian, independent Pope, who maintained that Church and State should remain separate. The Coptic Church regarded that the ousting of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria in the council of Chalcedon was in part due to the rivalry between the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome. The Tome of Pope Leo of Rome was considered influenced by Nestorian philosophy. It is important to note that Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria was never labeled as heretic by the council's canons. Copts also believe that the Pope of Alexandria was forcibly prevented from attending the third congregation of the council in which he was ousted, which apparently was a result of the conspiracy tailored by the Roman delegates. For further info, please refer to [http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.06.en.orthodox_and_oriental_orthodox_consultation.htm this key paper] on the subject by Professor Fr. [[John S. Romanides]], a prominent Greek Orthodox scholar.
 
The Coptic Church regards herself as having been misunderstood at the Council of Chalcedon. Some Copts believe that perhaps the Council understood the Church correctly, but wanted to exile the Church, to isolate her and to abolish the Egyptian, independent Pope, who maintained that Church and State should remain separate. The Coptic Church regarded that the ousting of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria in the council of Chalcedon was in part due to the rivalry between the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome. The Tome of Pope Leo of Rome was considered influenced by Nestorian philosophy. It is important to note that Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria was never labeled as heretic by the council's canons. Copts also believe that the Pope of Alexandria was forcibly prevented from attending the third congregation of the council in which he was ousted, which apparently was a result of the conspiracy tailored by the Roman delegates. For further info, please refer to [http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.06.en.orthodox_and_oriental_orthodox_consultation.htm this key paper] on the subject by Professor Fr. [[John S. Romanides]], a prominent Greek Orthodox scholar.
  
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Before the current positive era of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox dialogues, Chalcedonians sometimes used to call the non-Chalcedonians "[[Monophysitism|monophysites]]", though the Coptic Church denies that she teaches monophysitism, which she has always regarded as a heresy. They have sometimes called the Chalcedonian group "[[Dyophysitism|dyophysites]]". A term that comes closer to Coptic doctrine is "[[Miaphysitism|miaphysite]]" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miaphysitism], which refers to a conjoined nature for Christ, both human and divine, united indivisibly in the Incarnate Logos. The Coptic Church believes that Christ is perfect in His divinity, and He is perfect in His humanity, but His divinity and His humanity were united in one nature called "the nature of the incarnate word", which was reiterated by [[Cyril of Alexandria|Saint Cyril of Alexandria]]. Copts, thus, believe in two natures "human" and "divine" that are united in one hypostasis ''without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration''. These two natures ''did not separate for a moment or the twinkling of an eye'' (Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil of Caesarea).
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Before the current positive era of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox dialogues, Chalcedonians sometimes used to call the non-Chalcedonians "[[monofizism|monophysites]]", though the Coptic Church denies that she teaches monophysitism, which she has always regarded as a heresy. They have sometimes called the Chalcedonian group "[[diofizism|dyophysites]]". A term that comes closer to Coptic doctrine is "[[miafizism|miaphysite]]" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miaphysitism], which refers to a conjoined nature for Christ, both human and divine, united indivisibly in the Incarnate Logos. The Coptic Church believes that Christ is perfect in His divinity, and He is perfect in His humanity, but His divinity and His humanity were united in one nature called "the nature of the incarnate word", which was reiterated by [[Cyril of Alexandria|Saint Cyril of Alexandria]]. Copts, thus, believe in two natures "human" and "divine" that are united in one hypostasis ''without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration''. These two natures ''did not separate for a moment or the twinkling of an eye'' (Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil of Caesarea).
  
