Is Coptic Orthodox the same as Greek Orthodox?
A:The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church is a separate church that is part of the little-known group of Christians called the Oriental Orthodox. Oriental Orthodox churches are not the same as the more familiar Eastern Orthodox group, which includes the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches.
What are icons in Greek Orthodox?
What are Icons? Icons are representations of the Heavenly. They are expressions of Orthodox Faith, teaching, and worship. The Greek word for “Icon” is, “Αγιογραφία,” which can be separated into two words: Άγιο, meaning Holy or not of this world (Heavenly)
What is the difference between Orthodox and Greek Orthodox?
Historically, the term “Greek Orthodox” has been used to describe all Eastern Orthodox churches in general, since the term “Greek” can refer to the heritage of the Byzantine Empire. Thus, Eastern Orthodox came to be called “Greek” Orthodox in the same way that the Western Christians came to be called “Roman” Catholic.
Did the Greek Orthodox Church allow icons?
Orthodox Christians view icons as visual representations of the people and stories of the Bible. As mentioned above, Greek churches are filled with icons and many Orthodox Christians also display them in their homes.
Can a Coptic Orthodox marry a Catholic?
The great majority of the churches of all three groups make provision for their faithful to marry Catholics. The excep- tions are the Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Malankara (Indian) Oriental Orthodox Churches, which do not bless interchurch marriages under any circumstances.
Are Copts descendants of pharaohs?
The Copts regard themselves as direct descendents of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs. The word Coptic originally meant ancient Egyptian. One of the first Christian missionaries, Saint Mark, introduced Christianity to Egypt in the first century A.D. Even back then, the Copts suffered persecution, first by the Romans.
What is icon and iconostasis?
In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis (Greek: εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. The iconostasis evolved from the Byzantine templon, a process complete by the 15th century.
Why do Orthodox have icons not statues?
Statues, as used in the Latin Confession, are three-dimensional and represent the person depicted as he or she was on this earth and Orthodox Christians do not get any sense of spirituality upon seeing them, whereas icons are found to be greatly inspirational and a call to greater holiness.
Does the Coptic church believe in the Trinity?
The Coptic Orthodox Church worships the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the oneness of nature. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three equal co-essential and co-indwelling hypostases (persons). The Blessed and Holy Trinity is our One God.