Coptic Orthodox Church

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/coptic-orthodox-church

1. What is the ecclesiastical tradition?
2. What is the see of the patriarchate?
3. Who founded the Coptic Orthodox Church and when?
4. Why does the Coptic Orthodox Church have its own special beliefs about Jesus?

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the ecclesiastical tradition?Oriental Orthodox
2. What is the see of the patriarchate?Alexandria, Egypt
3. Who founded the Coptic Orthodox Church and when?Tradition says Saint Mark the Evangelist started the church in Alexandria around 42 AD, making it very old.
4. Why does the Coptic Orthodox Church have its own special beliefs about Jesus?After a big church meeting in 451 AD, the Coptic Church chose a different idea about Jesus, believing He is both fully God and fully human in one nature, called Miaphysitism.

Miaphysitism: A Christological doctrine asserting the belief in the single, unified nature of Christ, both divine and human.
Apostolic See: A bishopric or patriarchate founded by one of the original Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Ecumenical Dialogue: Interdenominational discussions and cooperation aimed at promoting Christian unity.