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Copts suffered under the rule of the Byzantine [[Eastern Roman Empire]]. The Melkite Patriarchs, appointed by the emperors as both spiritual leaders and civil governors, massacred the Egyptian population whom they considered heretics. Many Egyptians were tortured and martyred to accept the terms of Chalcedon, but Egyptians remained loyal to the faith of their fathers and to the Cyrillian view of [[Christology]]. One of the most renowned Egyptian saints of that period is Saint [[Samuel the Confessor]].
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Copts suffered under the rule of the Byzantine [[Imperiul Roman de Răsărit]]. The Melkite Patriarchs, appointed by the emperors as both spiritual leaders and civil governors, massacred the Egyptian population whom they considered heretics. Many Egyptians were tortured and martyred to accept the terms of Chalcedon, but Egyptians remained loyal to the faith of their fathers and to the Cyrillian view of [[Hristologie]]. One of the most renowned Egyptian saints of that period is Saint [[Samuel Mărturisitorul]].
  
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===The Arab conquest of Egypt===
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===Cucerirea arabă a Egiptului===
 
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_early_Arab_Egypt#The_Arab_Conquest_of_Egypt Arab conquest of Egypt] took place in AD 641. Although the Imperial forces resisted the Arab army under Amr ibn al-As, the majority of the civilian population, having suffered persecution for the differing Christian beliefs, were less hostile; in some cases they welcomed their new masters. Considered "People of the Book", Christians were allowed to practice their religion, under the restrictions of the [[Islam]]ic Shari'a law. This protection stemmed in part from a Hadith of Muhammad (whose Egyptian wife had been the only one to bear a male child) that advised "When you conquer Egypt, be kind to the Copts for they are your proteges and kith and kin" and in part from a need to have capable administrators.
 
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_early_Arab_Egypt#The_Arab_Conquest_of_Egypt Arab conquest of Egypt] took place in AD 641. Although the Imperial forces resisted the Arab army under Amr ibn al-As, the majority of the civilian population, having suffered persecution for the differing Christian beliefs, were less hostile; in some cases they welcomed their new masters. Considered "People of the Book", Christians were allowed to practice their religion, under the restrictions of the [[Islam]]ic Shari'a law. This protection stemmed in part from a Hadith of Muhammad (whose Egyptian wife had been the only one to bear a male child) that advised "When you conquer Egypt, be kind to the Copts for they are your proteges and kith and kin" and in part from a need to have capable administrators.
  
 
Despite the political upheaval, Egypt remained a predominently Christian land, although gradual conversions to Islam over the centuries had the effect of changing Egypt from a predominantly Christian to a predominantly Muslim country by the end of the 12th century. This process was sped along by persecutions during and following the reign of the mad Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (reigned AD 996-1021) and the Crusades, and also by the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria, Gabriel ibn-Turaik.
 
Despite the political upheaval, Egypt remained a predominently Christian land, although gradual conversions to Islam over the centuries had the effect of changing Egypt from a predominantly Christian to a predominantly Muslim country by the end of the 12th century. This process was sped along by persecutions during and following the reign of the mad Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (reigned AD 996-1021) and the Crusades, and also by the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria, Gabriel ibn-Turaik.
  
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===From the 19th century to the 1952 revolution===
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===Din secolul al XIX-lea până la revoluţia din 1952===
 
The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855, the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the ''Jizya'' tax, was lifted. Shortly thereafter, Christians started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Christian components. However, recently (2005-2006) Christians have unfortunately been persecuted in various parts of Egypt.
 
The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855, the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the ''Jizya'' tax, was lifted. Shortly thereafter, Christians started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Christian components. However, recently (2005-2006) Christians have unfortunately been persecuted in various parts of Egypt.
  
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==Coptic Christianity today==
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==Creştinismul copt astăzi==
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[[Image:Coptic festival.jpg|thumb|450px|left|Coptic Festival in Upper Egypt.]]
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[[Image:Coptic festival.jpg|thumb|450px|left|Sărbătoare coptă în Egiptul de Sus.]]
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The current Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is Pope [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Shenouda III]]. There is a small [[Coptic Catholic Church]] ([[Eastern Rite Catholic]]) established in the 19th century and headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria in communion with the Pope of Rome. The [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]] has little presence in Egypt, but is headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem.
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The current Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is Pope [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Shenouda III]]. There is a small [[Coptic Catholic Church]] ([[Eastern Rite Catholic]]) established in the 19th century and headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria in communion with the Pope of Rome. The [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]] has little presence in Egypt, but is headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem.
  
