Difference between revisions of "Church of Alexandria"
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[[Image:Alexandria logo.gif|right|The Church of Alexandria]] | [[Image:Alexandria logo.gif|right|The Church of Alexandria]] | ||
| − | The '''Church of Alexandria''' | + | The '''Church of Alexandria''' is one of the [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] [[Orthodox Church]]es. Its [[primate]] is the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, the successor to the [[Apostle Mark|Apostle Mark the Evangelist]], who founded the Church of Alexandria in the 1st century. It is one of the five ancient [[patriarchate]]s of the early [[Church]], called the ''[[Pentarchy]]''. |
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | Since the [[schism]] occurring as a result of the political | + | Since the [[schism]] occurring as a result of the political and [[Christology|Christological]] controversies at the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] (451 A.D.), the portion of the Church of Alexandria loyal to Chalcedonian Christology has liturgically been Greek-speaking, the majority of its native (i.e., Coptic) population and their modern descendents becoming a part of the '''[[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox Church]]''' (i.e., [[Oriental Orthodox|non-Chalcedonian]]). |
== The Church Today == | == The Church Today == | ||
| − | In recent years, | + | In recent years, a considerable missionary effort was enacted by Pope [[Petros VII (Papapetrou) of Alexandria|Petros VII]]. During his seven years as patriarch (1997-2004), he worked tirelessly to spread the Orthodox Christian [[faith]] in Arab nations and throughout Africa, raising up native [[clergy]] and encouraging the use of local languages in the liturgical life of the Church. Missions spread and thrived in Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Cameroon, and elsewhere across the African continent. |
| − | Particularly sensitive to the nature of | + | Particularly sensitive to the nature of Christian expansion into [[Islam|Muslim]] countries, His Beatitude worked to promote mutual understanding and respect between Orthodox Christians and Muslims. His efforts were ended as the result of a helicopter crash on [[September 11]], 2004, in the Aegean Sea near Greece, killing him and several other clergy, including Bishop [[Nectarios (Kellis) of Madagascar|Nectarios of Madagascar]], another bishop with a profound missionary vision. |
| − | Today, some 300,000 | + | Today, some 300,000 Orthodox Christians comprise the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the highest number since the [[Roman Empire]]. The current primate of the Church of Alexandria is His Beatitude [[Theodoros II (Choreftakis) of Alexandria|Theodoros II]], Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 12:06, April 21, 2005
The Church of Alexandria is one of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches. Its primate is the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, the successor to the Apostle Mark the Evangelist, who founded the Church of Alexandria in the 1st century. It is one of the five ancient patriarchates of the early Church, called the Pentarchy.
History
Since the schism occurring as a result of the political and Christological controversies at the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.), the portion of the Church of Alexandria loyal to Chalcedonian Christology has liturgically been Greek-speaking, the majority of its native (i.e., Coptic) population and their modern descendents becoming a part of the Coptic Orthodox Church (i.e., non-Chalcedonian).
The Church Today
In recent years, a considerable missionary effort was enacted by Pope Petros VII. During his seven years as patriarch (1997-2004), he worked tirelessly to spread the Orthodox Christian faith in Arab nations and throughout Africa, raising up native clergy and encouraging the use of local languages in the liturgical life of the Church. Missions spread and thrived in Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Cameroon, and elsewhere across the African continent.
Particularly sensitive to the nature of Christian expansion into Muslim countries, His Beatitude worked to promote mutual understanding and respect between Orthodox Christians and Muslims. His efforts were ended as the result of a helicopter crash on September 11, 2004, in the Aegean Sea near Greece, killing him and several other clergy, including Bishop Nectarios of Madagascar, another bishop with a profound missionary vision.
Today, some 300,000 Orthodox Christians comprise the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the highest number since the Roman Empire. The current primate of the Church of Alexandria is His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
