The Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church

1. The Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church

2. Timeline • 49 A.D. Council of Jerusalem - ACTS (exempted all pagan converts from the laws of Judaism ) • 325 A.D. Council of Nicea (the Doctrine of the Trinity and said that Jesus is Human and Divine, wrote the Nicean Creed) • 381 A.D. First Council of Constantinople (belief in Holy Spirit added to Nicean Creed) • 431 A.D. Council of Ephesus (Christ has two natures but one person)

3. Council of Chalcedon • 451(AD) • held to oppose the Monophysites who rejected the two natures of Christ • Council declared that “Christ existed in two natures, without mixture or change, without division or separation, but that His two natures were held in union in one person without losing the separate distinction of either nature”(1)

4. NON-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church • Rejected Council of Chalcedon, claiming that Christ has only one nature, a Divine nature • Some sects in the Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church claim that they do not reject the teachings of the Council but were exiled from the Church for misunderstanding and political reasons.

5. Sects in the Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church • The Oriental Orthodox includes sects of Non-Chalcedonian Churches in union with each other: • The Armenian Apostolic Church • The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria • The British Orthodox Church • The Eritrean Orthodox Church (Tewahedo Church) • The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (Tewahedo Church) • The Malankara Orthodox Church of the East (also known as the Indian Orthodox Church) • The Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (also known as the Syrian Orthodox Church) • The Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church

6. The Coptic Orthodox Church • Founded in the First Century when St. Mark brought the Gospel to Egypt • Church claims that it is the fulfillment of the prophesy in Isaiah 19:19 "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."

7. Historical Figures • St Mark: brought Christianity to Egypt • Pope of Alexandria: St Athanasius: wrote Nicean Creed • Pope Shenouda IIICurrent Pope (Pictured Right)

8. Saints • The Coptic Orthodox are very devoted to the Saints, however, they reject any worship of the saints. They keep their devotion to Intercessory Prayer. • Icons are very important to their Worship. Icons are generally images of Christ or the Saints. There are more icons of Mary than any other saint.

9. Icon of Mary Icon of St Mark

10. Formal Set of Beliefs • Nicean Creed: Written at the Council of nicea. It is a statement of belief and is said at every Mass • Accept the first five ecumenical councils including the council of Chalcedon - This is an issue of much controversy in the Christianity. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims that they were misunderstood at the Council of Chalcedon. They say that they were separated from the Church at this Council for political reasons and not for Doctrinal reasons.

11. Fasting • Fasting is a fundamental part of the Coptic Orthodox Faith. • They fast more than any other Christian Community, fasting 210 days a year. • A Fast is refraining from all animal products (meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, butter, etc.) Also, no food or drink between sunrise and sunset. • Times of Fast include: • Pre-Lent Fast: Fast one week before Lent • Lent: 40 days of fasting • Holy week • Advent (Fast of the Nativity), • Fast of the Apostles • Fast of the Virgin Saint Mary • Fast of Nineveh.

12. Feast Days • 7 Major Feasts • Christmas • Epiphany • Easter • Palm Sunday • Pentecost • Ascension • Annunciation

13. POPULATION • The Coptic Church finds its largest population in Egypt. Here there are 9 million practicing Copts as of 1992. • There are also Copts that have emigrated throughout the world. This number was close to 1.7 million as of 1992

14. Sacraments • Baptism • Confirmation • Eucharist • Penance • Orders • Unction of the Sick • Matrimony: the only sacrament that can not be preformed during a fasting period

15. Sacraments of Initiation • Baptism: performed on newborns within a few weeks of birth. The baby is totally immersed in water with the Trinitarian prayer • Confirmation: performed immediately after baptism • Confession: Regular confession with a parish priest is required to receive the Eucharist. It is encouraged that a whole family has the same confessor • Eucharist: Eucharist is to be received reguarly at Sunday Mass

16. Weddings • While the Coptics normally do not mix male and female during the mass, at Weddings they sit together • Weddings are not to be performed during fasting seasons

17. St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church • St Paul, MN • Founded in 1956 • Fr. Youannes F. Tawfik • Egyptian Ethnicity

18. St Mary’s Church Layout

19. Language: Aramaic • Follow the Coptic Orthodox Calendar of Martyrs • Three types of Liturgies: • The Liturgy according to Saint Basil, Bishop of Caesarea • The Liturgy according to Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople • The Liturgy according to Saint Cyril I, the 24th Pope of the Coptic Church • St Mary’s uses the Liturgy of St Basil

20. Scripture is used in readings and chants • Mass is celebrated daily; required on Sunday • Priests are ordained through Holy Orders and require Seminary. The Pope and Bishops must have come from a monastic background; they are monks • Mass is celebrated by the priest. Eucharist is the central part of the mass and is celebrated daily. All who have completed the sacraments of initiation may participate, if they have received regular confession. • Baptismal font is outside of worship place in separate room

21. Mass • Kiss icons • Remove shoes • Males on left and females on right • Procession with incense and chanting • Standing and kneeling • Sign of cross • Blessing with incense

22. Vestments

23. Altar behind this grill • Only priests and servers allowed behind • Grill opens and closes • Holy week outside of grill • Ornately decorated: very important

24. Song • Men and Women: St Mary’s all men • Dressed in identical vestments • Chant in Aramaic • Most of the Liturgy is Chanted • Choir uses song book • Whole church joins most of the chant • Cymbals • Song very slow and contemplative

25. The End