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By some accounts there are about 60 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in the world: they are found primarily in Egypt (roughly 15 million), Ethiopia (roughly 38 million [http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-55.html]), and Eritrea (roughly 2 million), but there are significant numbers in North America, Europe, Australia, Sudan and Israel, and in diaspora throughout the world making approximately another 3 to 4 million. However, as applied to the [[Church of Ethiopia|Tewahedo Church of Ethiopia]], which in 1959 was granted her first own Patriarch by Coptic Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril VI of Alexandria]], the word ''Coptic'' can be considered a misnomer because it means ''Egyptian''. The [[Church of Eritrea|Eritrean Orthodox Church]] similarly became independent of the Tewahedo Church during the 1990s. These three churches remain in [[full communion]] with each other and with the other [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches.
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By some accounts there are about 60 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in the world: they are found primarily in Egypt (roughly 15 million), Ethiopia (roughly 38 million [http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-55.html]), and Eritrea (roughly 2 million), but there are significant numbers in North America, Europe, Australia, Sudan and Israel, and in diaspora throughout the world making approximately another 3 to 4 million. However, as applied to the [[Church of Ethiopia|Tewahedo Church of Ethiopia]], which in 1959 was granted her first own Patriarch by Coptic Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Cyril VI of Alexandria]], the word ''Coptic'' can be considered a misnomer because it means ''Egyptian''. The [[Church of Eritrea|Eritrean Orthodox Church]] similarly became independent of the Tewahedo Church during the 1990s. These three churches remain in [[full communion]] with each other and with the other [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches.
  
 
Since the 1980s theologians from the the Oriental Orthodox and Chalcedonian Orthodox churches have been meeting in a bid to resolve the theological differences, and have concluded that many of the differences are caused by the two groups using different terminology to describe the same thing (see [[Agreed Official Statements on Christology with the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches]]). In the summer of 2001, the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria [[Pastoral Agreement between the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria (2001)|agreed]] to mutually recognize baptisms performed in each other's churches, making rebaptisms unnecessary, and to recognize the sacrament of marriage as celebrated by the other. Previously, if a Coptic and Greek wanted to marry, the marriage had to be performed twice, once in each church, for it to be recognized by both. Now it can be done in only one church and be recognized by both.  
 
Since the 1980s theologians from the the Oriental Orthodox and Chalcedonian Orthodox churches have been meeting in a bid to resolve the theological differences, and have concluded that many of the differences are caused by the two groups using different terminology to describe the same thing (see [[Agreed Official Statements on Christology with the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches]]). In the summer of 2001, the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria [[Pastoral Agreement between the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria (2001)|agreed]] to mutually recognize baptisms performed in each other's churches, making rebaptisms unnecessary, and to recognize the sacrament of marriage as celebrated by the other. Previously, if a Coptic and Greek wanted to marry, the marriage had to be performed twice, once in each church, for it to be recognized by both. Now it can be done in only one church and be recognized by both.  
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The Coptic Orthodox Church also has her own distinguished Coptic art [http://www.coptic.net/articles/CopticArtOfEgypt.txt], [http://www.copticmuseum.gov.eg/English/internal/gallery.asp]; iconography [http://www.coptic.net/articles/CopticIcons.txt], [http://www.theotokos.org/CopticIcons/IconGallery.htm], [http://www.copticmuseum.gov.eg/English/internal/gallery_pieces.asp?section_id=1]; and architecture [http://www.copticarchitecture.com/], [http://www.coptic.net/articles/OldCairoCopticChurches.txt].
 
