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Doctrine & Theology
Doctrinal and theological topics.
01Al-Safi ibn al-AssalAl-Safi ibn al-Assal was a thirteenth-century Coptic canonist and religious writer whose works included the influential Nomocanon, patristic epitomes, homilies, and Christian apologetics.[^1][^7][^10]02AphthartodocetismAphthartodocetism is the teaching associated with Julian of Halicarnassus that Christ’s body was incorruptible from the moment of union, rather than only after the Resurrection.[^1]03Athanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of Alexandria, known as the Apostolic and the Great, was the twentieth patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, a defender of Nicene Christianity, and an influential theological writer.[^1][^2]04Awlad al-AssalThe Awlad al-Assal were a prominent medieval Coptic family whose thirteenth-century writers contributed to canon law, biblical scholarship, theology, and the study of the Coptic language.[^1][^3]05BaptismIn Coptic Orthodox teaching, baptism is spiritual rebirth through triple immersion in the name of the Trinity, uniting the recipient with Christ and the Church.[^1]06Catechetical School of AlexandriaThe Catechetical School of Alexandria developed from instruction for catechumens into a center of Christian theological and philosophical learning, associated with Pantaenus, Clement, Origen, and Didymus the Blind.[^1][^2][^3]07Christ's Descent into HadesIn Coptic Orthodox teaching, Christ descended into Hades after His death, freeing the righteous and bringing them to paradise; the doctrine is recalled in Easter worship.[^1][^4]08Coptic Christian Literature in ArabicCopto-Arabic literature encompasses Arabic writings and translations associated with Coptic Christianity, including history, theology, biblical commentary, liturgical texts, and religious poetry.[^1][^2][^3]09Coptic Doctrine of the Holy SpiritCoptic doctrine affirms the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Trinity, consubstantial and coeternal with the Father and the Son, whose sanctifying activity is expressed in sacramental and spiritual life.[^1][^6]10Coptic Orthodox LaityCoptic Orthodox laypeople have contributed to martyrdom, scholarship, worship, charity, education, and community administration, with their relationship to clerical authority taking different forms over time.[^1][^2][^3]11Council of ChalcedonThe Council of Chalcedon (451) defined Christ’s two natures and deposed Dioscorus of Alexandria, becoming a decisive turning point in Coptic relations with Rome and Constantinople and shaping centuries of ecclesiastical, political, and cultural history.12Cyril of AlexandriaSaint Cyril of Alexandria, patriarch from 412 to 444, defended the title Theotokos, presided at Ephesus, and left an enduring theological, exegetical, canonical, and liturgical legacy in the Coptic Church.[^1][^5][^13]13Encomium of the Virgin Mary attributed to Philip of AnatoliaAn encomium attributed to Philip of Anatolia survives in two fragmentary manuscripts, praising Mary and recounting events surrounding her life and Christ’s birth.[^1][^2]14EpiclesisEpiclesis is the invocation of God upon a person or thing; in Coptic eucharistic worship, it includes prayer for the transformation of the offerings and the sanctification of the faithful.[^1]15EucharistThe Eucharist is one of the seven sacraments of the Coptic Church, in which bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, uniting communicants with Him.[^1]16Inaugural Homily of Pope Mark IIDelivered after Mark II’s enthronement in Alexandria, the inaugural homily survives in Coptic and emphasizes Christ’s real humanity and the unity of his divine and human nature without confusion.[^1][^3]17Institution NarrativeThe Institution Narrative recounts Christ’s institution of the Eucharist and begins the prayers for blessing the elements in the Coptic liturgy.[^1]18Julian of HalicarnassusJulian of Halicarnassus was an anti-Chalcedonian bishop whose teaching on the incorruptibility of Christ’s body brought him into controversy with Severus of Antioch.[^1][^4]19Kitab al-BurhanKitab al-Burhan names two works in Coptic literature: a fifty-two-chapter compendium by Abu Shakir ibn al-Rahib and a defense of Christianity by Butrus Sawirus al-Jamil.[^1][^2]20Kitab Jala’ al-‘Uqul fi ‘Ilm al-UsulKitab Jala’ al-‘Uqul fi ‘Ilm al-Usul is an eighteen-chapter theological work listed among Ibn Kabar’s writings, treating Christian doctrines including divine unity, the Trinity, and the Incarnation.[^1]21Last JudgmentThe Last Judgment is the final reckoning after the resurrection of the dead, when God judges humanity according to its deeds. Coptic teaching presents it as universal and following Christ’s Second Coming.[^1][^2]22Letters to Serapion on the Holy SpiritWritten by Athanasius in 359–360 in response to Serapion of Tmuis, these letters explain the divinity and procession of the Holy Spirit and connect the Spirit’s divine nature with human sanctification.[^1][^3]23Life-giving Flesh of ChristChrist’s flesh is life-giving through its union with Him who is Life by nature; Eucharistic communion communicates participation in His risen life.[^1][^3]24MiaphysitismCoptic Christology affirms Christ’s perfect divinity and perfect humanity united in one nature, without mingling, confusion, or change, and rejects both Nestorianism and Eutychianism.[^1][^7]25MonarchianismMonarchianism was an early Christian movement in controversies over the Trinity, comprising two distinct groups: Modalist Monarchians and Adoptionist or Dynamic Monarchians.[^1][^3]26Panegyric of Macarius of TkowThe Panegyric of Macarius of Tkow is a hagiographical work attributed to Dioscorus of Alexandria, presenting Macarius as an exemplary bishop and defender of Egyptian opposition to Chalcedon.[^1][^2]27Philip of AnatoliaPhilip of Anatolia is a bishop mentioned in the Coptic History of the Church and the attributed author of an Encomium of the Virgin Mary whose authorship is uncertain.[^1][^3][^7]28PneumatomachianismPneumatomachianism was an offshoot of Arianism that denied the Holy Spirit’s divinity and consubstantiality with the Father and the Son; the church of Alexandria opposed it.[^1]29Pope Dioscorus I of AlexandriaDioscorus I, twenty-fifth patriarch of Alexandria and successor of Cyril the Great, is venerated as a Coptic saint and commemorated on 7 Tut.[^1][^2]30Pope Gabriel VIPope Gabriel VI was the ninety-first patriarch of the See of Saint Mark (1466–1475), formerly a monk and superior of the Monastery of Saint Antony.[^1][^2]31Sacrament of ConfessionThe Sacrament of Confession involves acknowledging sins before a priest with genuine contrition in order to receive absolution.[^1]