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| Coptic Pope of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Title | Pope of Alexandria |
| Style | His Holiness |
| Cathedral | Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral |
| First formation | 1st century AD |
| Founder | Saint Mark the Evangelist |
| Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria |
| Jurisdiction | Patriarchate of Alexandria |
| Residence | Coptic Orthodox Patriarchal Residence (Cairo) |
Coptic Pope of Alexandria is the traditional designation for the bishop who serves as primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, an Oriental Orthodox patriarchate with ancient roots in Alexandria, Egypt, tracing succession to Mark the Evangelist, early patriarchs and the wider Christian communities of late antiquity. The office combines spiritual, administrative and liturgical leadership across dioceses in Egypt, Africa and a global diaspora, interfacing with institutions and states such as the Byzantine Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate, the Ayyubid Sultanate, the Ottoman Empire and modern Arab Republic of Egypt. Over centuries the holder has engaged with theological controversies like the Council of Chalcedon and ecclesial negotiations involving the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and other Oriental Orthodox communions.
The episcopal seat in Alexandria developed from the apostolic era through Hellenistic and Roman periods with leaders such as Athanasius of Alexandria and Cyril of Alexandria shaping dogma and pastoral practice amid controversies including the Arian controversy and the Council of Ephesus. Following the Council of Chalcedon schism, the Alexandrian patriarchate split into Miaphysite and Chalcedonian lines, producing parallel claimants and later the separate trajectories of the Coptic and Greek patriarchates. During the Islamic conquests and the rule of the Rashidun Caliphate and Fatimid Caliphate, the office negotiated communal rights, taxation policies such as the jizya arrangements, and juridical status with caliphs and viziers. Under Mamluk Sultanate and Ottoman Empire rule the patriarch worked with metropolitan bishops and monastic networks like Monastery of Saint Anthony and Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great to preserve liturgy, canon law and monasticism. In the modern era the patriarchate engaged with British Egypt administration, the Coptic diaspora in United States, Australia and Europe, and ecumenical dialogues exemplified by meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope of Rome.
The holder bears titles that reflect apostolic succession, such as "Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa" and historically "Defender of the Faith" used in local registers, linking to figures like Saint Mark the Evangelist and early bishops. The role combines episcopal oversight with patriarchal prerogatives over dioceses, monasteries, theological education centers like Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary and administrative bodies such as the Holy Synod. The patriarch's responsibilities touch liturgical rites derived from Alexandrian tradition, pastoral letters addressing communities in Upper Egypt, Cairo and Alexandria, and representation in international fora including the World Council of Churches and bilateral contacts with heads of state like presidents of Egypt and leaders of regional organizations.
Selection follows canonical procedures maintained by the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, historically involving nominations from metropolitans, bishops and monastics from monasteries such as Wadi El Natrun. Ordination incorporates rites of episcopal consecration using relics and chrism traditions rooted in Alexandrian liturgy and involves symbols like the bishop's omophorion and crosier. In different eras secular authorities influenced choices — Byzantine emperors, medieval sultans, Ottoman governors and modern republican administrations — resulting in negotiated processes recorded alongside papal elections of figures like Pope Shenouda III and Pope Cyril VI.
The patriarch preserves and promulgates the Alexandrian rite and the Coptic liturgical corpus including euchologies, anaphoras and hymnography influenced by Saint Basil the Great and Alexandrian hymnographers. The office issues teachings on Christological formulations that align with Miaphysitism and the Christology articulated by Severus of Antioch and the non-Chalcedonian tradition, and the patriarchal teaching office interacts with theological faculties, monastic scholars and catechetical schools that trace lineage to Catechetical School of Alexandria. The patriarchate adjudicates doctrinal disputes, oversees canon law consistent with councils and synodal decrees, and issues pastoral guidelines on sacramental practice, clerical discipline and monastic vows.
Relations include ecumenical dialogues and recognized schisms: formal communion with other Oriental Orthodox Churches like the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; historic rivalry and later rapprochement with the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria; intermittent engagement with the Roman Catholic Church culminating in modern exchanges with the Pope of Rome; and theological conversations with the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant denominations through bodies like the World Council of Churches.
The patriarchal residence has shifted from ancient Alexandria to modern seats in Cairo such as Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiya and the patriarchal compound near Old Cairo. Symbols associated with the office include the patriarchal staff, the patriarchal throne modeled on ancient basilicas, the patriarchal cross, and relics attributed to Saint Mark housed in cathedrals and monasteries. Liturgical vestments, the patriarchal seal and official encyclicals serve as marks of authority in ecclesiastical administration and public representation.
- Mark the Evangelist (traditionally regarded as founder) - Athanasius of Alexandria - Cyril of Alexandria - Dioscorus of Alexandria - Timothy Aelurus - Pope Benjamin I of Alexandria - Pope Michael I of Alexandria - Pope John XII of Alexandria - Pope Gabriel VII of Alexandria - Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria - Pope Shenouda III