The Coptic Orthodox Church also has her own distinguished Coptic art [http://www.coptic.net/articles/CopticArtOfEgypt.txt], [http://www.copticmuseum.gov.eg/English/internal/gallery.asp]; iconography [http://www.coptic.net/articles/CopticIcons.txt], [http://www.theotokos.org/CopticIcons/IconGallery.htm], [http://www.copticmuseum.gov.eg/English/internal/gallery_pieces.asp?section_id=1]; and architecture [http://www.copticarchitecture.com/], [http://www.coptic.net/articles/OldCairoCopticChurches.txt].
  
−
==Coptic Orthodox churches around the world today==
+
==Biserici ortodoxe copte în lume==
 
===Africa===
 
===Africa===
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*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Africa]]
+
*Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Africa]]
  
 
===Asia===
 
===Asia===
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*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Asia]]
+
* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Asia]]
  
 
===Australia and Oceania===
 
===Australia and Oceania===
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*See  [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia]]
+
* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Australia]]
  
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===Europe===
+
===Europa===
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*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Europe]]
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* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Europa]]
  
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===North America===
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===America de Nord===
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*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States]]  
+
* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Statele Unite]]  
−
*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Canada]]
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* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Canada]]
  
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===South America===
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===America de Sud===
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*See [[Coptic Orthodox Church in South America]]
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* Vezi [[Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din America de Sud]]
  
  
 
==Sfinţi ai Bisericii Copte==
 
==Sfinţi ai Bisericii Copte==
−
'''''Notă:''' Unii din cei menționați aici nu sunt înscriși ca sfinți în calendarul Bisericii Ortodoxe (calcedoniene).''
+
'''''Notă:''' Unii din cei menţionaţi aici nu sunt înscrişi ca sfinţi în calendarul Bisericii Ortodoxe (calcedoniene).''
  
 
* [[Abanoub]]
 
* [[Abanoub]]
Linia 109: Linia 109:
 
*[[Moise Arapul]] القديس موسى الأسود
 
*[[Moise Arapul]] القديس موسى الأسود
 
* [[Mina (Rizk) AvaMina]]
 
* [[Mina (Rizk) AvaMina]]
−
* [[Pahomie cel Mare|Pahomie]], părintele monahismului de obște القديس باخوم أب الشركة
+
* [[Pahomie cel Mare|Pahomie]], părintele monahismului de obşte القديس باخوم أب الشركة
 
* [[Barsoum El-Erian|Parsoma (Barsoum El-Erian)]] الأنبا برسوم العريان
 
* [[Barsoum El-Erian|Parsoma (Barsoum El-Erian)]] الأنبا برسوم العريان
 
* [[Pavel, primul sihastru|Pavel Sihastrul]]
 
* [[Pavel, primul sihastru|Pavel Sihastrul]]
Linia 120: Linia 120:
 
*[[Verena]] القديسة فيرينا
 
*[[Verena]] القديسة فيرينا
  
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==See also==
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==Vezi şi==
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*[[List of Coptic Popes]]
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*[[Lista Papilor Copţi]]
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*[[:Category:Coptic interpretations of the Fourth Ecumenical Council]]
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*[[:Categorie:Interpretarea coptă a Sinodului IV Ecumenic]]
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*[[Heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church]]
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*[[Moştenirea Bisericii ortodoxe copte]]
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*[[The French Coptic Orthodox Church]]
+
*[[Biserica ortodoxă coptă franceză]]
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*[[British Orthodox Church (Coptic)]]
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*[[Biserica ortodoxă (coptă) britanică]]
  
−
==Source==
+
==Izvoare==
−
* Portions of this article taken from [[Wikipedia:Coptic Christianity]]
+
* Fragmente din acest articol au fost luate din [[Wikipedia:Coptic Christianity]]
  
−
==External links==
+
==Legături externe==
 
* [http://www.CopticPope.org Official Website of HH Pope Shenouda III]
 
* [http://www.CopticPope.org Official Website of HH Pope Shenouda III]
 
* [http://www.copticmidlanddiocese.co.uk Official Website of Coptic Orthodox Diocese in the Midlands & Affiliated Regions U.K.]
 
