What Do Copts Believe?
The Coptic Orthodox Church holds the historic, apostolic Christian faith—the same faith confessed in the Nicene Creed and lived through Scripture, worship, and the sacramental life of the Church.¹ ²
One God: The Holy Trinity
Copts believe in one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct Persons (Hypostases), one divine essence.¹ ² The Creed is prayed in the Church as a living confession of this faith, rooted in the Bible and the teaching of the early Fathers.³
Jesus Christ: Fully God and Fully Man
Copts believe that Jesus Christ is perfect in His divinity and perfect in His humanity.¹ God the Word truly became man for our salvation—without ceasing to be God.²
The Coptic Orthodox Church also teaches the unity of Christ’s divinity and humanity: His divine and human natures are united without separation, confusion, or alteration, in the one Person of the Incarnate Word.⁴
The Bible and Holy Tradition
Copts believe the Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments) is God’s word, inspired and authoritative for faith and life.¹ The Church also treasures Holy Tradition—the apostolic teaching and worship handed down through generations—as a faithful guide for understanding and living the gospel.¹ ³
The Church and the Sacraments
Coptic Orthodox life is deeply sacramental. The Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Confession, Eucharist (Communion), Priesthood, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick.¹
Baptism is understood as a true new birth and is traditionally practiced by immersion, and the Eucharist is received as the true communion with Christ.¹
Saints, the Virgin Mary, and the Hope of Eternal Life
Copts honor and ask the prayers (intercessions) of the Virgin Mary, the angels, and the saints, as beloved members of God’s family.¹
Copts also look for the resurrection of the dead, the life of the age to come, and the Second Coming of Christ, and they believe that genuine faith is meant to be lived out through a life of repentance, love, and obedience to God.¹ ²
Sources:
Coptic Orthodox Church (official website), “What is the Coptic Orthodox Church?” (Articles of Faith; Trinity, Christ’s divinity & humanity, Bible, Tradition, sacraments, saints, Second Coming). Coptic Orthodox Church
H.H. Pope Tawadros II (official website), “The Orthodox Creed: A Declaration of Love” (Creed as summary of Christian faith; Trinity; Incarnation; Church; baptism; resurrection and life to come). Coptic Orthodox Church
H.H. Pope Tawadros II (official website), “The Bible & The Creed” (Creed prayed as an orthodox confession grounded in Scripture and Fathers). Coptic Orthodox Church
H.H. Pope Tawadros II (official website), interview statement on the Coptic Church’s faith in “the One Nature” and the union of Christ’s divinity and humanity “without separation, confusion, or alteration.” Coptic Orthodox Church
