Coptic comes from the Greek for Egyptian (Aegyptos) = gypt = Copt Remember Egypt was ruled by the Greeks for long while.
Also, we believe that Christ is human and divine and have said so in our Liturgy for 2,000 years: "His divinity parted not from His humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye."
I'm not offended, and also certainly hope I haven't offended you!
About the word Copt--I guess we would just rather ignore the Arab Invasion step in the creation of our name--haha :o).
And you're right that Coptic Orthodoxy (along with the Syriac, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Indian and Armenian Orthodox Churches) was split from the rest of Orthodoxy at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
The argument, however, was over whether Christ had one nature or two.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches (as we are called nowadays) believe that Christ has only ONE nature, equally and perfectly comprised both humanity and divinity.
The Eastern Orthodox believe that Christ has two natures: human and divine.
If you're confused, you should be. It's confusing.
The problem came in that the Greeks (who, at the time, had lots of power in Egypt) used this disagreement in wording to political ends--which we rebelled against by essentially seceding from the group.
You're not the only one to think we believe that Christ is only divine... I recently looked up "Copt" in "The Middle East for Dummies" and found that same error (which has also appeared in many supposedly elite encyclopedias).
You're in Egypt now (as I can see), so ask the first priest you see. Ask any Sunday school servant. It's kind of funny that a misunderstanding from 1500 years ago still comes up pretty regularly :o).
Also, I don't know if you're a Christian or not, but... if Christ is only human or only divine then we have not been saved.
The One who dies on the Cross has to be without sin (no man is without sin, so He has to be divine), He has to be human (because He's redeeming a human sin), He has to be infinite (so that this salvation can apply to all throughout time--a divine trait), and He has to die (only humans are mortal).
Actually, you're wrong on both counts...
ReplyDeleteCoptic comes from the Greek for Egyptian (Aegyptos) = gypt = Copt
Remember Egypt was ruled by the Greeks for long while.
Also, we believe that Christ is human and divine and have said so in our Liturgy for 2,000 years: "His divinity parted not from His humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye."
Affectionately,
A Copt
Dear A Copt,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I am glad to know that there are people reading my blog.
The word "Copt" is a corruption of the arabic Qipti which is derived from the Greek word Aegyptios, meaning Egyptian.
I thought that the Egyptian christians split from the orthodox church after the Council of Chalcedon proclaimed the human and divine nature of Christ.
Please correct me if I am wrong. I have no intention to offend.
Yours faithfully,
Not A Copt
Dear Not A Copt,
ReplyDeleteI'm not offended, and also certainly hope I haven't offended you!
About the word Copt--I guess we would just rather ignore the Arab Invasion step in the creation of our name--haha :o).
And you're right that Coptic Orthodoxy (along with the Syriac, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Indian and Armenian Orthodox Churches) was split from the rest of Orthodoxy at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
The argument, however, was over whether Christ had one nature or two.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches (as we are called nowadays) believe that Christ has only ONE nature, equally and perfectly comprised both humanity and divinity.
The Eastern Orthodox believe that Christ has two natures: human and divine.
If you're confused, you should be. It's confusing.
The problem came in that the Greeks (who, at the time, had lots of power in Egypt) used this disagreement in wording to political ends--which we rebelled against by essentially seceding from the group.
You're not the only one to think we believe that Christ is only divine... I recently looked up "Copt" in "The Middle East for Dummies" and found that same error (which has also appeared in many supposedly elite encyclopedias).
You're in Egypt now (as I can see), so ask the first priest you see. Ask any Sunday school servant. It's kind of funny that a misunderstanding from 1500 years ago still comes up pretty regularly :o).
Also, I don't know if you're a Christian or not, but... if Christ is only human or only divine then we have not been saved.
The One who dies on the Cross has to be without sin (no man is without sin, so He has to be divine), He has to be human (because He's redeeming a human sin), He has to be infinite (so that this salvation can apply to all throughout time--a divine trait), and He has to die (only humans are mortal).
:o)
Dear A Copt,
ReplyDeleteI am not a christian.
To put it simply, do Copts believe that Christ was
A Human
B Divine
C Human and Divine
Please enlighten me . Thank you