Church of Alexandria
The lecture speaks about the greatness and historical significance of the Church of Alexandria as one of the oldest apostolic churches, founded by Saint Mark the Apostle. It emphasizes that the Alexandrian Church carried the banner of Orthodox faith to the world and stood firmly against heresies.
The Church of Alexandria in Church History
His Holiness explains that the Council of Nicaea placed the Alexandrian Church in the highest honor after Rome, and that its bishop had authority over the churches of Egypt, Libya, and Nubia. The Fathers of Alexandria led the theological debates of the ecumenical councils.
Saintly Defenders of the Faith
Saint Athanasius the Apostolic led the discussions of Nicaea in 325 AD and defeated Arianism, earning the title “Athanasius Contra Mundum.” Later, Saint Cyril the Great defended against Nestorius at the Council of Ephesus, and his anathemas became enduring Church canons.
Egyptian Monasticism and Its Global Role
The Pope explains that monasticism was born in Egypt through Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Pachomius, and that all global monastic rules came from Egypt. Saint Basil the Great drew from Pachomius’ laws, and Coptic monasticism spread throughout the Christian world.
Saint Mark the Apostle and the Founding of the Church
His Holiness confirms that Saint Mark founded the Alexandrian See, being from a devout Jewish family in Libya, learned in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He served with Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, wrote his Gospel by the Holy Spirit, and established the first church in his mother Mary’s house in Jerusalem, the place of the Last Supper and Pentecost.
The Theological School of Alexandria
Founded by Saint Mark as a center of knowledge and faith, it was led by Justus and later by great fathers like Clement, Origen, and Didymus the Blind, who defended the faith and developed symbolic biblical interpretation. The school produced many patriarchs and saints like Athanasius the Apostolic and became a theological beacon for the world.
The Alexandrian See and Its Transfer
The Pope traces how the patriarchal seat moved from Alexandria to Cairo in the 11th century, passing through several historical churches — the Hanging Church, Harat Zuweila, Harat al-Rum, and Azbakia — before reaching its current seat at Anba Reweis.
Monasticism and Patriarchal Elections
The early patriarchs were chosen from scholars and teachers, then gradually monks became patriarchs. Most modern popes have come from monasteries such as St. Macarius, Baramous, and St. Anthony, showing the monastic spirit leading the Church.
Spiritual Message
The spiritual essence of the lecture is that the Church of Alexandria is a Church of faith, knowledge, and endurance — founded by a martyr and teacher, upheld by saintly fathers, and continuing as the Mother of Orthodox Churches, preserving the apostolic faith and living tradition.
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