His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the historical development of the Christian Church, beginning in Jerusalem and expanding to Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome, highlighting the spiritual and theological role of each Church in preserving the true faith.

🔹 The Early Apostolic Churches:
The first Church in history was the Church of Jerusalem, founded by the Apostles and regarded as the “Mother of Churches.” Later came the Churches of Alexandria and Antioch—both Apostolic and Orthodox in faith since their foundation.

🔹 The Theological Role of Alexandria:
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that Alexandria was the beacon of theological knowledge in the ancient world, establishing the first theological school. It produced great Fathers such as Athanasius the Apostolic and Cyril the Great. Even simple patriarchs like Demetrius the Vinedresser contributed to theology and the Church’s liturgical calendar, reflecting the deep spiritual intellect of the Copts.

🔹 The Early Ecumenical Councils:
He mentions the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), attended by 318 bishops and led theologically by St. Athanasius the Deacon of Alexandria, showing the Coptic Church’s leadership in defending Orthodox faith.

🔹 The Rise of Constantinople and Political Influence:
Constantinople was founded by Emperor Constantine after 313 A.D. and did not exist at the time of Nicaea. In 381 A.D., the Second Ecumenical Council ranked Rome first and Constantinople second—not for theological reasons but political ones, as both were imperial capitals. Thus, politics began to overshadow spiritual merit.

🔹 The Church Division and the Council of Chalcedon:
The Pope recounts how political and theological disputes led to the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.), which unjustly condemned Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria, marking the first schism in Church history. The Coptic Church, however, remained steadfast in its Orthodox faith despite persecution.

🔹 On the Primacy of Rome:
Pope Shenouda refutes the claim that St. Peter founded the Church of Rome, proving from Scripture that St. Paul was the one who preached there and lived two years teaching the Kingdom of God. He questions the logic of Rome’s primacy when St. John the Beloved lived 30 years after Peter—showing that Church leadership was never meant to be centralized or political.

🔹 Spiritual Message:
True greatness in the Church lies not in earthly authority but in humility and faithfulness to apostolic teaching. Christ taught His disciples that whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all. Thus, the Church’s glory is found in her faith and spiritual truth, not in worldly power.

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