* [http://www.copticmidlanddiocese.co.uk Official Website of Coptic Orthodox Diocese in the Midlands & Affiliated Regions U.K.]
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* [http://www.france-copte.net France-copte.net Coptic Website in France, Autor Mikhail David]
 
* [http://www.france-copte.net France-copte.net Coptic Website in France, Autor Mikhail David]
  
−
==Bibliography==
+
==Bibliografie==
 
* [http://aucpress.com/cgi-aucpress/auc02/pager.cgi?catno=757_4 ''Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity'' by Dr. Otto F. A. Meinardus (368 pages - Cairo: AUC Press, 2002)]
 
* [http://aucpress.com/cgi-aucpress/auc02/pager.cgi?catno=757_4 ''Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity'' by Dr. Otto F. A. Meinardus (368 pages - Cairo: AUC Press, 2002)]
 
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965239608/002-6112676-3430426 ''Traditional Egyptian Christianity: A History of the Coptic Orthodox Church'' by Rev. Fr. Prof. Theodore H. Partrick (226 pages - Fisher Park Press, 1996)]
 
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965239608/002-6112676-3430426 ''Traditional Egyptian Christianity: A History of the Coptic Orthodox Church'' by Rev. Fr. Prof. Theodore H. Partrick (226 pages - Fisher Park Press, 1996)]
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[[Categorie:Ortodoxie Orientală|Alexandria]]
 
[[Categorie:Ortodoxie Orientală|Alexandria]]
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[[Categorie:Coptic Orthodox Church]]
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[[Categorie:Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă]]
 
[[Categorie:Jurisdicţii|Alexandria (coptă)]]
 
[[Categorie:Jurisdicţii|Alexandria (coptă)]]
  

Versiunea de la data 24 iulie 2008 05:26

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Icoană coptă a Mântuitorului

Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă este o parte din Biserica Ortodoxă din Alexandria care s-a separat de bisericile bizantine în urma Sinodului IV Ecumenic de la Calcedon din 451. Având o istorie comună cu Biserica din Alexandria Calcedoniană, îşi are rădăcinile în propovăduirea Sfântului Apostol Marcu. Biserica Coptă face parte din grupul bisericilor ortodoxe orientale churches. Întâistătătorul ei este Papa Copt din Alexandria, în prezent Papa Shenouda al III-lea. Biserica Ortodoxă Coptă din Alexandria are aproximativ 18 milioane de credincioşi creştini ortodocşi copţi în Egipt şi în lumea largă. Pe lângă acestea, este biserica mamă pentru Bisericle Ortodoxe din Etiopia şi din Eritreea. Mai mult de 95% din creştinii din Egipt sunt ortodocşi copţi, dar exist şi alte "Patriarhii de Alexandria" (catolici copţi, catolici greci-latini şi ortodocşi greci - vezi mai jos 'Creştinismul copt în zilele noastre'), la fel ca şi mici comunităţi de protestanţi şi anglicani.

Cruce ortodoxă coptă

Comunitatea Bisericilor Vechi Orientale

Biserici autocefale
Armenia | Alexandria | Etiopia | Antiohia | India | Eritrea
Biserici Autonome
Armenia: Cilicia | Ierusalim | Constantinopol
Alexandria: Britanică | Antiohia: Indiană Iacobită


Biserica Coptă însăşi consideră că niciodată nu a adoptat monofizismul în forma în care este combătut de Sinodul de la Calcedon, în schimb fiind adepta miafizismului (o doctrină pe care bisericile orientale ortodoxe o privesc ca fiind corectă şi ortodoxă. În acel sinod, monofizismul a fost definit ca fiind credinţa într-o singură fire (natură) a lui Iisus Hristos. Copţii mărturisesc că Domnul este perfect în divinitatea Sa şi că este perfect în umanitatea Sa, dar divinitatea şi umanitaea Sa erau erau unite într-o singură fire (natură) numită "firea Cuvântului întrupat," definiţie dată de Sfâtul Chiril de Alexandria. Astfel, copţii mărturisesc două firi "umană" şi "divină" care sunt unite într-una singură "fără mingling, fără confuzie şi fără stricăciune" (din declaraţia de credinţă de la sfârşitul Sfintei Liturghii copte). Aceste două firi "nu se separă nici o clipă sau nici cât o clipire de ochi" (de asemenea din declaraţia de credinţă de la sfârşitul Sfintei Liturghii copte).

