The Church Before the Schism

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents a structured historical study about the Coptic Orthodox Church before the schism at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, explaining its foundation, teachings, fathers, theological schools, and its stance against heresies and persecutions.

1. Foundation of the Coptic Church

The Church began through Saint Mark the Apostle who established the preaching in Alexandria. After him, the patriarchs succeeded one another, preserving the true faith amid severe pagan persecutions.

2. Fathers before the Ecumenical Councils

His Holiness explained that the pre-council era was rich with theological and philosophical teaching, especially through the School of Alexandria founded by Saint Mark, which produced great teachers such as Athenagoras, Pantaenus, Clement, Origen, and Didymus the Blind. This school became a center of Christian apologetics and biblical interpretation.

3. Missionary Work

The Pope highlighted the Church’s missionary spirit beyond Egypt, such as Pantaenus’ preaching in India and Yemen, showing the Coptic Church’s apostolic and global nature from the beginning.

4. Great Patriarchs

He focused on key figures such as:

• Pope Demetrius the Vinedresser, who devised the Coptic Paschal Calculation, faced Origen’s theological errors wisely, and was affirmed by divine miracles in his life.

• Pope Dionysius the Great, who defended the faith against heresies like Chiliasm, Sabellianism, and the issue of rebaptism, standing firmly for Orthodox doctrine.

5. The Origen Controversy

The Pope explained that Origen’s excommunication was not personal but due to serious theological errors regarding the soul, Christ, and angels. Pope Demetrius and later councils in both East and West confirmed this decision as a defense of Orthodox faith.

6. Spiritual and Educational Aspect

Before the schism, the Coptic Church combined reason and faith, uniting deep philosophical study with living spirituality. It raised fathers who were balanced in thought, zealous for truth, and humble in service.
It also emphasized repentance, teaching, and doctrinal defense as essential pillars of the Church’s early growth.

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