a lot of Catholic/Evangelical Converted to Copts Church

The Term "Copts"
The term "Copts" is equivalent to the word "Egyptians." It is derived from the Greek "Aigyyptos," which in turns is derived from the ancient Egyptian "Ha-ka-Ptah," i.e. "the house of the spirit Ptah," a most highly revered deity in Egyptian mythology. From the Arab conquest and until today, This term refers to the Christian Egyptians to distinguish them from the native Muslims.

SONS OF PHAROHS
The Copts as the successors of the ancient Egyptians are defined as the modern sons of the Pharaohs. They played an essential role in the whole Christian world, especially during the first five centuries.

Their religious background helped them to accept Christianity with eagerness and to enjoy its depth through their ascetic life, meditation and studying of the Holy Scripture.

In this topic we wish to throw some light on the ancient Egyptian culture and how it reacted towards the new Christian faith.

Their religious background: It is well known that nature and upbringing have religiously minded ancient Egyptians since the very early times. Herodotus states that "The Egyptians are religious to excess, far beyond any other race of men." Their religious curiosity was satisfied by the Christian faith that puts no limits to spiritual progress, for it raises the believers towards the bosom of the Father that they might enjoy the likeness of God, fast communion with Him and acknowledgment of the eternal divine mysteries.
Their high scientific background: Modern science achieved unceasing progress, particularly in the last century. Many of the ancient Egyptians' scientific work which took place thousands of years before Christ are still considered to be obscure secrets; for example the pyramids with their scientific wonder and mysteries, the art of embalming, the art of carving, colored painting on walls etc. All of these arts are still under research to the extent that some believe that the ancient Egyptians were working under the guidance of superhuman (coming from the outer space), or from other stars. Some consider that man would have conquered space much earlier if the library of Alexandria had not been burned, which led to losing scientific secrets of great importance.
In any case, the fact is that the ancient Egyptians put their scientific abilities at the disposal of the religious thinking (such as the building of the pyramids, embalming etc.). It had influenced the Copts. They looked to science not as an enemy of religion or contrary to it, but that science acts in favor of religion. Therefore, the school of Alexandria opened its doors to the scholars and philosophers, believing that science and philosophy could serve the true spiritual life.
Their religious dogmas:
Each major town in ancient Egypt used to recognize some kind of a triad. But these triads were too alien from the Christian Holy Trinity.
Their philosophers believed in One Supreme Being; the best example is King Ikhnaton (1383-1365 B. C.).
While the majority of the ancient civilizations were preoccupied with the earthly life, seeking temporary pleasures, the Egyptian mind was absorbed in the world to come, and in the resurrection. When they were converted to Christianity, they became involved in awaiting the advent of the Risen Christ, through their lengthy hymns, excessive fasting, enduring and suffering with joy. This eschatological attitude has its effect on our worship, liturgies and even in our daily life.
The Cross: Egyptians tended to identify the Cross with their own sign of eternal life, "the Ankh," which was held in the hands of the immortals such as gods and pharaohs. The "Ankh" sign took the shape of a cruciform with rounded tip, which was readily adopted and used by the Copts from the very early times.
In addition to this, the Egyptians seem to have had an idea of the unity of God, His eternity, His infinity, as well as His loving kindness.
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Expert: Ashraf Nisseem
Date: 6/6/2007
Subject: Catholic converting to Coptic Orthodox

Question
I am planning to marry a person who was baptized in the Catholic Church and I understand that he needs to be converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Can you explain what this entails and also if there are any differences for him to convert to a Catholic Orthodox Church instead of a Coptic Orthodox Church as I believe we can still be married if he is Catholic Orthodox.

One thing I struggle with is - is it the Church or God that prevents marriage between Catholic and Orthodox. He has agreed to raise our children in the Orthodox faith and so why should I be prevented from receiving the sacrament of communion if he does not convert and I marry him - Thank You.


Answer
hi lisa,

thnx much for ur question.

to convert to be a Copt ur guy will need to understand the faith he is going to follow. if he is content and the Church believes he is willing to live a true Orthodox life then he will be baptized. he must be fully aware of the promises he makes then.

there is nothing called Catholic Orthodox.

we do not see God but we know his will through the Holy Bible. Coptic Church is strict regarding marriage but also Catholic Church will not give u any other sacrament except marriage if ur not Catholic. they r strict too. the differences between the two faiths r not at all small.

To list a few:
The filioque:
In the Creed we recite "We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father" The Roman Catholic Church adds "and the Son" making the Holy Spirit a lesser degree than the two Hypostases.


The Immaculate Conception:
Roman Catholics believe that St. Mary was born without the original sin. This is not acceptable at all for St. Mary herself said "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). If she has been born without sin why does she need salvation!

There are other differences like the infallibility of the Pope, the purgatory and many others. You can read about them in details at this website: (geocities mgocsmbvli/orth_cath)

u attend a mass to receive Holy Communion. this is when u become united with Christ. u can't be united with someone whose faith is incorrect and then be granted a unity with Jesus Christ through Communion.