Istoric

Altar copt din Ierusalim

Egiptul este adesea considerat ca fiind locul de refugiu al Sfintei Familii la fuga lor din Iudeea: "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called My Son (Matei 2:12-23). The Egyptian Church, which is now more than nineteen centuries old, was the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 says "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."

The first Christians in Egypt were mainly Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus, whom the Apostolul Luca addresses in the introductory chapter of his Evangheliei. When the church was founded by Marcu during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, a great multitude of native Egyptians (as opposed to Greeks or Jews) embraced the Christian faith. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the Noului Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 AD, and a fragment of the Evanghelia după Ioan, written in Coptic, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. In the second century Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into the local language, namely Coptic.

Şcoala Catehetică din Alexandria

The Catechetical School of Alexandria is the oldest catechetical school in the world. Founded around 190 by the scholar Pantanaeus, the school of Alexandria became an important institution of religious learning, where students were taught by scholars such as Athenagoras, Clement, Didim, and the great Origen, who was considered the father of theology and who was also active in the field of commentary and comparative Biblical studies. Origen wrote over 6,000 commentaries of the Biblie in addition to his famous Hexapla. Many scholars such as St. Ieronim visited the school of Alexandria to exchange ideas and to communicate directly with its scholars. The scope of this school was not limited to theological subjects; science, mathematics and humanities were also taught there. The question and answer method of commentary began there, and 15 centuries before Braille, wood-carving techniques were in use there by blind scholars to read and write.

The Theological college of the catechetical school of Alexandria was re-established in 1893. The new school currently has campuses in Alexandria, Cairo, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, where Coptic priests-to-be and other qualified men and women are taught among other subjects Christian theology, history, Coptic language and art—including chanting, music, iconography, and tapestry.

Activitate monastică şi misionară

In the third century, during the persecution of Decius, some Christians fled to the desert, and remained there to pray after the persecutions abated. This was the beginning of the monastic movement, which was reorganized by the saints Antonie cel Mare and Pahomie cel Mare in the 4th century. By the end of the century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. A number of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations till this day.

Egyptian monasticism attracted the attention of Christians in other parts of the world, who visited Egypt, many bringing monastic ideas home with them, and spreading monasticism through the Christian world. St. Vasile cel Mare, organizer of the monastic movement in Asia Minor visited Egypt around AD 357 and his rule is followed by the eastern churches; St. Jerome, en route to Jerusalem, stopped in Egypt and left details of his experiences in his letters; St. Benedict din Nursia founded monasteries in the 6th century on the model of Pachomius, but in a stricter form.

Sinodul de la Calcedon

Catedrala coptă Sfântul Marcu din Alexandria
Cruce ortodoxă coptă
Notă: Acest articol (sau părți din el) prezintă o perspectivă anti-calcedoniană, care poate fi diferită ca înțelegere de punctul de vedere al Ortodoxiei Răsăritene (Calcedoniene).

By the time the Sinodul de la Calcedon was called, politics had already started to intermingle with Church affairs. When the Emperor Marcianus interfered with matters of faith in the Church, the response of Dioscor din Alexandria (the Pope of Alexandria who was later to be exiled) to this interference was clear: "You have nothing to do with the Church." It was at Chalcedon that the emperor would take his revenge for the Pope's frankness.

