History
The Coptic Church History spans 20 centuries, and for a large part of this we were separated from the other Christian denominations in the world.
These denominations arose from weaknesses and differences in understanding and interpretation.
There are various reasons for studying history:
- To learn about and learn from the stories of our Saints and Fathers,
- To see the Apostolic command and learn from their examples, as written in Hebrews,
- To understand the intimate relationship between history and the dogma of the church. The dogma which was defended by the blood of our Fathers.
Which is one of the four apostolic Sees (Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem and Constantinople later became a See).
THE WORD ‘COPTIC’: comes from the Greek ‘egyptos’
THE COPTIC YEAR: is done by the circle of a star and was established before Christianity.
It consists of 12 months, which each consist of 30 days and one more month which lasts 5/6 days. It was so accurate you could time the flooding of the Nile by it.
THE FIRST YEAR is 284AD, noting the rising of emperor Diocletian for his reign, which brought a great amount of persecution
ST. MARK: Originating from North Africa also plays a significant role; tradition states that his village was plundered by Barbarians forcing them to immigrate back to Israel during Jesus’ preaching’s.
HIS ROLE:
- The first church, which was last supper that occurred in his house,
- Also Pentecost and where the apostles stayed,
- Author of one of the four gospels.
His title is ‘Pe Theorimos’ (the one who saw the God), and ‘Evangelist’.
He travelled with St. Paul and St. Barnabus to Cyprus and Asia Minor but could not finish the journey.
On the second missionary journey, St. Paul to St. Silas and St. Barnabus and St. Mark went to Cyprus where it is believed St. Barnabus died. St. Mark chose to go to his home country to preach Through Alexandria.
In Alexandria, he walked on his own where he faced the Greek philosophers, Jews Romans and Egyptians. The centre of all knowledge in the world.
Tradition states that his sandal strap tore and the shoemaker Annanius who cut his hand and screamed, “the one God.” On this St. mark preached to him and eventually he became the first Bishop and his family were baptised.
St. Mark left to assist Peter in Rome and then returned to Egypt in 68AD.
During one Easter, the feast coincided with that of the pagan feast. Agitated by this they stormed the Church, tied him to a horse and dragged him till he was half dead. The next day the rope was tied around his head and he was dragged till his death. The pagans wanted to burn his body but a storm arose to dispel the crowds. The followers of St. Mark took his holy body.
Summary
Dates to remember:
- St Marks Martyrdom was AD 68
- 284 AD start of the Coptic Nayrooz