Catholics also believe that Holy Communion is only for those who profess the Catholic faith. they do not give Holy Communion for non Catholics.

plz go to (youthbishopric) and read about mixed marriage. u will find some good info there.

i think the best way is for both of u to try to know what is special or different about being a Copt.
God knows what's in ur heart and he does not need a certificate to know what u beleive or think. if he converts only to give a legal appearence to ur marriage in the eye of church then u will lose either ur relationship with God or with each other. it is better if u know at first what is Orthodoxy and the value of being so. i suggest u both read about Coptic Orthodoxy and the way we view life, marriage, church, Christ, St. Mary, salvation, etc. u can read short and clear answers about what u need to know at the youth bishopric website mentioned above.

God be with u both.

salam El Massih maakom
ur servant,
ashraf


Expert: Ashraf Nisseem
Date: 6/11/2007
Subject: Coptic opinion on the Validity of Roman Mysteries

Question
I know there is quiet alot that seperates us from the Roman Church and that at present we cannot partake of Holy Eucharist with them. However I would like to know; does the Coptic Church accept in principle the Validity of the Roman Churches Mysteries such as Eucharist, Baptism etc?


Answer
hello drew,
thnx for ur question.
Coptic Church does not recognize the sacraments of Cathloic Church. Catholic Church also does not recognize the sacraments of Coptic Church. in both Churches sacraments r only givin to someone who follows the same faith or is a member of a Church that is in full communion. only the sacrament of marriage can be offered to non Catholics by Catholic Church. if a Copt is married in a Catholic Church then the marriage is not recognized by Coptic Church.
God be with u.
urs in Christ,
ashraf

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[MysticalCity]

@mleonetti1991 "I am held in the communion of the Catholic Church by...and by the succession of bishops from the very seat of Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection commended His sheep to be fed up to the present episcopate." Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani, 5 (A.D. 395).

"It has been ordained by the apostles and their successors, that nothing be read in the Catholic Church, except the law, and the prophets, and the Gospels." Philastrius of Brescia, On Heresies (ante A.D. 387).

[MysticalCity]

@mleonetti1991 “Concerning this Holy Catholic Church Paul writes to Timothy, 'That thou mayest know haw thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth'” Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures,18:25(A.D. 350).

i have many more quotes from the early Church Fathers regarding the Catholic Church, you will not find another church Father saying anything about another church.

[MysticalCity]

@NYlaxer multiple churches? Matt. 16:18 - Jesus says, "I will build my 'Church' (not churches)." There is only one Church built upon one Rock with one teaching authority, not many different denominations, built upon various pastoral opinions and suggestions.

1 Cor. 14:33 - God cannot be the author of the Protestant confusion. Only the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church claims and proves to be Christ's Church.

[NYlaxer]

Stop fighting guys. We are all Christian. There can be multiple churches as long as they were established by an apostle. there were 12 apostles NOT ONE. leave everything else to your prayers and God and continue believing what you know is right. The more conflict we have the weaker we are as a family. As Christ's family.just stop.

[MysticalCity]

@mleonetti1991 The Only True pope at that time was the bishop of Rome, other sects can't ordain saints, i think you might of thought they were coptic, because coptics honored them,

“He promises to found the church, assigning immovableness to it, as He is the Lord of strength, and over this he sets Peter as shepherd.” Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Matthew (A.D. 428).



[mleonetti1991]

@MysticalCity I'm Catholic also, and I believe that there is only one pope...however there is a saint in both the Coptic and Catholic Church that was pope of Alexandria who was named Saint Cyril of Alexandria...IDK why he was called "pope" but apparently he was during the time when the Coptic church was in communion with Rome. Plus there are Coptic saints such as Saint Abraham the Syrian and Saint Cyril VI.

[MysticalCity]

coptic saints= zero

baptist saints= zero

protestant saints= zero

along with the other 50,000 denominations, Every saint was Catholic, Jesus said he was going to build his Church, NOT CHURCHES. And Saint Peter was the first Pope, shame on shenouda for calling himself pope, we have One Pope right now and his name is Benedict.

[mattd259]

Oh and lastly, it is not we who make the case that Peter is the rock on whom Christ builds His Church. These are Christs words, not ours.

[mattd259]

@mumswording Also, Christ says that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against HIS CHURCH, not Peter. I would say that your saying that satan defeated Peter is a exaggeration. But in any case, if Christ can turn a Saul, one of the greatest persecutors of the Chuch, into a Paul, one of the greatest fathers of the Church, ( and I say that the evils enacted through him were greater than Peters), then why cant he make a Peter out of a Simon? Also,the first bishops were instituted at the last suppr

[mattd259]

@mumswording If the gospel writer had intended to show that Peter was not suitable to be a big rock, he would have used the word petros for both cases. Also, as eraser695 mentions, the word Cephas is used in its original Aramiac in john 1:42 for example. Secondly, we do not make the case that Peter was the salvation of the world. But just as Moses had a unique role in bringing the Jews to God and the promised land, so does Peter have a unique role in bringing the Church to Christ (as His Vicar)