The Council of Chalcedon abandoned Cyrillian terminology and declared that Christ was one hypostasis in two natures. However, in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, "Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary," thus the foundation according to non-Chalcedonians is made clear. In terms of Christology the Oriental understanding is that Christ is "One Nature--the Logos Incarnate," of the full humanity and full divinity. The Byzantine understanding is that Christ is in two natures, full humanity and full divinity. (Just as all of us are of our mother and father and not in our mother and father, so too is the nature of Christ. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the Nestorians teach. Imagine your nature in your mother and your father; you are then two different people. If however your nature is of your mother and your father, then you are one person [1].) This is the linguistic difference which separated the Orientals from the Byzantines.

The Council's finding were rejected by many of the Christians on the fringes of the Byzantine Empire: Egyptians, Syrians, Armenians, and others. From that point onward, Alexandria would have two patriarchs: the "Melkite" or Imperial Patriarch, now officially known by the Egyptian State as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa [2], and the non-Chalcedonian national Egyptian one, now known as the Coptic Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and Apostolic See of St. Mark. Almost the entire Egyptian population rejected the terms of the Council of Chalcedon and remained faithful to the national Egyptian Church (now known as the Coptic Church). Those who supported the Chalcedonian definition remained in communion with the other leading churches of the Roman Empire. The non-Chalcedonian party became what is today called the Oriental Orthodox Church.

The Coptic Church regards herself as having been misunderstood at the Council of Chalcedon. Some Copts believe that perhaps the Council understood the Church correctly, but wanted to exile the Church, to isolate her and to abolish the Egyptian, independent Pope, who maintained that Church and State should remain separate. The Coptic Church regarded that the ousting of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria in the council of Chalcedon was in part due to the rivalry between the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome. The Tome of Pope Leo of Rome was considered influenced by Nestorian philosophy. It is important to note that Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria was never labeled as heretic by the council's canons. Copts also believe that the Pope of Alexandria was forcibly prevented from attending the third congregation of the council in which he was ousted, which apparently was a result of the conspiracy tailored by the Roman delegates. For further info, please refer to this key paper on the subject by Professor Fr. John S. Romanides, a prominent Greek Orthodox scholar.

Before the current positive era of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox dialogues, Chalcedonians sometimes used to call the non-Chalcedonians "monophysites", though the Coptic Church denies that she teaches monophysitism, which she has always regarded as a heresy. They have sometimes called the Chalcedonian group "dyophysites". A term that comes closer to Coptic doctrine is "miaphysite" [3], which refers to a conjoined nature for Christ, both human and divine, united indivisibly in the Incarnate Logos. The Coptic Church believes that Christ is perfect in His divinity, and He is perfect in His humanity, but His divinity and His humanity were united in one nature called "the nature of the incarnate word", which was reiterated by Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Copts, thus, believe in two natures "human" and "divine" that are united in one hypostasis without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration. These two natures did not separate for a moment or the twinkling of an eye (Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil of Caesarea).

Copts suffered under the rule of the Byzantine Imperiul Roman de Răsărit. The Melkite Patriarchs, appointed by the emperors as both spiritual leaders and civil governors, massacred the Egyptian population whom they considered heretics. Many Egyptians were tortured and martyred to accept the terms of Chalcedon, but Egyptians remained loyal to the faith of their fathers and to the Cyrillian view of Hristologie. One of the most renowned Egyptian saints of that period is Saint Samuel Mărturisitorul.

Cucerirea arabă a Egiptului

The Arab conquest of Egypt took place in AD 641. Although the Imperial forces resisted the Arab army under Amr ibn al-As, the majority of the civilian population, having suffered persecution for the differing Christian beliefs, were less hostile; in some cases they welcomed their new masters. Considered "People of the Book", Christians were allowed to practice their religion, under the restrictions of the Islamic Shari'a law. This protection stemmed in part from a Hadith of Muhammad (whose Egyptian wife had been the only one to bear a male child) that advised "When you conquer Egypt, be kind to the Copts for they are your proteges and kith and kin" and in part from a need to have capable administrators.

Despite the political upheaval, Egypt remained a predominently Christian land, although gradual conversions to Islam over the centuries had the effect of changing Egypt from a predominantly Christian to a predominantly Muslim country by the end of the 12th century. This process was sped along by persecutions during and following the reign of the mad Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (reigned AD 996-1021) and the Crusades, and also by the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria, Gabriel ibn-Turaik.

Din secolul al XIX-lea până la revoluţia din 1952

The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855, the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the Jizya tax, was lifted. Shortly thereafter, Christians started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Christian components. However, recently (2005-2006) Christians have unfortunately been persecuted in various parts of Egypt.

Creştinismul copt astăzi

Sărbătoare coptă în Egiptul de Sus.

The current Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is Pope Shenouda III. There is a small Coptic Catholic Church (Eastern Rite Catholic) established in the 19th century and headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria in communion with the Pope of Rome. The Melkite Greek Catholic Church has little presence in Egypt, but is headed by a Patriarch of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem.

By some accounts there are about 60 million Coptic Orthodox Christians in the world: they are found primarily in Egypt (roughly 15 million), Ethiopia (roughly 38 million [4]), and Eritrea (roughly 2 million), but there are significant numbers in North America, Europe, Australia, Sudan and Israel, and in diaspora throughout the world making approximately another 3 to 4 million. However, as applied to the Tewahedo Church of Ethiopia, which in 1959 was granted her first own Patriarch by Coptic Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria, the word Coptic can be considered a misnomer because it means Egyptian. The Eritrean Orthodox Church similarly became independent of the Tewahedo Church during the 1990s. These three churches remain in full communion with each other and with the other Oriental Orthodox churches.

Since the 1980s theologians from the the Oriental Orthodox and Chalcedonian Orthodox churches have been meeting in a bid to resolve the theological differences, and have concluded that many of the differences are caused by the two groups using different terminology to describe the same thing (see Agreed Official Statements on Christology with the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches). In the summer of 2001, the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria agreed to mutually recognize baptisms performed in each other's churches, making rebaptisms unnecessary, and to recognize the sacrament of marriage as celebrated by the other. Previously, if a Coptic and Greek wanted to marry, the marriage had to be performed twice, once in each church, for it to be recognized by both. Now it can be done in only one church and be recognized by both.

In the Coptic Church only men may be ordained, and they must be married before they are ordained, if they wish to be married. In this respect they follow the same practices as does the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Traditionally, the Coptic language [5] was used in church services, and the scriptures were written in the Coptic alphabet [6]. However, due to the Arabisation of Egypt, service in churches started to witness increased use of Arabic, while preaching is done entirely in Arabic. Native languages are used, in conjunction with Coptic, during services outside of Egypt.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has her own, unique purely religious/liturgical music and chants [7], [8], [9], [10] (some are also used by Coptic Catholics).

Following their own church calendar (Coptic Calendar), Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January which, since 2002, is an official national holiday in Egypt. The Coptic calendar is the calendar of martyrs. Coptic years are counted from 284 AD, the year Diocletian became Roman Emperor, whose reign was marked by tortures and mass executions of Christians, especially in Egypt. Hence, the Coptic year is identified by the abbreviation AM (for Anno Martyrum or "Year of the Martyrs").

The Coptic Orthodox Church also has her own distinguished Coptic art [11], [12]; iconography [13], [14], [15]; and architecture [16], [17].

Biserici ortodoxe copte în lume

Africa

Asia

Australia and Oceania

Europa

America de Nord

America de Sud


Sfinţi ai Bisericii Copte

Notă: Unii din cei menţionaţi aici nu sunt înscrişi ca sfinţi în calendarul Bisericii Ortodoxe (calcedoniene).

Vezi şi

Izvoare

Legături externe

Bibliografie

Adus de la „https://ro.orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Biserica_din_Alexandria_(coptă)&oldid=10469”